Psalm 101

A psalm of David, you might imagine he wrote this as a vow upon ascending to the throne of Israel. However, it is rooted much farther back in David’s life when he was just a shepherd boy. The shepherd is the quintessential biblical image of moral manhood, and all the more so for one who actually cares for a flock of people. Anyone with social leverage is morally bound to this manner of leadership.

We dare not forget that the image of holiness is striving to maintain social order on God’s terms. The Law of Moses detailed what social stability meant in Israel, offering a clear path. David’s primary image of wickedness is someone who wanders from that path of moral truth. Do they want something not provided in the Law? Let them keep going and not come back; they don’t belong in the flock of Israel.

David begins by vowing to celebrate the mercy and justice of God. This is how he will worship his God. He declares his sincere intention to walk in purity by the Lord’s wisdom in his heart. What kind of man is eager for his Master’s inspection of his work? This is quite the opposite of Adam and Eve hiding from God in the Garden. Lesser men are always looking for ways to avoid such close attention, but David craves it because it also means he will grow closer and have a better image of his Lord. Thus, from such close communion, he will be able to walk in full integrity.

He uses a colloquial Hebrew expression — setting something before one’s eyes — to indicate he would dismiss quickly anything that doesn’t actively promote his commission from God. He would shortly brush off anyone that fails to show a similar commitment to the Law. Because David lives by his heart, he is ready to sense the hearts of others. He has no time for hearts that don’t resonate with similar convictions.

Let them sneak around and stir up trouble for others, seeking an advantage in diminishing someone else. David trusts that God will reveal such evil to him so he can take action. In the presence of a penitent king, there is no room for arrogant and ambitious courtiers.

Instead, David will keep his heart’s radar attuned to others with a commitment to the Lord. These are the people he will promote into his royal service. The first time he senses deception, that person is put out on the street. Indeed, he’ll start the day bright and early looking out for troublemakers. While he would hardly claim to be the perfect judge, he knows that laziness about it will ensure God’s wrath. So by investing some energy in sifting out false hearts, David hopes to keep the windows of Heaven open to rain blessings on his reign.