Psalm 101 Part 1

The background of this psalm is David’s ascension to the throne after Saul’s demise and his determination to reform the abuse and confusion of that reign. He resolves here to make his monarchy a copy of God’s. David was anointed king three times. Samuel anointed David in his youth, as a prophecy of his calling and destiny (1Samuel 16:13). After Saul’s death, he was anointed king over the tribe of Judah at Hebron (2Samuel 2:4). Seven years later he was anointed king over all the tribes of Israel (2Samuel 5:3). Before he took the throne over all of Israel, he had a lot of time to think about what kind of king he should be. Though only 8 verses, Martin Lither produced an exposition of psalm 101 that ran to 80 pages. This was because he was deeply concerned about civil government and wanted to expound the qualities to which leadership should strive. 

David begins his song by exalting the lovingkindness and justice of God because the two go together and justice can only be understood in the light of God’s unfailing love. When justice pronounces its righteous penalty, lovingkindness may grant relief. Is this not the message of the cross – what we deserve and what we get are two different things. David wanted to emulate these two things in his reign. When faced with the sin of Absalom’s murder, Joab had presented this very thing to David. (read 2Sam14 for the story.) In this story, David is faced with the same dilemma as God. Absalom had sinned and must die – the wages of sin is the same in OT & NT. He showed, at no time, repentance. David, as king, should have exacted the penalty of the law, but because of his own past and love for his son, he could not. The end result was chaos in his kingdom.(read 2Sam14-18.) If God excused sin, as David had, the universe would be in chaos. God dealt with sin through Jesus (The innocent lamb). Our sin was upon him, He took our penalty and experienced God’s wrath against sin. This is Justice and lovingkindness working together. PTL.