Psalms 101

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 101

A psalm of David describing his commitment to live with integrity as a leader. He pledges to walk blamelessly in his house and to surround himself with faithful, honest people.

Scripture

A Pledge to Live with Integrity

Study note

David will sing of God's love and justice. He will be careful to lead a blameless life. He will not tolerate anything worthless or crooked in his house. He hates the work of those who fall away.

1 I want to sing about your loyal love and your fair dealings. Lord, I will make music to honor you. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

2 I will pay attention to living a clean and honest life. When will you come to me? In my own home, I will walk around with a pure heart. 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.

3 I refuse to look at anything that is worthless or trashy. I hate it when people turn away from doing right; that kind of thing will have no hold on me. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

4 A crooked mind will stay far from me. I want nothing to do with what is evil. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

Standards for Those Around the King

Study note

David will silence anyone who secretly slanders their neighbor. He will not tolerate the proud or deceitful. His eyes are on the faithful, and he will cut off evildoers from the city of the Lord each morning.

5 If someone secretly talks trash about their neighbor, I will put a stop to it. I cannot stand people with proud eyes and a heart full of themselves. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

6 I will keep my eyes open for faithful people in the land so they can serve alongside me. Only those who live with honesty will work for me. 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.

7 Nobody who plays tricks or lies will have a place in my house. Liars will not be welcome in my presence. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

8 Every morning I will clear the land of those who do evil. I will sweep every wrongdoer out of the Lord's city. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 101

A leader's pledge to live with integrityGuarding the eyes and the homeRefusing to tolerate wickednessPersonal holiness as the foundation of leadership

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 101

David set standards for his own life before setting them for his kingdom. Good leadership starts with personal integrity. What you allow in your home and your heart will eventually shape everything you lead. Take time today to ask: what standards am I setting for my own life?

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