Psalm 101

The King's Promise of Justice and Integrity

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Intro

Psalm 101 is a royal psalm, a commitment to lead with justice and integrity, both in personal conduct and in the governance of others. With the New Covenant perspective, this Psalm echoes the righteous character and just rule of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.

Section 1: Praise and Commitment to Righteousness (Verses 1-4)

"I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, to You, O Lord, I will sing praises. I will give heed to the blameless way. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me."

Harmony

The commitment to righteousness and integrity is mirrored in 1 Peter 1:15-16, which instructs believers to be holy in all their conduct, just as God who called them is holy.

Talking Points:

1. The commitment to sing of God's lovingkindness and justice.

2. The pledge to lead and live in a righteous and blameless manner.

3. The resolve to avoid worthless things and reject evil.

Questions:

1. How can we reflect God's lovingkindness and justice in our own lives?

2. What does it look like to lead and live in a righteous and blameless manner?

3. How can we identify and reject the worthless things and evil influences in our lives?

Section 2: Association with the Faithful (Verses 5-6)

"A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. My eyes will be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me."

Harmony

The importance of righteous association and disassociation from evil is echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:33, warning that bad company corrupts good morals.

Talking Points:

1. The repudiation of perverse hearts and evil practices.

2. The rejection of arrogance and slander.

3. The value placed on associating with the faithful and blameless.

Questions:

1. How can we discern and resist perverse hearts and evil practices in our lives?

2. How does an understanding of God's disdain for arrogance and slander influence our interactions with others?

3. How can we cultivate and appreciate righteous association in our lives?

Section 3: The Commitment to Justice (Verses 7-8)

"No one who practices deceit shall dwell within my house; No one who speaks falsehood shall stand before my eyes. Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, so as to cut off from the city of the Lord all those who do iniquity."

Harmony

This commitment to justice aligns with Revelation 21:8, which speaks of the ultimate judgment of the deceitful and wicked.

Talking Points:

1. The intolerance for deceit and falsehood.

2. The commitment to destroy wickedness.

3. The anticipation of a city free from iniquity.

Questions:

1. How does the intolerance for deceit and falsehood inform our own communication and interactions?

2. How can we commit to fighting against wickedness in our own lives and communities?

3. What does a city free from iniquity look like, and how does this shape our understanding of God's kingdom?

Summary

Psalm 101:1-8 expresses a commitment to lead with justice, integrity, and righteousness. 

These themes find echoes in the New Covenant as seen in the call to holy conduct (1 Peter 1:15-16), the warning against corrupt company (1 Corinthians 15:33), and the anticipation of God's ultimate judgment on the wicked (Revelation 21:8). 

This Psalm, seen in light of Christ's righteous rule, challenges believers to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of God's kingdom, to foster righteous relationships, and to yearn for a world free from wickedness and deceit.

Psalms