The Righteous One’s rules of holy government

Commentators are at variance of which house David is speaking. Some think that it is the tabernacle, others are of the opinion it is his own house. It is sometimes called the Householder’s psalm. Indeed, Philip Henry would have it sung at his family worship on every Sabbath. 

There is a determination of David’s will, and an inclination of his heart to sing to the Lord. The content of his song is mercy and judgment, and no doubt mercy was sung the loudest, and judgment sung the humblest. One has written that the time for singing is now, whilst we have breath and experience. For mercy cannot be sung of in hell, nor judgment in Heaven. 

David’s heart was engaged to the faithful in the land, and coveted their friendship and fellowship. Christian love embraces all those who are truly faithful. If there is union amongst devils, how much more the Lord’s people.

Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: Moravia, York

Psalm 101

¹I mercy will and judgment sing,
LORD, I will sing to thee.
²With wisdom in a perfect way
Shall my behaviour be.

O when, in kindness unto me,
Wilt thou be pleas’d to come?
I with a perfect heart will walk
Within my house at home.

³I will endure no wicked thing
Before mine eyes to be:
I hate their work that turn aside,
It shall not cleave to me.

⁴A stubborn and a froward heart
Depart quite from me shall;
A person giv’n to wickedness
I will not know at all.

⁵I’ll cut him off that slandereth
His neighbour privily:
The haughty heart I will not bear,
Nor him that looketh high.

⁶Upon the faithful of the land
Mine eyes shall be, that they
May dwell with me: he shall me serve
That walks in perfect way.

⁷Who of deceit a worker is
In my house shall not dwell;
And in my presence shall he not
Remain that lies doth tell.

⁸Yea, all the wicked of the land
Early destroy will I;
All from GOD’s city to cut off
That work iniquity.