PSALM 101 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed by David between times of God's promising the kingdom to him and his actual and plenary possession of it, as appears both from PSALMS 101:2, and from the contexture of the Psalm, wherein he speaks not of his present practice, but of his purpose for the... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL BEHAVE MYSELF WISELY IN A PERFECT WAY; I will manage all my affairs with wisdom and integrity; which are two chief qualifications requisite for all men, MATTHEW 10:16 and most necessary in princes. O WHEN WILT THOU COME UNTO ME? O when wilt thou give me the kingdom which hast promised me, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE MINE EYES, to wit, to look upon it with deliberation and design, or with desire and delight, as this phrase here and elsewhere implies. If any ungodly or unjust thing shall be suggested to me, whatsoever specious pretences it may be covered with, as reason of state or worldly advantage, I wil... [ Continue Reading ]
A FROWARD HEART; a man of a corrupt mind and wicked life, such as other princes choose and prefer, as being suitable to themselves, and to their wicked designs. SHALL DEPART FROM ME; shall be turned out of my court, lest they should tempt me, or infect the rest of my family, or be injurious or scand... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO PRIVILY SLANDERETH HIS NEIGHBOUR; such as by secret and false informations and accusations of others seek to gain my favour, and to advance themselves by the ruin of others; which are the common pests of courts and kingdoms. AN HIGH LOOK AND A PROUD HEART: these he mentions, because pride is t... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE EYES SHALL BE UPON THE FAITHFUL; either, 1. To find them out. Or, 2. To favour or encourage them, as this phrase is oft used, as PSALMS 34:15 JEREMIAH 39:12, JEREMIAH 40:4. _The faithful_; men of truth, justice, and integrity, who will be faithful, first to God, and then to me and to my peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT WORKETH DECEIT; he who shall use any frauds, or cheats, or subtle artifices to abuse or wrong any of my people; which David's courtiers were more likely to endeavour, because he would not permit any open violence. HE THAT TELLETH LIES; he that shall abuse me with lies, as courtiers usually d... [ Continue Reading ]
EARLY; speedily, and without delay, as soon as I arise in the morning, or as soon as I am seated in the throne, that so I may both prevent all that mischief which otherwise they might do, and hinder the infection of others by their evil example, and discourage and deter all my subjects from the like... [ Continue Reading ]