Psalms 101:1-9

1 oratio pauperis cum anxius fuerit et coram Domino effuderit precem suam
2 Domine exaudi orationem meam et clamor meus ad te veniat
3 non avertas faciem tuam a me in quacumque die tribulor inclina ad me aurem tuam in quacumque die invocavero te velociter exaudi me
4 quia defecerunt sicut fumus dies mei et ossa mea sicut gremium aruerunt
5 percussum est ut faenum et aruit cor meum quia oblitus sum comedere panem meum
6 a voce gemitus mei adhesit os meum carni meae
7 similis factus sum pelicano solitudinis factus sum sicut nycticorax in domicilio
8 vigilavi et factus sum sicut passer solitarius in tecto
9 tota die exprobrabant mihi inimici mei et qui laudabant me adversus me iurabant

Psalms 101:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 101

\\<>\\. The title of this psalm, in the Syriac version, is, ``for Asaph, an exhortation of David, concerning those things which are required in the ministry of the house of the Lord; and a prophecy of the praise of the conqueror, and of the perfect man in God.'' Theodoret thinks it was written by David concerning good Josiah, whom he foresaw, by a spirit of prophecy, would rise up a great reformer of the people, and whom he proposes as a pattern of perfection to others; but it was, no doubt, written by him of himself; very likely, after he was delivered out of his troubles by the death of Saul, and was come to the kingdom, since he resolves to "sing of mercy and judgment": though by the interrogation, "when wilt thou come unto me?" it looks as if he had not arrived to the height of his honour: wherefore, perhaps, this psalm was penned between his being made king over Judah, and his being made king over all the tribes; but, be it as it may, the design of it is to show his resolutions, how he would behave as a king in his court, and as a master in his family; so that it is very instructive to kings and civil magistrates, and to parents and masters of families: and as David was a type of Christ, he seems, throughout the whole, to represent him; and, indeed, there are some things in it which agree with none so well as with him; such as behaving wisely, in a perfect way, and walking in his house with a perfect heart; not suffering any evil thing to cleave unto him, and knowing none, and the like.

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.