Psalm 101:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 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 the duty of their place, it would contribute very much to a universal reformation. Observe, I. The chosen subject of the psalm (Ps. 101:1): I will sing of mercy and judgment, that is, 1. Of God's mercy and judgment, and then it looks back upon the dispensations of Providence concerning David since he was first anointed to be king, during which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 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; 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" F19 לבקרים "in matutinis", Montanus, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius; so Ainsworth. , as in the Hebrew text; that is, every... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 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 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.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 101:8

Verse 8 8Early 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 101:1-8

Metrically, the psalm divides itself into two stanzas, each of four verses. In the first stanza ( Psalms 101:1-4 ) the writer declares the principles on which he intends to act in his private life. In the second ( Psalms 101:5-8 ) he enunciates those by which he means to be guided in his government of the people. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 101:1-8

Four features of true piety. The psalmist has before him the fashioning of his future life; he records his purpose of heart as he cherishes it before God. Applying his words, not to his own royal estate with its peculiar obligations, but to the ordinary conditions of human life, we have four features of all genuine piety. I. A FULL , INTELLIGENT GRATITUDE . "I will sing of mercy and of judgment [righteousness]" ( Psalms 101:1 ). We are to cultivate and express ("I will sing ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 101:1-8

The secret of a happy life. The psalm is evidently one composed on the occasion of the setting up of a new order of things in the home or in the State, or in both, and it tells of the psalmist's holy resolves in regard to himself, and his conduct in his household and amongst men generally. And they are wise resolves. I. THEY CONCERN HIMSELF . ( Psalms 101:2 .) "I wilt behave myself," etc. Here we must begin if our life is to be worthy and happy. Therefore: 1 . The psalmist... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 101:1-8

The ideal of a royal life; or, David's mirror of a monarch. I. HIS PERSONAL LIFE . 1 . He sought the union of loving kindness and right in his own character. ( Psalms 101:1 .) As a Divine union found in the King of kings, and therefore the subject of his song. 2 . He would seek to follow the perfect way with or by means of a perfect heart. ( Psalms 101:2 .) He would give earnest heed to whatever was right, and pursue it with an undivided heart. 3 . He would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 101:8

I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; literally, each morn will I root out all the wicked of the land; i.e. "day after day I will make it my endeavour, not only to keep my palace free from evil doers, but to cleanse the whole land of them." David is determined to exercise that just severity which is a part of the duty of kings ( Romans 13:4 ), and not to be that curse to a country—a weak and over-indulgent ruler (see Calvin, ad loc. ) . That I may cut off all wicked... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 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, 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... read more

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