시편 Chapter 101

Translation: ESV

1

I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music.

Key Message

A true leader grounds governance in steadfast love and justice, and begins his reign with praise directed toward God.

▸David proclaims his governing principles before God as king.

David proclaims his governing principles before God as king. 'Steadfast love (hesed)' and 'justice (mishpat)' are the core virtues of God's own character, and David confesses that his reign will be built on these two pillars. By opening with praise to God, he acknowledges that royal authority derives from the LORD.

Related Verses

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
2

I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house.

Key Message

Wholesome governance begins with the resolve to live blamelessly before God not only in public conduct but in private life as well.

▸David confesses that he will attend to 'the blameless way (derek tamim).

3

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Key Message

Holy governance begins with governance of the eyes; one must make a deliberate decision not to set anything evil before them.

▸The king resolves not to set anything worthless before his eyes.

4

A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.

Key Message

Separation from evil must take place not only in external actions but first from within the heart.

▸David desires that a perverse heart depart from him, and declares that he will 'know nothing' of evil.

5

Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.

Key Message

A leader of a community must firmly confront the two vices of slander and arrogance.

▸David declares he will not tolerate secret slander or pride in his kingdom.

6

I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.

Key Message

A righteous leader establishes the faithful and those who walk the blameless way, creating a just community.

▸In the place where the wicked are excluded, David will establish the faithful.

7

No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.

Key Message

To build a truthful governing community, those who speak lies must be resolutely excluded.

▸This is a declaration to completely exclude those who practice deceit from the king's house.

8

Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.

Key Message

A just king makes the eradication of evil from the city of God his unceasing mission.

▸David declares he will judge the wicked morning by morning, that is, continually.