
Text -- Psalms 101:6-8 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley -> Psa 101:8
Speedily; as soon as I am seated in the throne.

Or, I will select reliable and honest men for my servants.

Literally, "not sit," or tarry, or be established.
Mine eyes - My approbation

Upon the faithful - The humble, upright followers of God

Clarke: Psa 101:6 - -- That they may dwell with me - Be my confidants and privy counsellors. No irreligious or wicked man, whatever his abilities may be, shall be countena...
That they may dwell with me - Be my confidants and privy counsellors. No irreligious or wicked man, whatever his abilities may be, shall be countenanced or supported by me. I will purify my court from the base, the irreligious, the avaricious, the venal, the profligate, and the wicked

He that walketh in a perfect way - He that is truly religious

Clarke: Psa 101:6 - -- He shalt serve me - Shall be my prime minister, and the chief officer in my army, and over my finances.
He shalt serve me - Shall be my prime minister, and the chief officer in my army, and over my finances.

Clarke: Psa 101:7 - -- He that worketh deceit - that tenets lies - I will expel from my court all sycophants and flatterers. Tiberius encouraged flatterers; Titus burned s...
He that worketh deceit - that tenets lies - I will expel from my court all sycophants and flatterers. Tiberius encouraged flatterers; Titus burned some, banished several others, and sold many for slaves.

Clarke: Psa 101:8 - -- I will early destroy - I will take the first opportunity of destroying all the wicked of the land. I will purify my court, purge Jerusalem, and clea...
I will early destroy - I will take the first opportunity of destroying all the wicked of the land. I will purify my court, purge Jerusalem, and cleanse the whole land of every abomination and abominable person; so that the city of my God, where holiness alone should dwell, shall indeed become the Holy City; that the state may be made prosperous, and the people happy. Such an administration must have been a good one, where such pious caution was used in choosing all the officers of the state
Calvin: Psa 101:6 - -- 6.My eyes are towards the faithful of the land David here lays down another virtue of a wise prince, when he affirms that it will be his care to make...
6.My eyes are towards the faithful of the land David here lays down another virtue of a wise prince, when he affirms that it will be his care to make all the faithful of the land his intimate friends, — that he will avail himself of their good offices, and have as domestic servants such only as are distinguished for personal worth. Some understand the words, that they may dwell with me, in a general sense thus: I will not neglect the good and inoffensive, nor will I suffer them to be unjustly molested; but I will secure, that under my administration, they shall live in a state of peace and tranquillity. But his meaning rather is, that he will exercise discretion and care, that, instead of taking persons into his service indiscriminately, he may wisely determine each man’s character, so as to have those who live a life of strict integrity as his most intimate friends, and that he may intrust them with the offices of state. He speaks of the faithful in the first place, because, although a man may possess talents of a high order, yet if he is not devoted to fidelity and integrity, he will never rightly execute the office of a judge. This is worthy of special notice; for although a prince may be the best of men, yet if his servants and officers are not of a corresponding character his subjects will experience hardly any advantage from his uncorrupted integrity. Servants are the hands of a prince, and whatever he determines for the good of his subjects they will wickedly overthrow it, provided they are avaricious, fraudulent, or rapacious. This has been more than sufficiently demonstrated by experience. The greater part of kings, indeed, passing over the good and the upright, or, which is worse, driving them away from them, purposely seek to have as servants those who are like themselves, and who may prove fit tools for their tyranny; yea, even good and well disposed princes often manifest so much indolence and irresolution as to suffer themselves to be governed by the worst counsels, and inconsiderately prostitute the offices of state by conferring them on the unworthy.

Calvin: Psa 101:7 - -- 7.He who worketh deceit shall not dwell in the midst of my house This verse may be explained of all magistrates to whose charge the exercise of publi...
7.He who worketh deceit shall not dwell in the midst of my house This verse may be explained of all magistrates to whose charge the exercise of public judgments is committed, as well as of household servants. But as David has just now spoken in general of all officers, he seems now to speak properly of those who are near the person of the king. When the chief counsellors of kings and other intimate acquaintances who have gained possession of their ears, are deceitful and crafty, this becomes the source of all corruptions; for by their example they encourage others in evil, lifting up as it were the banner of licentiousness. And it is impossible that he who does not maintain good order in his own house, can be a fit person for holding the government of a whole realm. The authority which cannot preserve its influence under the domestic roof is of little worth in state affairs.

Calvin: Psa 101:8 - -- 8.Early will I destroy all the wicked of the land The Psalmist at length concludes by asserting, that he will endeavor to the utmost of his power to ...
8.Early will I destroy all the wicked of the land The Psalmist at length concludes by asserting, that he will endeavor to the utmost of his power to purge the land from infamous and wicked persons. He affirms that he will do this early; for if princes are supine and slothful, they will never seasonably remedy the evils which exist. They must therefore oppose the beginnings of evil. The judge, however, must take care not to yield to the influence of anger, nor must he act precipitately and without consideration. The original word for early is in the plural number, (it being properly at the mornings,) which denotes unremitted exertion. It were not enough that a judge should punish the wicked sharply and severely in one or two instances: he must continue perseveringly in that duty. By this word is condemned the slothfulness of princes, when, upon seeing wicked men daringly break forth into the commission of crime, they connive at them from day to day, either through fear or an ill-regulated lenity. Let kings and magistrates then remember, that they are armed with the sword, that they may promptly and unflinchingly execute the judgments of God. David, it is true, could not purge the land from all defilements, however courageously he might have applied himself to the task. This he did not expect to be able to do. He only promises, that without respect of persons he will show himself an impartial judge, in cutting off all the wicked. Timidity often hinders judges from repressing with sufficient rigor the wicked when they exalt themselves. It is consequently necessary for them to be endued with a spirit of invincible fortitude, that relying upon Divine aid, they may perform the duties of the office with which they are invested. Moreover, ambition and favor sometimes render them pliant, so that they do not always punish offenses alike, where this ought to be done. Hence we learn that the strictness, which is not carried to excess, is highly pleasing to God; and, on the other hand, that he does not approve of the cruel kindness which gives loose reins to the wicked; as, indeed, there cannot be a greater encouragement to sin than for offenses to be allowed to pass unpunished. What Solomon says should therefore be remembered, (Pro 17:15) “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.” What David adds, That I may cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of God, is also emphatic. If even heathen kings are commanded in common to punish crimes, David well knew that he was under obligations of a more sacred kind to do so, since the charge of the Church of God had been committed to him. And certainly if those who hold a situation so honorable do not exert themselves to the utmost of their power to remove all defilements, they are chargeable with polluting as much as in them lies the sanctuary of God; and they not only act unfaithfully towards men by betraying their welfare, but also commit high treason against God himself. Now as the kingdom of David was only a faint image of the kingdom of Christ, we, ought to set Christ before our view; who, although he may bear with many hypocrites, yet as he will be the judge of the world, will at length call them all to an account, and separate the sheep from the goats. And if it seems to us that he tarries too long, we should think of that morning which will suddenly dawn, that all filthiness being purged away, true purity may shine forth.
TSK: Psa 101:6 - -- Mine : Psa 15:4, Psa 34:15, Psa 119:63; Pro 28:28, Pro 29:2; Mat 24:45; Luk 12:43, Luk 12:44; Rom 13:1-4
that they : Joh 12:26, Joh 14:3, Joh 17:24; R...
Mine : Psa 15:4, Psa 34:15, Psa 119:63; Pro 28:28, Pro 29:2; Mat 24:45; Luk 12:43, Luk 12:44; Rom 13:1-4
that they : Joh 12:26, Joh 14:3, Joh 17:24; Rev 3:20, Rev 3:21, Rev 21:3
in a perfect way : or, perfect in the way, Psa 119:1-3 *marg. Phi 3:12-15

TSK: Psa 101:7 - -- He that worketh : 2Sa 4:10-12; 2Ki 5:26, 2Ki 5:27; Pro 29:12; Act 1:16-20, Act 1:25, Act 5:1-10
tarry in my sight : Heb. be established
He that worketh : 2Sa 4:10-12; 2Ki 5:26, 2Ki 5:27; Pro 29:12; Act 1:16-20, Act 1:25, Act 5:1-10
tarry in my sight : Heb. be established

TSK: Psa 101:8 - -- early : Psa 75:10; Pro 16:12, Pro 20:8, Pro 20:26; Jer 21:12; Mic 3:1-4, Mic 3:9
cut off : Psa 48:2, Psa 48:8; Hos 9:3; Mic 2:8-10; Rev 21:27, Rev 22:...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Psa 101:6 - -- Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land ... - I will look to them to be employed in my house, and in my service. The word rendered "fa...
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land ... - I will look to them to be employed in my house, and in my service. The word rendered "faithful"means those who are worthy of belief or confidence. It does not "necessarily"mean those who are pious or religious - though it is often used to denote such persons, in reference to the principal trait in the character of the pious, that is, confidence or faith in God. The essential meaning here is, that he would seek those who were trustworthy; on whom he could place reliance; whose truth, fidelity, and honesty he could confide in. This would be most certainly found in those who are "faithful"to God, and who would then be "faithful"to lower obligations. Undoubtedly, also, it is desirable, on some accounts, to have only such in our employ, if such can be found. But we are not to regard this passage as teaching the doctrine, even by the example of the psalmist, that we are to employ no persons but such as are truly religious. There are others who will be found faithful, honest, and reliable; and they have such a claim to our confidence as to impose on us a moral obligation to show them that confidence - so far, at least, that we shall not, by any act of ours, declare them not worthy of trust because they are not religious. Besides, it may be desirable, on many accounts, that persons who are not religious should be brought under the influence of religion in pious families, and enjoy the advantages which may be connected with a religious household. In seeking our own interest, and what will be for our own welfare and happiness, we should not be unmindful of what may be for the good of others. Religion may extend itself much in the world by thus bringing into the service of religious households those who may, by example, instruction, and prayer, be led to the possession and practice of true religion.
He that walketh in a perfect way ... - Margin, "perfect in the way."The translation in the text is the more correct. The phrase means an upright man; a man of integrity. It does not necessarily imply that he is absolutely holy, or free from all sin, but that he is upright, consistent, honest: a man whose moral character is developed in proper proportions, or is such that it may be relied on. See the notes at Job 1:1.

Barnes: Psa 101:7 - -- He that worketh deceit - The man who is dishonest - who is full of tricks, false pretences, and devices - who cannot be confided in as straight...
He that worketh deceit - The man who is dishonest - who is full of tricks, false pretences, and devices - who cannot be confided in as straight-forward and sincere - one whose word cannot be relied on - one whose course is subterranean or serpentine.
Shall not dwell within my house - Shall neither be employed in my service, nor be admitted as a guest and companion. I will not, in any way, patronise or countenance such a person.
He that telleth lies - In any way: by stating what is false; by promising what is not performed; by deceiving me in his professions. I will seek only those who love and speak the truth.
Shall not tarry in my sight - Margin, "shall not be established."The idea is that of being confirmed or established. The sense here seems to be, that though such a person should gain admittance to his house on any pretence or profession, he should not obtain a permanent residence there. As soon as his real character was known, he would be dismissed or discharged. The psalmist says that he would do nothing to show him countenance; he would not give occasion to have it represented that he favored liars or dishonest persons, or that such persons might find employment with him. As a universal rule, no man should have such plans to accomplish in his family, or in his business-transactions, that he cannot employ, in accomplishing those things, persons who are perfectly honest; or, in other words, no man should engage in any undertaking, or pursue any kind of business, that would require people of loose principles - the cunning, the crafty, the deceitful, the dishonest - to carry it out. Yet there are many such employments in the world; and there are men suited for such employments, and who are willing to engage in such work. It may be a good test for a man in regard to the business in which he is engaged, to ask himself what kind of agents, clerks, or servants, it will be necessary for him to employ in carrying it out. If the business is such as to make it necessary to employ unprincipled people - people who have easy consciences - people who will violate the sabbath - men who have more skill than honesty - more cunning than principle - that very fact should determine him at once in regard to the propriety of the business.

Barnes: Psa 101:8 - -- I will early destroy ... - Hebrew, "In the mornings I will destroy."That is, It shall be my first business as I enter upon the day. Possibly, a...
I will early destroy ... - Hebrew, "In the mornings I will destroy."That is, It shall be my first business as I enter upon the day. Possibly, also, by the use of the plural here - "in the mornings"- there may be the idea that this would be his constant rule of conduct: he would do it every day; he would do it morning by morning. He would on no day - at no time - allow the wicked to be in his service. This rule would be unvarying. It would extend through his life. The word "destroy"here may refer not only to his conduct as a man, and as the head of a family, but to the act of a magistrate; and the idea may be, that the rule which he prescribed for himself in his own house was a rule which he would carry with him into public: that is, as the psalm was composed by David, that, as a king and sovereign, it should be his aim to carry those principles to the throne; that, in respect to the state, he would do what he purposed to do in his home-relations. The strict and stern regard for truth, sincerity, honesty, fidelity, which he would evince in the one case he would evince in the other; carrying to the high employments of public life, where there were so many temptations to a contrary course, the inflexible virtues which were needful for peace, for happiness, and for success in domestic life.
That I may cut off - By discountenancing them; by punishing them if they are guilty.
All wicked doers - All violators of law.
From the city of the Lord - From Jerusalem, the place where God dwelt, and which was sacred to his service. See Psa 46:4, note; Psa 48:2, note; Psa 48:8, note. Happy is the man at the head of a family - happy is the magistrate - who adopts for himself, and who faithfully carries out the principles laid down by the author of this psalm - divinely inspired to adopt such rules for himself, and to suggest them for others in all ages.
Poole: Psa 101:6 - -- Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful either,
1. To find them out. Or,
2. To favour or encourage them, as this phrase is oft used, as Psa 34:15 Jer ...
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful either,
1. To find them out. Or,
2. To favour or encourage them, as this phrase is oft used, as Psa 34:15 Jer 39:12 40:4 . The faithful ; men of truth, justice, and integrity, who will be faithful, first to God, and then to me and to my people.
Dwell with me or, to sit , or abide , or converse with me, in my house, and counsels, and public administrations.
In a perfect way in the way of God’ s precepts, which are pure and perfect.
He shall serve me in domestic and public employments.

Poole: Psa 101:7 - -- He that worketh deceit he who shall use any frauds, or cheats, or subtle artifices to abuse or wrong any of my people; which David’ s courtiers ...
He that worketh deceit he who shall use any frauds, or cheats, or subtle artifices to abuse or wrong any of my people; which David’ s courtiers were more likely to endeavour, because he would not permit any open violence.
He that telleth lies he that shall abuse me with lies, as courtiers usually do their princes, either to defend and excuse the guilty, or to betray the innocent.
Shall not tarry in my sight I will certainly and immediately banish him from my presence.

Poole: Psa 101:8 - -- Early speedily, and without delay, as soon as I arise in the morning, or as soon as I am seated in the throne, that so I may both prevent all that mi...
Early speedily, and without delay, as soon as I arise in the morning, or as soon as I am seated in the throne, that so I may both prevent all that mischief which otherwise they might do, and hinder the infection of others by their evil example, and discourage and deter all my subjects from the like practices. Heb. in the mornings , i.e. every morning, as the same phrase is used also, Job 7:18 Psa 73:14 Isa 33:2 . The morning was the time allotted for the exercise of judgment. See Jer 21:12 .
From the city of the Lord either,
1. From Jerusalem, which, though now in the hands of the Jebusites, he looks upon by an eye of faith as if he had it in possession; which he designed for the chief and royal city of his kingdom, and for the seat of the ark and worship of God. And therefore this place above all others was to be purged and preserved from wickedness and wicked men. Or,
2. From the whole nation or commonwealth of Israel; for David did intend and was obliged to reform, not only that one city, but his whole kingdom, which also may come under the name of a city , as being combined and united under one government; for which reason the name of city is given both to the whole church of Christ, Isa 26:1 Heb 12:22 Rev 20:9 and to the great anti-church, the kingdom of mystical Babylon, Rev 11:8,17:18 .
Haydock: Psa 101:6 - -- Flesh, or "skin." (St. Jerome) ---
The necessary moisture is consumed. (Eusebius) (Worthington)
Flesh, or "skin." (St. Jerome) ---
The necessary moisture is consumed. (Eusebius) (Worthington)

Haydock: Psa 101:7 - -- A pelican, &c. I am become, through grief, like birds that affect solitude and darkness. (Challoner) ---
Kaath comes from a root that signifies t...
A pelican, &c. I am become, through grief, like birds that affect solitude and darkness. (Challoner) ---
Kaath comes from a root that signifies to vomit (Haydock) as this bird lives chiefly on shell-fish, which it swallows, and when the heat of its stomach has caused the shells to open, it throws them up again, and eats the fish. (Bochart) (Parkhurst in ka. ) (Haydock) ---
It seems to be the onocratalus, which resembles the heron. What many of the ancients have related concerning its giving life again to its young, by its blood, &c., must be accounted fabulous. The Fathers have not expressed these facts as certain, (Calmet) though they have beautifully accommodated them to the tenderness and grace, which Christ has shewn to lost man. See Eusebius and St. Augustine. (Haydock) ---
Raven. Owl, or rather another species of pelican, so called from having a bag under its chap, "to inclose" fish, &c. (Parkhurst in cose. ) ---
With its prey it retires to solitary places. So the distressed love solitude and silence. (Haydock)
Gill: Psa 101:6 - -- Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land,.... To look them out, bring them to court, and promote them to places of honour and trust; such an o...
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land,.... To look them out, bring them to court, and promote them to places of honour and trust; such an one was David himself, and such there were in the land of Israel, though but few, and of which he complains, Psa 12:1. Christ's eyes are upon faithful persons, on faithful ministers of the word, who preach the Gospel faithfully, administer the ordinances truly, are faithful to the souls of men in watching over them, reproving and exhorting them; his eyes are upon them to keep and preserve them, and to honour and reward them with a crown of life that fadeth not away; and his eyes are also on faithful members of churches, such who truly believe in him, who hold fast the faithful word, and keep close to his worship and ordinances; his eyes are upon them, to show favour to them, to bestow blessings upon them, and to protect and defend them, and preserve them from perishing:
that they may dwell with me; or, "sit with me" p; at his table, or at the council board, or in judgment, and assist him in the affairs of government: so such as are faithful shall dwell with Christ both here and hereafter; they dwell in him and with him by faith, and have communion with him; they dwell in his house below, and shall dwell with him above for evermore:
he that walketh in a perfect way; in God's way, in the way he has prescribed and directed, to what is perfect; in a way agreeable to his word, in all his commandments and ordinances, in Christ, the way, the truth, and the life:
and in the way of perfect men q, as it may be rendered; in the way that such walk; and though he does not walk perfectly, or without sin, yet sincerely and uprightly:
he shall serve me; be taken into my service, be employed by me, as a prime minister, a counsellor, a secretary of state, or in other lesser places under David. But, as it refers to Christ, it signifies that such an one shall be a servant of his, which is no small honour; for, where he is, there shall his servant be, Joh 12:26. The Targum is,
"he shall stand with my servants;''
in his house here, and at his right hand hereafter.

Gill: Psa 101:7 - -- He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house,.... Flatterers, sycophants, tricking and fraudulent persons, who seek to supplant others, and ...
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house,.... Flatterers, sycophants, tricking and fraudulent persons, who seek to supplant others, and get into their places; these should lose the favour they had, when detected. So hypocritical persons, that have only a form of godliness, a mask of religion, and false teachers that lie in wait to deceive; and antichrist, whose coming was with all deceivableness of unrighteousness; who has seduced men by his miracles, doctrines, and sorceries; these shall have no place, neither in Christ's house below nor above. The Targum is,
"he that works deceit shall not dwell in the midst of the house of my sanctuary:''
he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight; or, "he shall not be established" before mine eyes r; he shall not continue in his post and place, in his office and station; he shall soon be dismissed from it; lying is very abominable to God, very prejudicial to men, and hated by Christ, who is truth itself. All sorts of lies, and liars are so, religious and doctrinal ones; such who speak lies in hypocrisy, as the emissaries of Rome; all that make an abomination, or a lie, will have no place with Christ in the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:27.

Gill: Psa 101:8 - -- I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, Of the land of Israel, signifying that he would make a general reformation throughout the kingdom; t...
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, Of the land of Israel, signifying that he would make a general reformation throughout the kingdom; that as soon as wicked men were discovered in any part of the land, he would cut them off, would take the first opportunity of punishing them as the law directs: or he would do it "in morning" s, as in the Hebrew text; that is, every morning, constantly and continually;

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

Geneva Bible: Psa 101:6 Mine eyes [shall be] upon the ( e ) faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
( e ) He ...

Geneva Bible: Psa 101:8 ( f ) I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
( f ) Magistrates must immediat...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 101:1-8
MHCC -> Psa 101:1-8
MHCC: Psa 101:1-8 - --In this psalm we have David declaring how he intended to regulate his household, and to govern his kingdom, that he might stop wickedness, and encoura...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 101:1-8
Matthew Henry: Psa 101:1-8 - -- David here cuts out to himself and others a pattern both of a good magistrate and a good master of a family; and, if these were careful to discharge...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 101:1-8
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 101:1-8 - --
This is the "prince's Psalm,"
(Note: Eyring, in his Vita of Ernest the Pious Duke of Saxe-Gotha, v. 1601, d. 1675, relates that he sent an unfaith...
Constable: Psa 90:1--106:48 - --IV. Book 4: chs. 90--106
Moses composed one of the psalms in this section of the Psalter (Ps. 90). David wrote t...

Constable: Psa 101:1-8 - --Psalm 101
David voiced his desire to maintain holiness in his personal life and in his court in this psa...
