Psalm 101
- I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.
- I 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.
- I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
- A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
- Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
- Mine 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.
- He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
- I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.
Psalm 101 is a declaration of commitment to righteousness and integrity in personal conduct and leadership. The psalmist begins by expressing their intention to sing of both mercy and judgment, indicating a desire to balance compassion with justice in their actions.
The psalmist pledges to conduct themselves wisely and with integrity, particularly within their household, striving for a perfect heart before the Lord. They resolve to avoid the influence of wickedness, refusing to entertain sinful thoughts or associate with those who turn aside from God’s ways.
Furthermore, the psalmist promises to uphold standards of truthfulness and righteousness in their interactions with others. They vow to cut off slanderous individuals and those with proud and deceitful hearts from their company, instead choosing to surround themselves with the faithful.
The psalm concludes with a determination to eradicate wickedness from the land, seeking to establish a community where righteousness reigns and evildoers are expelled. This commitment reflects the psalmist’s desire for a society that reflects the values and principles of the city of the Lord.
Psalm 101 serves as a call to personal and societal righteousness, emphasizing the importance of integrity, honesty, and justice in both individual conduct and communal life. It challenges believers to uphold high standards of moral behavior and to actively oppose wickedness in all its forms.