INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 101 A PSALM OF DAVID. The title of this psalm, in the Syriac version, is, "for Asaph, an exhortation of David, concerning those things which are required in the ministry of the house of the Lord; and a prophecy of the praise of the conqueror, and of the perfect man in God.''... [ Continue Reading ]
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:... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL BEHAVE MYSELF WISELY IN A PERFECT WAY, e.] So David did before he came to the throne, which made Saul fear him, and the people love him, 1 Samuel 18:14 and so he resolved to do, and did afterwards and thus it becomes all good men, in every station of life, to do: and then do they behave wisel... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SET NO WICKED THING BEFORE MINE EYES, Either the eyes of the body, which are the inlets of lust and are easily caught with objects that inflame the heart, and should be turned aside from beholding vanity; or the eyes of the mind; so the Targum, "I will not propose to my heart;'' or, as Kimc... [ Continue Reading ]
A FROWARD HEART SHALL DEPART FROM ME,.... A man of a froward heart, that devises frowardness in his heart, and speaks it out with his mouth; that which is perverse, and contrary to the law of God and Gospel of Christ, to the light of nature and the word of God; contrary to the sentiments of all good... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO PRIVILY SLANDERETH HIS NEIGHBOUR, HIM WILL I CUT OFF,.... That raises and spreads a false report of him; that insinuates evil things of him; that brings false charges and accusations against him, in a private manner, when he has no opportunity to defend himself: such an one David threatens to... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE EYES SHALL BE UPON THE FAITHFUL OF THE LAND,.... To look them out, bring them to court, and promote them to places of honour and trust; such an one was David himself, and such there were in the land of Israel, though but few, and of which he complains, Psalms 12:1. Christ's eyes are upon faithf... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT WORKETH DECEIT SHALL NOT DWELL WITHIN MY HOUSE,.... Flatterers, sycophants, tricking and fraudulent persons, who seek to supplant others, and get into their places; these should lose the favour they had, when detected. So hypocritical persons, that have only a form of godliness, a mask of re... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL EARLY DESTROY ALL THE WICKED OF THE LAND, e.] Of the land of Israel, signifying that he would make a general reformation throughout the kingdom that as soon as wicked men were discovered in any part of the land, he would cut them off, would take the first opportunity of punishing them as the... [ Continue Reading ]