Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 101

Mercy and judgment — or, as some render, grace and right — are the especially requisite attributes of a good monarch, or of magistrates generally. (See Matthew 23:23, where the failure to practice them is charged on the ruling class in Judea at that time, though, of course, also required in the conduct of everyone; Micah 6:8.) Here, no doubt, as almost all commentators have seen, they are first regarded ideally as attributes of the Divine King.

“And earthly power doth then show likest God’s,
       When mercy seasons justice.”

Will I sing. — Better, will I play.

On the question of the connection of this verse with the rest of the psalm, see Introduction.

Behave myself wisely. —Literally, I will look to a guileless way. The root “to look” is that from which maskîl (Psalms 32, title) comes; therefore some here see a reference to music, or song. But the Authorised Version is probably right, since the analogy of such words as “provident,” “circumspect,” shows how the idea of caution and then wisdom arises from that of looking. The English idiom, “look to your ways,” illustrates the Hebrew here.

O when will you come to me? —This clause is so awkward, however translated, that some critics go the length of pronouncing it spurious. In the Old Testament, with the exception of Exodus 20:24, the coming of God to a person is associated with the idea of punishment or inquisition (Psalms 17:3); and to see a reminiscence of 2 Samuel 6:9 (“How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?”) seems far-fetched.

It is better, therefore, to take the verb as the third person feminine instead of second masculine, with “perfect way” as its subject. The only difficulty in the way of this rendering is the interrogative; but, as in Proverbs 23:22, it becomes a simple adverb of time, we may treat it so here: “I will give heed to a guileless way when it comes to me,” i.e., whenever a course of action arises, presenting an alternative of a right and wrong, or a better and worse, I will choose the better.

I will walk within my house. —This vow of an Eastern monarch should be read with the thought of the palace of a caliph at Bagdad, or a sultan at Constantinople, before the mind. But it is a reflection of universal application, that piety should begin at home, and religion show itself in the household as much as at church.

I will set no... — Notice the wisdom of this resolve in a despotic monarch, who only has to speak to bring about whatever he has looked upon with desire.

Wicked thing. — Thing (or, word) of Belial. (See Note on Psalm 41:8.)

I hate the work of them that turn aside. — Or, I hate the doing of false things, depending on whether we understand the word in a concrete or abstract sense.

It shall not cleave to me. — Such conduct shall not be mine.

Froward. —See Note, Psalms 18:26.

Whoever ... —The “informer” and the “haughty favourite” are no unknown characters in an Eastern court.

Proud heart. —Literally, broad, that is, extended with pride . But the Septuagint and Vulgate have “insatiable.”

Will not I suffer. —In Hebrew, a simple and expressive “I cannot,” to which we can supply “bear” (Jeremiah 44:22). (Compare to Isaiah 1:13: I cannot away with.)