> [[psalm-100|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-102|Next →]] --- # Psalm 101 ## Norm of Life for Rulers 1 A psalm of David. ### I I sing of mercy and justice; to you, LORD, I sing praise. 2 I study the way of integrity; when will you come to me? I act with integrity of heart within my household. 3 I do not allow into my presence anything base. I hate wrongdoing; I will have no part of it. 4 May the devious heart keep far from me; the wicked I will not acknowledge. 5 Whoever slanders a neighbor in secret I will reduce to silence. Haughty eyes and arrogant hearts I cannot endure. ### II 6 I look to the faithful of the land to sit at my side. Whoever follows the way of integrity is the one to enter my service. 7 No one who practices deceit can remain within my house. No one who speaks falsely can last in my presence. 8 Morning after morning I clear all the wicked from the land, to rid the city of the LORD of all doers of evil. \* (Psalm 101) The king, grateful at being God’s chosen ([Ps 101:1]), promises to be a ruler after God’s own heart ([Ps 101:2] – [3]), allowing into the royal service only the God-fearing ([Ps 101:3] – [8]). \* (101:2) Within my household: the king promises to make his own household, i.e., the royal court, a model for Israel, banning all officials who abuse their power. \* (101:6) I look to the faithful of the land: the king seeks companions only among those faithful to God. \* (101:8) Morning after morning: the morning is the normal time for the administration of justice ([2 Sm 15:2]; [Jer 21:12]) and for the arrival of divine aid ([Ps 59:17]; [143:8]; [Is 33:2]). I clear all the wicked from the land: the king, as God’s servant, is responsible for seeing that divine justice is carried out. a. (101:2) ([[psalm-26|Ps 26]]:11]; [Is 33:15]. b. (101:2) [1 Kgs 9:4]. c. (101:3) [Prv 11:20]. d. (101:5) [Prv 17:20]; [30:10]. e. (101:5) [Prv 21:4]. f. (101:6) ([[psalm-26|Ps 26]]:11]; [Prv 20:7]. g. (101:7) ([[psalm-05|Ps 5]]:5]; [Prv 25:5]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-100|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-102|Next →]]