PSALM 101

I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.  (Psalm 101, KJV)

Psalm 101

A Royal Proclamation

David, a man after God’s own heart,
Began his reign as king with virtues
Which call for absolute perfection,
With the presence of God to reign.

The Ark of the Covenant symbolized
God’s presence with him and was moved
Into the Palace to be aware of God
In his virtuous effort to purge.

Saul’s last troubles as king was infested
With deceit, lust, self indulgence and
Slander. David seeks to purge not only
His cabinet, but the city of the king.

They must be ruled by loving kindness,
And righteous judgment. What an ideal!
But around David’s throne were Abasolom,
Ahithophel, and other men of short comings,

Even David, but amid the earthly shadows
Of God’s rule, stands the kingdom of
Jesus Christ, and the City in which nothing
That defiles shall ever enter.

(c) Rex H. Henderson 2003

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