Psalms 101:1

1 I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing.

Psalms 101:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 101:1

I will sing of mercy and judgment
Either of mercy and justice, exercised by him towards his people, which he resolved to do, and did, ( 2 Samuel 8:15 ) which are two very principal points in government, are the glory of a reign, the support of the throne, and the happiness of a people, ( Proverbs 20:28 ) , or rather of the mercy of God to himself, in delivering him from his enemies, and raising him to the throne; and of the judgment of God in maintaining his cause, and avenging him on those that hated him: every good man has reason to sing of the "mercy" of God; not only of his providential mercy, but of his special mercy, prepared in council and covenant for him, displayed in regeneration, in the pardon of sin, and in his everlasting salvation: or of "grace" and goodness, as the word F6 signifies; of the grace and goodness of God laid up in Christ, shown forth through him, and to which the whole of salvation is owing; singing of this shows a sense of it, thankfulness for it, and a cheerful disposition of soul, in a view of interest in it: and he may also sing of "judgment": of righteous punishment inflicted upon his enemies, and the enemies of God, and Christ, and true religion; not as taking delight in the misery of fellow creatures, but as rejoicing in the glory of divine justice displayed therein, and in a deliverance from them; as Israel did at the Red sea; and as the church will, when Babylon is destroyed: moreover, a good man may sing of mercy and judgment together, with respect to himself; there being, in the course of his life, a mixture of prosperity and adversity, of merciful and afflictive dispensations, which work together for his good; and he has reason to be thankful for the one as for the other, as Job was, ( Job 1:21 ) , so the Targum,

``if thou renderest mercy to me; if thou exercisest judgment on me; for all I will praise thee:''

judgment sometimes signifies chastisement, ( Jeremiah 10:24 ) ( 1 Corinthians 11:32 ) , it may be understood of Christ, who sung of the mercy of God, as shown in the mission of him into the world to save men, and which was glorified in their redemption by him; and of the justice of God exercised on him, as their surety, on whom judgment came unto condemnation for their sins; and when the sword of justice was awaked against him, the hand of mercy was turned on the little ones, ( Zechariah 13:7 ) ,

unto thee, O Lord, will I sing;
on the above subjects.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (dox) "gratiam", Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 101:1 In-Context

1 I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing.
2 I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
4 Perverseness of heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.
5 One who secretly slanders a neighbor I will destroy. A haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not tolerate.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.