Psalms 101
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Psalms 101
I Will Sing of Mercy and Judgment
1I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
The Pulpit Commentary
I will sing of mercy and judgment. The writer does not mean that he is about, in this present psalm, to sing of God's mercy and justice, but that he will make it one of the rules of his life to do so. Unto thee, O Lord, will I sing; or, "will I make melody" (Cheyne, Kay).
I will sing of mercy and judgment. The writer does not mean that he is about, in this present psalm, to sing of God's mercy and justice, but that he will make it one of the rules of his life to do so. Unto thee, O Lord, will I sing; or, "will I make melody" (Cheyne, Kay).
2I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 101
Psa 101:1-8. In this Psalm the profession of the principles of his domestic and political government testifies, as well as actions in accordance with it, David's appreciation of God's mercy to him, and His judgment on his enemies: and thus he sings or celebrates God's dealings.
2. He avows his sincere purpose, by God's aid, to act uprightly (Ge 17:1; Psa 18:30).
PSALM 101
Psa 101:1-8. In this Psalm the profession of the principles of his domestic and political government testifies, as well as actions in accordance with it, David's appreciation of God's mercy to him, and His judgment on his enemies: and thus he sings or celebrates God's dealings.
2. He avows his sincere purpose, by God's aid, to act uprightly (Ge 17:1; Psa 18:30).
The Pulpit Commentary
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way (comp. Psa_18:22; Isa_26:7). The psalmist aspires after "perfectness." Then feeling his inability to walk in the perfect way by his own strength, he cries to God for aid—O when wilt thou come unto me? "Unless," i.e; "thou come unto me, I cannot keep one of these resolutions. O Lord, come quickly." I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. It is not only the "way," or conduct, that requires to be "perfect," but the "heart" also, or the motives from which the conduct springs.
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way (comp. Psa_18:22; Isa_26:7). The psalmist aspires after "perfectness." Then feeling his inability to walk in the perfect way by his own strength, he cries to God for aid—O when wilt thou come unto me? "Unless," i.e; "thou come unto me, I cannot keep one of these resolutions. O Lord, come quickly." I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. It is not only the "way," or conduct, that requires to be "perfect," but the "heart" also, or the motives from which the conduct springs.
3I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. set ... eyes--as an example to be approved and followed.
no wicked thing--literally, "word," plan or purpose of Belial (Psa 41:8).
work of ... aside--apostates.
not cleave to me--I will not be implicated in it (compare Psa 1:1-3).
3. set ... eyes--as an example to be approved and followed.
no wicked thing--literally, "word," plan or purpose of Belial (Psa 41:8).
work of ... aside--apostates.
not cleave to me--I will not be implicated in it (compare Psa 1:1-3).
The Pulpit Commentary
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes; or, no base thing (Revised Version); "no villainous thing" (Cheyne, Kay); comp. Deu_15:9. I will set before me nothing of this kind, "as an object either of imitation or of attainment." I hate the work of them that turn aside; literally, the doing of acts that swerve; i.e. "that depart from the right way." It shall not cleave to me. If such a thing "seized on him unawares, he would shake it off as a thing accursed" (Kay); comp. Deu_13:17.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes; or, no base thing (Revised Version); "no villainous thing" (Cheyne, Kay); comp. Deu_15:9. I will set before me nothing of this kind, "as an object either of imitation or of attainment." I hate the work of them that turn aside; literally, the doing of acts that swerve; i.e. "that depart from the right way." It shall not cleave to me. If such a thing "seized on him unawares, he would shake it off as a thing accursed" (Kay); comp. Deu_13:17.
4A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. A froward heart--or, "perverse heart" (Psa 18:26). Such a temper I will not indulge, nor even know evil or wickedness.
4. A froward heart--or, "perverse heart" (Psa 18:26). Such a temper I will not indulge, nor even know evil or wickedness.
The Pulpit Commentary
A froward heart shall depart from me; i.e. I will put away from me all perversity of heart; I will root it out and rid myself of it. I will not know a wicked person. This is a possible meaning, but it is better to translate, with our Revisers, "I will know no evil thing." The "principles of private conduct" may be summed up under the four heads of
(1) devotion;
(2) endeavour after perfectness;
(3) avoidance of evil;
(4) hatred of it.
A froward heart shall depart from me; i.e. I will put away from me all perversity of heart; I will root it out and rid myself of it. I will not know a wicked person. This is a possible meaning, but it is better to translate, with our Revisers, "I will know no evil thing." The "principles of private conduct" may be summed up under the four heads of
(1) devotion;
(2) endeavour after perfectness;
(3) avoidance of evil;
(4) hatred of it.
5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5-6. The slanderers and haughty persons, so mischievous in society, I will disown; but--
5-6. The slanderers and haughty persons, so mischievous in society, I will disown; but--
The Pulpit Commentary
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I out off. (On the heinousness of slander, see Psa_15:3; Psa_31:13; Psa_50:20, etc.) It is probably not meant that the slanderer will be put to death, but only that he will be banished, at any rate from the court, and, so far as possible, put down. Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. "Lofty looks" and a "proud heart" are again conjoined in Pro_21:4, Solomon showing that he paid attention to his father's lessons. David himself disclaims both in Psa_131:1.
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I out off. (On the heinousness of slander, see Psa_15:3; Psa_31:13; Psa_50:20, etc.) It is probably not meant that the slanderer will be put to death, but only that he will be banished, at any rate from the court, and, so far as possible, put down. Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. "Lofty looks" and a "proud heart" are again conjoined in Pro_21:4, Solomon showing that he paid attention to his father's lessons. David himself disclaims both in Psa_131:1.
6Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
The Pulpit Commentary
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land; i.e. "my favour shall be shown to them; I will give them help and encouragement." That they may dwell with me; i.e. "frequent my court," either as officials or as simple courtiers. He that walketh in a perfect way (see the comment on Psa_101:2). He shall serve me; i.e. "shall be promoted to office under my government."
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land; i.e. "my favour shall be shown to them; I will give them help and encouragement." That they may dwell with me; i.e. "frequent my court," either as officials or as simple courtiers. He that walketh in a perfect way (see the comment on Psa_101:2). He shall serve me; i.e. "shall be promoted to office under my government."
7He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. not dwell--literally, "not sit," or tarry, or be established.
7. not dwell--literally, "not sit," or tarry, or be established.
The Pulpit Commentary
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house. It is the duty of a king to see, not only that his own ways are blameless, but that his entire household is well ordered, and consists of righteous persons (comp. Job_1:5). "Deceit" here means "wickedness" generally. He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight; literally, shall not be established; i.e. shall not keep his position in my court, but be banished from it. "Lying" is one of the sins which the psalmists denounce most frequently (see Psa_31:18; Psa_40:4; Psa_52:3; Psa_58:3; Psa_59:12; Psa_62:4; Psa_63:11; Psa_119:163, etc.).
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house. It is the duty of a king to see, not only that his own ways are blameless, but that his entire household is well ordered, and consists of righteous persons (comp. Job_1:5). "Deceit" here means "wickedness" generally. He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight; literally, shall not be established; i.e. shall not keep his position in my court, but be banished from it. "Lying" is one of the sins which the psalmists denounce most frequently (see Psa_31:18; Psa_40:4; Psa_52:3; Psa_58:3; Psa_59:12; Psa_62:4; Psa_63:11; Psa_119:163, etc.).
8I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. will early--or, "diligently."
city of the Lord--or, "holy place" (Psa 48:2), where wicked men shall not be tolerated.
8. will early--or, "diligently."
city of the Lord--or, "holy place" (Psa 48:2), where wicked men shall not be tolerated.
The Pulpit Commentary
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; literally, each morn will I root out all the wicked of the land; i.e. "day after day I will make it my endeavour, not only to keep my palace free from evil doers, but to cleanse the whole land of them." David is determined to exercise that just severity which is a part of the duty of kings (Rom_13:4), and not to be that curse to a country—a weak and over-indulgent ruler (see Calvin, ad loc.). That I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord. So long as there were "wicked doers" in the land, they would be sure to flock to Jerusalem, since the capital always attracts the criminal classes. David is especially anxious that Jerusalem, which he has made "the city of the Lord" (2Sa_6:12-19), shall be kept free from the pollutions of evil doers, but, to effect this object, he must purge the whole land. The spirit breathed is that of Psa_15:1-5.
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; literally, each morn will I root out all the wicked of the land; i.e. "day after day I will make it my endeavour, not only to keep my palace free from evil doers, but to cleanse the whole land of them." David is determined to exercise that just severity which is a part of the duty of kings (Rom_13:4), and not to be that curse to a country—a weak and over-indulgent ruler (see Calvin, ad loc.). That I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord. So long as there were "wicked doers" in the land, they would be sure to flock to Jerusalem, since the capital always attracts the criminal classes. David is especially anxious that Jerusalem, which he has made "the city of the Lord" (2Sa_6:12-19), shall be kept free from the pollutions of evil doers, but, to effect this object, he must purge the whole land. The spirit breathed is that of Psa_15:1-5.
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Psalms
Chapter 101
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
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“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — PSALM 119:105