Christianity

Psalms 101A King's Vow of Integrity

Summary

Psalm 101, attributed to David, is a royal pledge that begins by singing of mercy and judgment. The speaker vows to walk within his house with a perfect heart, set no wicked thing before his eyes, and refuse the company of the slanderer, the proud and the deceitful. He promises to seek out the faithful of the land to serve him and to cut off evildoers from the city of the LORD. It is often read as a charter for those who hold power.

Key verse

“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.”

Psalms 101:2

Themes

Integrity in Leadership
Personal Holiness
Choosing Companions
Justice in the City

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.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Confucianism
Analects 2: Governing by Virtue
Analects 2 opens with Confucius comparing a ruler who governs by virtue to the north polar star around which the other stars turn. Like Psalm 101 it ties good government to the ruler's personal character, though without the psalm's covenant with God.
Christianity
Proverbs 16: The Throne Established by Righteousness
Proverbs 16:12 says wickedness is an abomination to kings because the throne is established by righteousness, the same ideal Psalm 101 expresses as a personal vow.

Questions about Psalms 101

What does 'I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes' mean?

Psalm 101:3 is a vow to refuse to look with approval on anything base or worthless. Many readers apply it today to choices about what they watch and read.

Who is the speaker of Psalm 101?

The heading attributes it to David, and its promises to purge the land and choose faithful servants fit a king. Scholars often classify it as a royal psalm, perhaps used when a king took office.