Psalms 101: A King's Commitment to Godly Leadership
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.
This psalm, Psalms 101, offers a glimpse into the heart of King David as he ascends the throne of Israel. It's more than just a song; it's a declaration of his intentions, a set of promises he makes about how he will lead the nation. While David, like all of us, fell short of these ideals at times (2 Samuel 11:3–4, 14–15; 1 Chronicles 21), this psalm reveals his deep desire to rule with holiness and integrity. It also demonstrates the vital link between a leader's character and the well-being of those they govern.
A Foundation of Love and Justice
David begins by acknowledging God's "loyal love and justice" (Psalms 101:1). This isn't just lip service; it's the bedrock upon which he intends to build his reign. He dedicates himself to the Lord through repeated vows of "I will," signifying a firm and unwavering commitment. He pledges to worship God (Psalms 101:1), to live with integrity (Psalms 101:2), to avoid sin and evil (Psalms 101:3-4), and to enforce justice under his rule (Psalms 101:5). David wants to consider the "way" God intends him to rule (Deuteronomy 5:33), setting a pattern for his life (Genesis 17:1).
Ruling with a Pure Heart
David understands that true leadership begins within. He resolves to maintain a pure heart and mind, stating, "I will be careful to lead a blameless life" (Psalms 101:2). This involves actively avoiding evil, even to the point of refusing to look at it (Psalms 101:3). He desires to walk in the "way" of God, setting a pattern of righteousness for himself and, by extension, for the nation. David's statement about the Lord "coming" to him echoes the promise of God's blessing on faithfulness (Exodus 20:24; John 14:23).
Choosing the Right Company
David recognizes the importance of surrounding himself with like-minded individuals. He declares, "My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me" (Psalms 101:6). He seeks advisors and servants who share his commitment to God and righteousness. Conversely, he intends to banish those who practice deceit and lies (Psalms 101:7). This shows a determination to create an environment where integrity is valued and wickedness is not tolerated.
Rooting Out Evil
David doesn't just want to avoid evil; he actively intends to "cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord" (Psalms 101:8). This isn't a one-time event, but a daily commitment. The destruction of the wicked would be a daily priority for him (Psalms 101:8). He understood that the presence of wickedness corrupts a nation, and he was determined to purge it from the land. This reflects a proactive approach to justice, constantly seeking to remove corruption and arrogance from the people (Psalms 101:3–8).
A Call to Godly Leadership
Psalms 101 offers a powerful model for leadership, not just for kings and presidents, but for anyone in a position of influence. Whether in the church, in the workplace, or in the home, the principles David outlines are timeless: prioritize God's love and justice, maintain personal integrity, surround yourself with godly people, and actively combat evil. By following these principles, we can invite God’s blessings on ourselves and on those we lead.
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.
This psalm, Psalms 101, offers a glimpse into the heart of King David as he ascends the throne of Israel. It's more than just a song; it's a declaration of his intentions, a set of promises he makes about how he will lead the nation. While David, like all of us, fell short of these ideals at times (2 Samuel 11:3–4, 14–15; 1 Chronicles 21), this psalm reveals his deep desire to rule with holiness and integrity. It also demonstrates the vital link between a leader's character and the well-being of those they govern.
A Foundation of Love and Justice
David begins by acknowledging God's "loyal love and justice" (Psalms 101:1). This isn't just lip service; it's the bedrock upon which he intends to build his reign. He dedicates himself to the Lord through repeated vows of "I will," signifying a firm and unwavering commitment. He pledges to worship God (Psalms 101:1), to live with integrity (Psalms 101:2), to avoid sin and evil (Psalms 101:3-4), and to enforce justice under his rule (Psalms 101:5). David wants to consider the "way" God intends him to rule (Deuteronomy 5:33), setting a pattern for his life (Genesis 17:1).
Ruling with a Pure Heart
David understands that true leadership begins within. He resolves to maintain a pure heart and mind, stating, "I will be careful to lead a blameless life" (Psalms 101:2). This involves actively avoiding evil, even to the point of refusing to look at it (Psalms 101:3). He desires to walk in the "way" of God, setting a pattern of righteousness for himself and, by extension, for the nation. David's statement about the Lord "coming" to him echoes the promise of God's blessing on faithfulness (Exodus 20:24; John 14:23).
Choosing the Right Company
David recognizes the importance of surrounding himself with like-minded individuals. He declares, "My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me" (Psalms 101:6). He seeks advisors and servants who share his commitment to God and righteousness. Conversely, he intends to banish those who practice deceit and lies (Psalms 101:7). This shows a determination to create an environment where integrity is valued and wickedness is not tolerated.
Rooting Out Evil
David doesn't just want to avoid evil; he actively intends to "cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord" (Psalms 101:8). This isn't a one-time event, but a daily commitment. The destruction of the wicked would be a daily priority for him (Psalms 101:8). He understood that the presence of wickedness corrupts a nation, and he was determined to purge it from the land. This reflects a proactive approach to justice, constantly seeking to remove corruption and arrogance from the people (Psalms 101:3–8).
A Call to Godly Leadership
Psalms 101 offers a powerful model for leadership, not just for kings and presidents, but for anyone in a position of influence. Whether in the church, in the workplace, or in the home, the principles David outlines are timeless: prioritize God's love and justice, maintain personal integrity, surround yourself with godly people, and actively combat evil. By following these principles, we can invite God’s blessings on ourselves and on those we lead.