101 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.

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.

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

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.

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.

101 1 David describeth what government he will observe in his house and kingdom. 5 He will punish and correct, by rooting forth the wicked, 6 and cherishing the godly persons.

A Psalm of David.

I will [a]sing mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.

I will do wisely in the perfect way, [b]till thou comest to me, I will walk in the uprightness of mine heart in the midst of my house.

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate [c]the work of them that fall away: it shall not cleave unto me.

A froward heart shall depart from me; I will know none evil.

Him that privily [d]slandereth his neighbor, will I destroy: him that hath a proud look and high heart, I cannot suffer.

Mine eyes shall be unto the [e]faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

There shall no deceitful person dwell within my house: he that telleth lies, shall not remain in my sight.

[f]Betimes will I destroy all the wicked of the land that I may cut off all the workers of iniquity from the City of the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 101:1 David considereth what manner of King he would be, when God should place him in the throne, promising openly, that he would be merciful and just.
  2. Psalm 101:2 Though as yet thou deferrest to place me in the Kingly dignity, yet will I give myself to wisdom and uprightness being a private man.
  3. Psalm 101:3 He showeth that Magistrates do not their duties, except they be enemies to all vice.
  4. Psalm 101:5 In promising to punish these vices, which are most pernicious in them that are about Kings, he declareth that he will punish all.
  5. Psalm 101:6 He showeth what is the true use of the sword: to punish the wicked, and to maintain the good.
  6. Psalm 101:8 Magistrates must immediately punish vice, lest it grow to further inconvenience: and if heathen magistrates are bound to do this, how much more they that have the charge of the Church of God?