John Calvin Commentary Psalms 101:2

"I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way: Oh when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart." — Psalms 101:2 (ASV)

I will behave myself prudently in a perfect way. David here shows that he carefully considered how weighty a charge was laid upon him when he was made king. We know, and it is a truth taught us by experience, that almost all kings are intoxicated with the splendors of royalty; and the proverb was not without foundation in ancient times, “A king must be born either a king or a fool.” It is indeed a mistake to say that kings are born fools.

Men were led to speak in this manner because it commonly happens that those who are invested with the government of kingdoms and empires are fools and blockheads. And surely it is a remarkable instance of God’s vengeance that beasts, and those who are altogether unworthy to be numbered among men, commonly possess the highest authority.

But although kings are not born fools, they are so blinded by their dignity that they think themselves in no way indebted to their subjects, become arrogant and haughty in their demeanor, recklessly plunge into their pleasures, and eventually utterly forget themselves. David therefore says, I will behave myself prudently, or, which amounts to the same thing, I will watch myself carefully. For it is a rare virtue when a man who can do as he pleases exercises such moderation as not to allow himself any liberty to do evil.

Therefore, he who is exalted to sovereign power and yet, instead of attempting to go as far as he can in doing mischief, restrains himself by self-control, is endowed with true understanding. In short, David declares that he will not be like other kings who are infatuated by their own dignity, but that according to the greatness of the charge imposed upon him, he would endeavor wisely to perform his duty.

It should be observed that he represents wisdom as consisting in a perfect way, or in uprightness. From this we learn that tyrants who employ their talents in devising wicked schemes, and who are daily contriving new methods for burdening and oppressing their subjects—in short, who are ingenious only in doing mischief—are not wise towards God.

Many people, it is true, dislike such craftiness; but still, it is undeniable that if kings are intent on enlarging the boundaries of their kingdom and are masters of refined policy for accomplishing such a purpose, this is considered the most perfect wisdom they can possess and is extolled to the skies.

David, on the contrary, covets no other wisdom but that which is the mistress of integrity. The words Till thou comest to me may be read in two ways. Some translate them interrogatively, When wilt thou come? as if David implored God not to subject him to any longer delay.

And truly he had just cause to groan and lament when he saw himself so long oppressed with poverty and driven from place to place as a wretched exile. It would have been better for him to have lived obscurely and unnoticed in his father’s cottage, following his former occupation as a shepherd, than to be anointed king, only to be driven out of his country and live in utter dishonor and hatred.

But I prefer reading the sentence without interrogation, as until or when thou comest. Yet even this I interpret somewhat differently from the majority of commentators. I understand it to mean that although David still continued as a private person and did not enjoy the royal power that had been promised him, he nevertheless did not cease in the meantime to pursue uprightness.

Thus he sets the midst of his house in opposition to palaces and public buildings, as if he had said, Within my private house or in my family.