Psalms 101:0 ¶ A Psalm of David.
This psalm is specifically identified as being a composition of David, the shepherd king.
Psalms 101:1 ¶ I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
“mercy” = kindness; by implication (towards God)…beauty, favor, pity
“judgment” = judging according to divine law
As shown by so many psalms, David’s music centered around his thoughts of God—as the Creator and Sovereign of the universe, as the God of Israel, and as His personal LORD and Savior. His songs were basically a result of his prayers put to music.
My first thought was that this verse was an expression of singing about God’s goodness and righteous faithfulness toward His people. After looking at Strong’s, I think he could be focused on the actions of God’s people as they evidence their love for God through acts of kindness and righteous judgment. I think this possibility is supported by the fact that the rest of the psalm is addressing the actions of men—both good and bad. In fact, it would seem to be a declaration from David to rule with “mercy and judgment.”
Psalms 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
This verse is an expression of David’s commitment to behave with intelligence and wisdom and in sincerity with integrity. The question in the middle of the verse indicates that David is experiencing a time of testing in which He is waiting for God to act on his behalf. I got the idea that he is trying to encourage God to act by promising to live before Him with a “perfect heart.” The Hebrew for “perfect” makes reference to moral innocence and integrity. He understands that it is who we are in private that best testifies to who we really are.
I decided to see what Webster had to say about integrity: “The state or quality of being entire or complete….Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive….purity.” As Jesus so carefully explained in His teaching on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), God is looking at our actions as the outworking of our motives. David is declaring his intent to live righteously and without deceit before God in his home (and before the people of Israel I believe is implied). We all know that to maintain our righteousness at home is the hardest. Family is the first to be able to spot insincerity and/or deceitfulness in our actions.
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
I think scripture very strongly warns us that temptation often comes to us through our eyes. It certainly played a part in Eve falling for Satan’s lies.
Genesis 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat….”
Proverbs 27:20 “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
David is committed to avoiding temptation by controlling what he chooses to put before his eyes. This is called being proactive in guarding his heart. I have made a similar commitment in later years that I sure wish I had made when I was young. It is so hard in today’s culture to keep that commitment. Our entertainment industry is crafted around appealing to the lust of the eyes and the flesh. Even if you are discerning about what you watch on television, you still have to deal with the commercials that utilize the same tactic of appealing to the lust of the eyes and the flesh.
David was motivated by a sincere hatred of the wickedness of those that choose to turn aside from God’s commands (and embrace what is wicked is the implication). He is determined not to let such wickedness become a part of his life. He wants his life to be above reproach.
It is important to note that David is declaring hatred for the sin, but not for the sinner. That is in accordance with the heart of God.
Psalms 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
A “froward heart” is a reference to being “distorted…false…perverse.” It is evidenced by deliberate choices to embrace what is evil with a stubborn heart and rebellious spirit. David is determined that this will never be a description of him. He is determined not to have intimate fellowship with those who have such hearts.
Psalms 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
David is determined not to tolerate those who would secretly slander his neighbor. Only cowards and/or those with immoral motives would make such accusations. Isn’t it interesting that he connects those who slander with those who are proud and arrogant? He is determined not to tolerate such people in his administration.
Psalms 101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
David desires that his kingdom be enjoyed by those who are faithful to God and whose hearts are morally pure, honest and without deceit. He expects those who serve to do so with sincerity and integrity (as discussed in verse 2 above).
I was reminded of the words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
David embraced this principle.
Psalms 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Psalms 101:8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
David is determined that the wicked and deceitful not be allowed to serve in the palace; those who are liars will not be tolerated. His determination is to rid Israel of those who have rejected serving God and chosen to live in sin and rebellion against Him. He wants Jerusalem to be a city of only the faithful and obedient who accept God as LORD. I think this is basically a statement of committing to dispense righteous judgment as king.
Though David would prove to fall short in light of these commitments, he always responded with a heart of repentance and renewed obedience while maintaining his faith in his LORD. He was privileged to be identified in scripture as a “man after God’s own heart.”
Acts 13:22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
As I looked back over this psalm, I thought how wonderful it would be if our government in America operated with these guidelines.
To act with wisdom and integrity
To hate what is evil and wicked according to God’s word
To limit service to those of moral character according to God’s word
To be intolerant of slander
To disqualify for service those who lie or are deceitful
To judge with righteous judgment according to the principles of God’s word
I am convinced this will never be the norm until the LORD Jesus returns to establish His kingdom.
Psalms 102:0 ¶ A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.
“afflicted” = depressed, in mind or circumstances, needy, poor
The word “afflicted” covers a wide variety of troubles that can affect a person, including mental and physical. This psalm is a prayer from one who is overwhelmed to the point of fainting under the pressure of his affliction. He has wisely chosen to pour out his complaint before the LORD, the only one who knows our needs and can deliver us from any affliction.
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
In reading through this chapter, I think the Psalmist is suffering both mentally and physically.
Psalms 102:1 ¶ Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
Psalms 102:2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
Psalms 102:3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
The Psalmist opens by pleading with the LORD to listen to his plea for help. He wants to know that God hears him and wants evidence of that fact quickly. He feels like his days are disappearing like smoke as he suffers from a great fever that he fears is killing him.
Prayer is a beautiful privilege. We are so blessed to have the indwelling Holy Spirit and a loving Savior interceding for us to grant us direct access to the throne of God. We are encouraged to come boldly before the throne seeking mercy and grace to help us in time of need. No, we should never demand that God answer our prayers in a specific way or timeframe, but we are always free to plead our case before Him. Then we can rest in the fact that He will answer in accordance with what is best for us as His child.
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Matthew 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Romans 8:27–28 “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Psalms 102:4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
Psalms 102:5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
Psalms 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
Psalms 102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
The Psalmist is so sick at heart that he forgets to eat and has lost a lot of weight. He feels like a lonely bird in a desolate place that can only lead to its destruction. He paints a picture of great loneliness as he lay suffering.
Spurgeon: “Grief often destroys the appetite, and the neglect of food tends further to injure the constitution and create a yet deeper sinking of spirit. As the smitten flower no longer drinks in the dew, or draws up nutriment from the soil, so a heart parched with intense grief often refuses consolation for itself and nourishment for the bodily frame, and descends at a doubly rapid rate into weakness, despondency, and dismay.”
Courson: “Pelicans don’t live in the wilderness. Owls aren’t found in the desert. Sparrows don’t dwell alone. Therefore, the psalmist is saying, ‘Nothing in my life is as it should be.’”
Psalms 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
It seems no one is there to give him comfort. He is surrounded by enemies that rejoice in his suffering.
Psalms 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Psalms 102:10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
Psalms 102:11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
Crying and lying in ashes or covering one’s head in ashes are signs of mourning and great suffering. He has concluded that God is angry at him and is responsible for bringing him to the point of death.
Interestingly, unlike Job or David, the Psalmist offers no words either questioning God’s actions or confessing any sin. He knows his fate in God’s hands.
Psalms 102:12 ¶ But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Psalms 102:13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
Psalms 102:14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
The Psalmist turns from his own troubles to remind himself of the truth about the LORD. He is the self-existent eternal God and will be remembered throughout the ages—past, present and future. He knows that the time is coming when the LORD will again have mercy upon Zion (representing Israel) and show her favor once again. He even knows that such a time has already been determined in the mind of God. Those that serve God rejoice in that truth.
Psalms 102:15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
Psalms 102:16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
Psalms 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
When that time comes, the heathen will fear the LORD, and all the rulers on earth will stand in awe of His glory. When the LORD returns in the fulness of His glory, He will build up Zion. This is in reference to the return of the LORD Jesus to set us His kingdom and rule from the throne of David at the end of the tribulation.
Revelation 19:11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war….and he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS…. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
I think that verse 17 could be a reference to the call of the people of Israel for the return of Jesus their Messiah to deliver them from the oppression and persecution of the Antichrist.
Matthew 23:37–39 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
Psalms 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Psalms 102:19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
Psalms 102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
Psalms 102:21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
Psalms 102:22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
The Psalmist declares a message to future generations, to a group of people that are yet to be created to praise the LORD. I think this is very possibly a reference to those that will make up the bride of Christ, the church, spiritual Israel. The apostle Paul declared this truth.
Romans 11:24–25 “For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
Galatians 3:29 “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
From His throne in heaven, the LORD watches all that occurs on planet earth. He hears the groanings of those that are bound by sin and headed for destruction. He provided a way to free those that were bound for hell by sending Jesus to be our Savior. When Jesus returns to set up His kingdom, He will rule from Mount Zion in Jerusalem. People and kingdoms will gather together there to praise the LORD and serve Him.
Psalms 102:23 ¶ He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
Psalms 102:24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
The Psalmist believes that God has determined that he should die young. He pleads with the eternal God to relent of that decision.
Psalms 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Psalms 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
Psalms 102:27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
The Psalmist acknowledges God as the Creator of heaven and earth. Though they shall perish, he knows that God will endure. He states that he knows that heaven and earth will deteriorate to the point that the LORD will one day “change” them, renew them. Though I don’t know how the Psalmist knew this, scripture supports that truth.
Mark 13:31 “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”
2 Peter 3:10–13 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” “new” = especially in freshness
In the days of Noah the earth was given a fresh beginning after purging by water. Following the 1000-year reign of Christ, both the heavens and the earth will be given a fresh beginning after being purged by fire. Creation will be free from the taint of sin.
The eternal God, however, is unchanging; He is always the same.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not….”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
The writer of Hebrews quotes these verses as he makes the point that Jesus is the Son of God, our Creator.
Hebrews 1:10–12 “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”
Psalms 102:28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
I think the Psalmist is referencing the children of Israel that enter the millennial kingdom—all of whom will be saved, as will all of their descendants. He’s choosing to end his psalm in hope—looking to the future when all nations, especially Israel, will serve the LORD.
Romans 11:26–27 “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”