“I will sing of mercy and justice;
To You, Lord, I will sing praises.
I will carefully attend to the blameless way.
When will You come to me?
I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.”

“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me.
A perverse heart shall leave me;
I will know no evil.”

A Ruler’s Righteous Resolve

“Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy;
I will not endure one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart.”

“My eyes will be upon the faithful of the land,
So that they may dwell with me;
One who walks in a blameless way is one who will serve me.”

“One who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;
One who speaks lies shall not maintain his position before me.”

“Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
So as to eliminate from the city of the Lord
All those who do injustice.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 101 is a royal psalm of David, where he lays out his personal and public commitment to righteousness, integrity, and justice as a king. It reflects a ruler’s desire to govern God’s people in a way that pleases the Lord, and it provides a model for spiritual leadership at any level.

This psalm uniquely blends personal holiness and public justice, expressing the ideals of a life governed by God’s truth.

Key Themes:

1. A Heart of Worship and Integrity: The psalm begins with praise for mercy and justice, setting the tone for righteous living (v. 1–2).
2. Refusal to Tolerate Evil: David resolves to keep worthless, deceitful, and arrogant behavior away (v. 3–5).
3. Surrounding With the Faithful: Leadership means choosing the right people to serve and influence (v. 6).
4. Daily Renewal of Justice: David commits to a daily pursuit of righteous governance (v. 8).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 101 is a powerful reflection for anyone who leads, influences, or seeks to walk uprightly:

• Integrity Starts at Home: David begins with his own house—private holiness must precede public righteousness.
• Discernment Is Essential: We’re called to reject influences that corrupt the heart.
• Leadership Reflects Values: Who we surround ourselves with reflects what we prioritize spiritually.
• Justice Is a Daily Pursuit: Righteous living and leading require daily commitment and vigilance.

Application

• Commit to a Blameless Way: Start each day with a desire to walk in integrity before God.
• Guard What You See and Hear: Avoid setting “worthless things” before your eyes—value purity.
• Choose Faithful Companions: Surround yourself with people who walk uprightly and seek the Lord.
• Take Sin Seriously: Don’t tolerate slander, pride, or deceit—eliminate these from your environment.

Closing Thought

Psalm 101 shows that godly leadership and righteous living begin with the heart.
“I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.”