Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 101

A Sovereign’s Pledge of Integrity and Justice

Of David. A Psalm.

I will sing of loyalty and of justice;
    to you, O Lord, I will sing.
I will study the way that is blameless.
    When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart
    within my house;
I will not set before my eyes
    anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away;
    it shall not cling to me.
Perverseness of heart shall be far from me;
    I will know nothing of evil.

One who secretly slanders a neighbor
    I will destroy.
A haughty look and an arrogant heart
    I will not tolerate.

I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
    so that they may live with me;
whoever walks in the way that is blameless
    shall minister to me.

No one who practices deceit
    shall remain in my house;
no one who utters lies
    shall continue in my presence.

Morning by morning I will destroy
    all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all evildoers
    from the city of the Lord.

101 1 David describeth what government he will observe in his house and kingdom. 5 He will punish and correct, by rooting forth the wicked, 6 and cherishing the godly persons.

A Psalm of David.

I will [a]sing mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.

I will do wisely in the perfect way, [b]till thou comest to me, I will walk in the uprightness of mine heart in the midst of my house.

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate [c]the work of them that fall away: it shall not cleave unto me.

A froward heart shall depart from me; I will know none evil.

Him that privily [d]slandereth his neighbor, will I destroy: him that hath a proud look and high heart, I cannot suffer.

Mine eyes shall be unto the [e]faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

There shall no deceitful person dwell within my house: he that telleth lies, shall not remain in my sight.

[f]Betimes will I destroy all the wicked of the land that I may cut off all the workers of iniquity from the City of the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 101:1 David considereth what manner of King he would be, when God should place him in the throne, promising openly, that he would be merciful and just.
  2. Psalm 101:2 Though as yet thou deferrest to place me in the Kingly dignity, yet will I give myself to wisdom and uprightness being a private man.
  3. Psalm 101:3 He showeth that Magistrates do not their duties, except they be enemies to all vice.
  4. Psalm 101:5 In promising to punish these vices, which are most pernicious in them that are about Kings, he declareth that he will punish all.
  5. Psalm 101:6 He showeth what is the true use of the sword: to punish the wicked, and to maintain the good.
  6. Psalm 101:8 Magistrates must immediately punish vice, lest it grow to further inconvenience: and if heathen magistrates are bound to do this, how much more they that have the charge of the Church of God?