Psalms 101:1-8 - Homilies By C. Short

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 live in the closest fellowship with God. ( Psalms 101:2 .) "When wilt thou come unto me?"

II. HIS DOMESTIC LIFE . ( Psalms 101:3 , Psalms 101:4 .) How he would walk in "his house."

1 . Will not allow himself to think of any wicked design or action. ( Psalms 101:3 .) Nothing in his home life that is unworthy of a king.

2 . He will be guilty of no unfaithfulness. ( Psalms 101:3 .) They who "turn aside" are the unfaithful. Delitzsch says he "hates excesses;" all temptations to this he will shake off from himself.

3 . He will not know fellowship with a false or " froward " heart. ( Psalms 101:4 .) No commerce with those whoso policy is one of craft and deceit.

III. HE WILL MAINTAIN A PURE COURT LIFE . ( Psalms 101:5-7 .)

1 . He will discourage all forms of untruthfulness and pride. Slander and deceit and lies he will not tolerate ( Psalms 101:5-7 ).

2 . Those who serfs him in high offices must be faithful men. ( Psalms 101:6 .)

IV. HE WILL RULE THE CITY AND THE STATE SO AS TO BRING IN THE REIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS . ( Psalms 101:8 .) "Early," equivalent to "in the morning." Courts of law were held in the early morning. A dream which has its fulfilment in the vision of the New Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:27 ).—S.