Psalms 101

This is a short Psalm, so I will go through it verse by verse. Lots of good details and many things to keep track of.

(All Scriptures are NKJV and from http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.cfm.)

Ps 101:1

A Psalm of David. I WILL sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

As with many of the Psalms, it starts with a focus on God, praising Him for who He is. Notice how mercy and justice are paired together. These are not normally thought of together, since justice seems "harsh" and mercy seems "soft", but they really are the same part of the God we serve. In fact, it is quite possible you can't have mercy without a foundation of justice! That is worth more study.

Ps 101:2

I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

This is an almost prideful statement by the psalmist. While I aim for wise actions in perfection, I am human and fall far short. I don't think the psalmist was really any different, but I think this does illustrate what should be our aim point - doing right and good at all times!

Ps 101:3

I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.

This is quite difficult in the modern world. It is far too easy to partake of some really crass stuff in the modern media and society. In fact, some seem compelled to be "nasty" on purpose! I am not perfect here, but that has never been the huge pull for me it is for some. Oh that we might all focus on what is right rather than what is wicked.

Ps 101:4

A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.

This continues the same thought. Note that this follows the determination to not look at the perverse and therefore let it flow into our eyes. Continually watching what is wrong will ultimately lead us astray. Staying away from it will help remove a lot of hassle from our lives!

Ps 101: 5

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.

Now the psalmist grows into a mode of protecting others. The first part fits with defending others, especially those who cannot defend themselves. It is important that we don't take this to be a commission to fix everything wrong, but rather a command to fix what comes across our path.

The second part seems to fit more with keeping ourselves from the crass. I often tend to "not suffer fools gladly." While this can be too harsh at times, we do have to actively keep ourselves away from those who walk in a great deal of self-pride. Otherwise we will tend to be just like that. And that is not good for any of us!

Ps 101:6

My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me.

Now the attention is shifted to the positive to focus on. This fits with Jesus' command to fill the vacated house lest something worse comes back in. (Matt 12:44, Luke 11:25)

The last line seems a bit arrogant. It could be that this was David speaking as a King, who would certainly have servants. It also could be that this really is talking about a kind of "serving one another" rather than a master-slave relationship.

Modern business is (and should be) very much about serving others. Those who serve will generally do better. As we focus on what is right, those who also focus on that will supply us with the many things we need.

Ps 101:7

He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.

The psalmist now goes back to a focus on what he will keep out of his life. This back and forth between what we will and won't focus on and tolerate in our lives is a key part of walking out this life. We must keep ourselves aligned here and we will do well!

Ps 101:8

Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.

This psalm has a rather abrupt ending, but continues the focus of the previous verse on what is kept out of our lives. Clearly this is not the only focus for us, but it is a good thing to ponder and consider at times in our lives.

Brad