Psalm 101 Part 2

Yesterday we noted that lovingkindness and judgment would temper the administration of David because he had adoringly perceived them in his God. God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness should encourage the greatest of sinners with hope.

David’s longing for the Lord was connected to his desire to live a wise and ‘blameless way. He determined that his reign would be marked by integrity and godliness in conformity to the one whom he offers praise.  David understood the principle later stated in 1 John 1:6-7.  
‘Walking within my house in integrity’ is a very important principle for all of us to consider. “It is easier to walk ‘blameless’ in the church or in the world, than in our own families. How many are as meek as lambs among others; when at home they are wasps or bears! We don’t need to run off to conventions and sermons to learn the lessons of victory and sanctification that God would have us learn in the home. It is in the home where we discover how far from perfect we are. 

David knew that one measure of his righteous life was what he chose to ‘set before his eyes.’(v3) The lust of the eyes is a significant aspect of the lure of this world (1 John 2:16 c.f. Job 31:1). We wish that David had lived this principle more consistently. Yet, we shouldn’t think David was a hypocrite because he failed in completely living up to these high standards. It isn’t hypocrisy to have a standard that you can’t completely meet. Hypocrisy is when you have one standard for yourself and a higher standard for others.

Words like ‘hate’ and ‘destroy’ are colloquial expressions of his determination to set his kingdom right in the eyes of God by choosing the right kind of people for his administration, (see v6ff.) The wicked would not prosper but be ‘destroyed.’ 
The psalm is doubly moving: both for the ideals it discloses and for the shadow of failure which history throws across it. Happily, the last word is not with David nor with his faithful historians, but with his Messianic Son. There, there is no shadow.