Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 101:7

"He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: He that speaketh falsehood shall not be established before mine eyes." — Psalms 101:7 (ASV)

He that worketh deceit - This refers to the man who is dishonest, who is full of tricks, false pretenses, and devices; who cannot be trusted as straightforward and sincere; one whose word cannot be relied on; one whose course is subterranean or serpentine.

Shall not dwell within my house - This means such a person shall neither be employed in my service nor be admitted as a guest and companion. I will not, in any way, patronize or support such a person.

He that telleth lies - This applies in any way: by stating what is false, by promising what is not performed, or by deceiving me in his claims. I will seek only those who love and speak the truth.

Shall not tarry in my sight - The margin reads, “shall not be established.” The idea is that of being confirmed or established. The sense here seems to be that even if such a person should gain admittance to his house on any pretense or claim, he would not obtain a permanent residence there. As soon as his real character was known, he would be dismissed or discharged.

The psalmist says that he would do nothing to show him favor; he would not give the impression that he favored liars or dishonest persons, or that such persons might find employment with him.

As a universal rule, no one should have such plans to accomplish in their family or business transactions that they cannot employ perfectly honest persons in accomplishing those things. In other words, no one should engage in any undertaking or pursue any kind of business that would require people of loose principles—the cunning, the crafty, the deceitful, the dishonest—to carry it out.

Yet there are many such employments in the world, and there are people suited for such employments and willing to engage in such work. It may be a good test for a person regarding the business in which they are engaged to ask themselves what kind of agents, clerks, or servants it will be necessary for them to employ in carrying it out. If the business is such that it makes it necessary to employ unprincipled people—people who have easy consciences, people who will violate the Sabbath, people who have more skill than honesty, more cunning than principle—that very fact should lead them to determine at once the propriety of the business.