Ps 101:1
101:1 <> I will {a} sing of mercy and
      judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

      (a) David considers what manner of King he would be, when
          God would place him in the throne, promising openly,
          that he would be merciful and just.

Ps 101:2
101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. {b} O when
      wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a
      perfect heart.

      (b) Though as yet you deferred to place me in the kingly
          dignity, yet I will give myself to wisdom and
          uprightness being a private man.

Ps 101:3
101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate {c}
      the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to
      me.

      (c) He shows that magistrates do not do their duties,
          unless they are enemies to all vice.

Ps 101:5
101:5 Whoso privily {d} slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut
      off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not
      I suffer.

      (d) In promising to punish these vices, which are most
          pernicious in them that are about Kings, he declares
          that he will punish all.

Ps 101:6
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 shows what the true use of the sword is, to punish
          the wicked and to maintain the good.

Ps 101:8
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 immediately punish vice, lest it grow
          to further inconvenience; and if heathen magistrates
          are bound to do this, how much more they who have the
          charge of the Church of God?

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This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College. Last updated on May 27, 1999. Contacting the CCEL.