Chapter 101

101:1 A Psalm of David. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?