Psalm 101 Study Notes

101:1 The king’s responsibilities toward his people consisted of faithful love (Hb chesed, “covenant loyalty”) and justice, prompting his promise to live with integrity and to eradicate God’s enemies.

101:2 Integrity is a cultic term denoting the lack of imperfections or blemishes. It refers to purity of thought or behavior (78:72). Integrity governs private life as well as public life (Dt 5:32-33; 6:5-7). The wisdom overtones of this verse establish a connection between wisdom and the royal court.

101:3 The king determined not to let anything worthless serve as a standard or compass to guide him; the Lord’s faithful love and justice would be his touchstone (26:3). Transgression is a covenantal term denoting anyone or anything opposed to God and his law. It will not cling means the king will not permit evil to remain in his kingdom for any amount of time.

101:4 Saying that a heart is devious acknowledges humanity’s tendency to sin.

101:5-8 These verses focus on the king’s promotion of righteousness in the community. The wise ruler rejects slanderers and the arrogant but surrounds himself with those who are blameless (see note at v. 2) and faithful (Dt 10:8; 17:12; 21:5). The moral standards of the king should be reflected by those who serve him; therefore, the ruler will remove from his palace anyone who deceives and tells lies. The evildoers would be exiled from the precincts of Jerusalem (48:2,9; 87:3; Is 60:14).