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.
CI. The Ideal Ruler. The main purport is clear. The ideal ruler is faithful to the high standard which he sets before himself (Psalms 101:2 b - Psalms 101:4). He requires (Psalms 101:5) the same strict observance from others. The crux of the Ps. is 1, 2 a. Mercy and judgment, unless another meaning is suggested by the context, would refer to the Divine mercy and justice, but of this the Psalmist makes no mention. The question, moreover, When wilt thou come unto me? is puzzling. The ruler seems to have no special difficulty or distress such as the question implies. Perhaps the introduction belonged to another Ps. and was prefixed to the didactic poem which follows in order to fit the Ps. for liturgical use. Or we may accept the emendation, I will keep mercy and judgment. I will give heed to the way of the perfect, let it come before me.
Psalms 101:8. morning by morning: i.e. constantly.