Psalms 101:3-8

3 I will not look at anything wicked. I hate those who turn against you; they will not be found near me.
4 Let those who want to do wrong stay away from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.
5 If anyone secretly says things against his neighbor, I will stop him. I will not allow people to be proud and look down on others.
6 I will look for trustworthy people so I can live with them in the land. Only those who live innocent lives will be my servants.
7 No one who is dishonest will live in my house; no liars will stay around me.
8 Every morning I will destroy the wicked in the land. I will rid the Lord's city of people who do evil. A prayer of a person who is suffering when he is discouraged and tells the Lord his complaints.

Psalms 101:3-8 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.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.