Psalms 101:1-8
1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
2 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 will set no wickeda thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5 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 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 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarryb in my sight.
8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
A fine sense of the fitness of things is exhibited by the editor of the psalter in placing this psalm here. Following immediately upon the songs of the enthroned Jehovah, in which there has been perpetually recurrent the recognition of the holiness of His reign, it describes the true attitude of the earthly ruler who recognises the sovereignty of God, and how that ought to affect his own life and rule. It is clear testimony moreover, to the fact that private and public life are very closely allied.
It has two movements. The key note of the first is “within my house” (v. Psa 101:2). That of the second is “the city of God.” Between these there is the closest relation. No man is able to make the city in which he dwells anything like the city of God who does not know how to behave himself in his own house. This is the true order also. The first thing for every public man to do who would serve his city for God, is to see to it that his private life is ordered aright before Him. The private life which answers the enthroned Jehovah is described first (vv. Psa 101:1-4). It is a life cautious and watchful, refusing to countenance anything contrary to the holiness of Jehovah. The public life is one which respects the same holiness in all matters of administration. Evil workers are to be destroyed, and the counsellors of the ruler are to be sought among the faithful of the land.