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Psalm 101

A Sovereign’s Pledge of Integrity and Justice

Of David. A Psalm.

I will sing of loyalty and of justice;

to you, O L ord, I will sing.

I will study the way that is blameless.

When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart

within my house;

I will not set before my eyes

anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away;

it shall not cling to me.

Perverseness of heart shall be far from me;

I will know nothing of evil.

One who secretly slanders a neighbor

I will destroy.

A haughty look and an arrogant heart

I will not tolerate.

I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,

so that they may live with me;

whoever walks in the way that is blameless

shall minister to me.

No one who practices deceit

shall remain in my house;

no one who utters lies

shall continue in my presence.

Morning by morning I will destroy

all the wicked in the land,

cutting off all evildoers

from the city of the L ord.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

7 He who worketh deceit shall not dwell in the midst of my house This verse may be explained of all magistrates to whose charge the exercise of public judgments is committed, as well as of household servants. But as David has just now spoken in general of all officers, he seems now to speak properly of those who are near the person of the king. When the chief counsellors of kings and other intimate acquaintances who have gained possession of their ears, are deceitful and crafty, this becomes the source of all corruptions; for by their example they encourage others in evil, lifting up as it were the banner of licentiousness. And it is impossible that he who does not maintain good order in his own house, can be a fit person for holding the government of a whole realm. The authority which cannot preserve its influence under the domestic roof is of little worth in state affairs.