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?

Psalm 101

Of David. A psalm.

I will sing of your love(A) and justice;
    to you, Lord, I will sing praise.
I will be careful to lead a blameless life(B)
    when will you come to me?

I will conduct the affairs(C) of my house
    with a blameless heart.
I will not look with approval
    on anything that is vile.(D)

I hate what faithless people do;(E)
    I will have no part in it.
The perverse of heart(F) shall be far from me;
    I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

Whoever slanders their neighbor(G) in secret,
    I will put to silence;
whoever has haughty eyes(H) and a proud heart,
    I will not tolerate.

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
    that they may dwell with me;
the one whose walk is blameless(I)
    will minister to me.

No one who practices deceit
    will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely
    will stand in my presence.

Every morning(J) I will put to silence
    all the wicked(K) in the land;
I will cut off every evildoer(L)
    from the city of the Lord.(M)