You Are Not the Only One

Unless otherwise cited the scriptures in this devotional are from the King James Version of the Bible found on Bible Gateway.

Context

The title implies that King David is the composer of this particular psalm. The body of the psalm supports the idea that the writer is a royal and or a kingship song. The writer indicates that they have the power to silence those who slander their neighbor. See verse 5. They even the power to cut off every evil person from the City of the Lord. See verse 8.

The speaker argues his innocence before God. See also Psalm 26. On the other hand, it does not demonstrate a lengthy complaint about being separated from God, it does connote a feeling of distance from God. Therefore one can conclude that this royal psalm is also a psalm of lament. This psalm connects the reader with the wisdom influence of the teaching of the Book of Proverbs.

I will follow you, only, Lord

The writer begins this segment of the psalm by detailing his intentions to worship the Lord, tell of His marvelous love towards him, and his covenant relationship with Him. He will follow His instructions. Longman says the writer exclaimed what he would do, “He will worship God by extolling God’s love (or covenant loyalty; ḥ esed ) and his justice ” (Longman 2014, 352). Not only will he follow YHWH’s instructions he will also out a distance between him and evildoers “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Longman feels that “house” means dynasty. So David is speaking for the generations to come.

He also states his desire to maintain a distance between himself and “faithless” people. Longman posits that the translation for “faithless people’ is difficult because “The word for ‘faithless people’ ( bĕliyya‘al ) is hard to translate in a precise way” (ibid 353). Today Christians should, “hate” evil, but not evil people. (Heb. 10:38). Psalm 41:8 tells us to “cleaveth fast unto him.” That was the psalmist’s declaration. Because he is living a lifestyle that is in step with God’s commandments he is asking God “O when wilt thou come unto me?” Don’t we feel this way sometimes? When things are just not working out like they should? Look up child of God He is still with us.

I will silence evil doers, Lord.

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. 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.⁷ He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.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.

Slandering people is NOT of GOD, regardless of the circumstance.

Psalm 101:5 “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, he will I cut off: him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.” Slander of any kind is not looked upon in a mind manner. The psalmist declares that he will silence negativity. Negativity should never be who we are. We should never become a part of that type of speech. The Book of [See Prov. 10:18; 20:19] regularly condemns slander. pride and any speech the denotes that a person is the CENTER of the world. That is just contemptible. Anyone who refuses to listen to counsel and is contemptible is not a leader who knows anything about godly leadership (Prov. 3:7; 21:24; 29:23).

The people who are my advisors will be righteous.

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.

The king looks out for the faithful in The Lord and those who live righteously to serve with him. Their lives had to be blameless. It is amazing to me how we make excuses for the people to whom we have given leadership positions to. That has NEVER been God’s plan. We are willing to accept any type of deplorable behavior as long as the person supports our pet peeves. How does that line up with this passage or even God’s intent? (See Proverbs 22:11.)

The king distances himself from liars.

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.

The psalmist knows that when a leader listens to lies, he leads the nation into committing wickedness. “If a ruler hearkens to lies, all his servants are wicked.” Prov. 29:12 A Christian leader frees his people from the shackles of sin by leading and listening to counselors who are all free from sin. He does not consort with liars and wicked people. There is a difference between a truly God lead leader and us. Yes, David sinned, but he repented of that sin and did not commit it again.

The Book of Samuel shows us how David attempted to live a righteous life. Read about this servant of God’s life. Even his son Solomon did not strive to live a blameless life. No king that followed David longed to live a blameless life. He is there as an example to Christians that it is possible as long as we focus on God. No will not be completely blameless, but neither was David. Remember (Rom. 3:23).

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” It is not an excuse for abhorrent behavior. It is a factual statement about who we are in Christ. So each and every one of us can read Psalm 101 and know that the blood of Jesus Christ applied to out lives makes us blameless.

Reference

Longman, Tremper, III. Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary, InterVarsity Press, 2014. Google Books.