Psalms 101

David setteth forth himself and his Court for an example, testifying his readiness of advancing and honouring the good, and of punishing and banishing the wicked.

1. A Psalm of David: I will sing of kindness and right: [i.e. to shew kindness to the godly honest, and to punish the wicked, are two parts or points, which become a good King well and David here engageth himself to practise, being established once in his Kingdom. Others, understand these words thus; I will sing of kindness, viz. Of the grace and favour which the Lord hath shewed and performed to me: and of right, viz. Which God hath manifested in the punishment of my persecutor Saul] to thee shall I sing Psalms, O LORD.

2. I will deal discreetly in the upright way: when wilt thou come to me? [viz. To put me in possession of the Kingdom, which thou hast promised me. See 1 Sam.18.14. others, when thou shalt be come to me; i.e. have settled me, etc. I will in the midst of mine house, [i.e. in the government and administration of my Court and servants there] In the uprightness of my heart.

3. I will set no Belials part [Or word, or, thing of Belial, See Deut.13.13.] before mine eyes: I hate the practise of them that fall off, [or of the backsliders: i.e. of those which of set purpose turn aside from the right way] it shall not cleave unto me. [the said practise namely of the revolters.]

4. The perverse heart shall turn from me: [i.e. him, that is of a perverse heart or mind, I shall banish away from me, or turn him out of service] the evil [man namely, or person] I will not know. [i.e. take no notice of, not affect nor care for; as Psal.1.6.or, not receive, viz. Into my service.]

5. Him, that secretly backbiteth, [Heb. Betongueth, i.e. hurteth with his tongue, which is the backbiters peculiar practice, Psalms 140:12. speaks of a man of the tongue, meaning a backbiter] I will destroy: him that is lofty, (or high) of eyes: and stout of heart, [Hebr. Broad or, large of heart, that is, stout and presumptuous, proud and spightful, as Prov.21.4.] I will not endure.

6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful in the land to sit by me: [viz. When I shall sit in judgement, or in Counsel, for debating of weighty affairs: others, for to dwell with me] he that walketh in the upright way, he shall serve me. [i.e. him shall I entrust with places and offices as well in Court, as in City ad Country, throughout the Kingdom.]

7. He that useth deceit shall not remain within my house: [Heb. In the midst of my house: understand withal; but I will turn or keep him out thence] he that speaketh lies, shall not be established before mine eyes.

8. Every morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land, [Heb. In the mornings, etc. As Psalms 73:14. i.e. every morning. The sence of these word is, that he would daily or immediately, namely, as soon as ever he should be settled once in the Kingdom, endeavour to repress and suppress all wickedness; or every morning, i.e. in the Court of judgement which usually was kept in the morning: See 2 Sam.15.2. and Jerem.21.12, etc.] to extirpate all the workers of iniquity, out of the City of the LORD.