Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 101

1 I Will sing of mercy and judgment : unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

Either 1. of God towards me; of Gods mercy towards me, and of his just judgments upon mine Enemies. Or 2. of mine towards my people, I will in my Song declare my obligation and full purpose to execute mercy and judgment in my Dominion; which are the two Pillars of Government: of which he speaks in the following Verses. Interpreters are much divided which to chuse. Possibly both may be joined together, and the sence may be this, I will praise thee, O Lord, as for all thy other excellencies, so particularly for those two Royal perfections of mercy and justice or judgment, which thou hast so eminently discovered in the Government of the World, and of thy people Israel; and I will make it my care and business to imitate and follow thee as in other things so especially in those vertues which are so necessary for the discharge of my trust and the good government of thy and my people.

2 I will behave my self wisely in a perfect way ; O when wilt thou come unto me ! I will walk within my house with a perfect heart .

I will manage all my affairs with wisdom and integrity; which are the two chief qualifications requisite for all men, Mat. 10. 16. and most necessary in Princes.

O when wilt thou give me the Kingdom which thou hast promised me, that so I may be capable of executing these good purposes both for my own comfort and for the benefit of thy people? Or, without an interrogation, as this Particle is used, Exod. 20. 24. when thou shalt come to me, to wit, in the performance of that promise to me. He speaks not exclusively, as if he would not walk wisely and righteously in the mean time, but emphatically, that he would continue to do so when he was advanced to the Kingdom, and that he would not suffer himself to be corrupted by his Royal Power and Dignity, as the Princes of the World commonly were. Withal he may intimate, that now he could not do as he desired, and that by the necessity of his affairs he was forced to make use of such men as he did not like, and to wink at those miscarriages, which it was not now in his power to reform. God is oft said in Scripture to come to men when he fulfils a promise to them, or confers a favour or blessing upon them, as Gen. 18. 10. Exod. 20. 24. Psal. 80. 2. Isa. 35. 4. &c.

In my own Court and Family, as well as in my publick administrations; knowing how great an influence the example of my private conversation will have upon my people either to reform or corrupt them.

This Clause adds weight to the former, I will not onely walk in a perfect or right way (which a man may do for politick reasons or with evil design, but I will do so) with an upright and honest heart, which is most acceptable to God.

3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes : I hate the work of them that turn aside , it shall not cleave to me.

To wit, to look upon it with deliberation and design, or with desire and delight, as this phrase here and elsewhere implies. If any ungodly or unjust thing shall be suggested to me, whatsoever specious pretences it may be covered with, as reason of state or worldly advantage, I will cast it out of my mind and thoughts with abhorrency, so far will I be from putting it in Execution.

From God and from his Laws.

To wit, such work: Or, the Contagion of such Examples. I will neither imitate nor indure such works, nor such workers.

Marginal references: Heb. thing of Belial.

4 A froward heart shall depart from me : I will not know a wicked person.

A man of a corrupt mind and wicked life, such as other Princes chuse and prefer as being suitable to themselves, and to their wicked designs.

Shall be turned out of my Court, lest they should tempt me or infect the rest of my Family, or be injurious or scandalous to my people.

i. e. Not own nor countenance.

5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour , him will I cut off: him that hath an high look, and a proud heart , will not I suffer.

Such as by secret and false informations and accusations of others seek to gain my favour and to advance themselves by the ruine of others; which are the common pests of Courts and Kingdoms;

These he mentions, because Pride is the common Plague of Courts, and the Fountain of many enormities in Courtiers; it makes them imperious and insolent towards the poor oppressed Subjects that resort to them for relief; it inclines them to those counsels and courses not which are best for the publick good, but which are most for their own honour and advantage, it makes them oppressive and injurious to others that they may have wherewith to satisfy their own lusts.

6 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 .

Either 1. to find them out. Or 2. to favour and encourage them, as this phrase is oft used, as Psal. 34. 15. Ier. 39. 12. and 40. 4.

Men of truth, justice and integrity, who will be faithful first to God and then to me and to my people.

Or, to [illegible: 1+ letters]it or abide or converse with me, in mine House and Counsels and publick administrations.

In the way of Gods precepts which are pure and perfect.

In domestick and publick employments.

Marginal references: Or, perfect in the way.

7 He that worketh deceit , shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies , shall not tarry in my sight .

He who shall use any frauds, or cheats, or subtil artifices to abuse or wrong any of my people. Which Davids Courtiers were more likely to indeavour, because he would not permit any open violence.

He that shall abuse me with lies, as Courtiers usually do their Princes, either to defend and excuse the guilty, or to betray the innocent.

I will certainly and immediately banish him from my presence.

Marginal references: Heb▪ shall not [illegible: 1 word].

8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land: that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD .

Speedily and without delay, as soon as I arise in the Morning, or, as soon as I am seated in the Throne, that so I may both prevent all that mischief which otherwise they might do; and hinder the infection of others by their evil example; and discourage and deter all my Subjects from the like practices. Heb. In the mornings, i. e. every Morning, as the same phrase is used also, Iob 7. 18. Psal. 73. 14. Isa. 33. 2. The Morning was the time allotted for the exercise of judgment. See Ier. 21. 12.

Either 1. from Ierusalem, which, though now in the hands of the Jebusites, he looks upon by an eye of faith as if he had it in possession; which he designed for the chief and Royal City of his Kingdom, and for the seat of the Ark and worship of God. And therefore this place above all others was to be purged and preserved from wickedness and wicked men. Or 2. from the whole Nation or Commonwealth of Israel: for David did intend and was obliged to reform not onely that one City, but his whole Kingdom, which also may come under the name of a City, as being combined and united under one Government: for which reason the name of City is given both to the whole Church of Christ, as Isa. 26. 1. Heb. 12. 22. Revel. 20. 9. and to the great Anti Church, the Kingdom of mystical Babylon, Revel. 11. 8, 13. and 17. 18, &c.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 21. 12.