Psa 101:2-5 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 2. I will behave myself wisely ] God's law prescribes a perfect way of life; in this perfect way I have professed to walk, and I must act wisely in order to walk in it. When wilt thou come unto me? ] I can neither walk in this way, nor grow wise unto salvation, unless thou come unto me by thy grace and Spirit; for without thee I can do nothing. I will walk within my house ] It is easier for most men to walk with a perfect heart in the Church , or even in the world , than in their own families . How many are as meek as lambs among others , when at home they are wasps or tigers ! The man who, in the midst of family provocations, maintains a Christian character, being meek, gentle , and long-suffering to his wife , his children , and his servants , has got a perfect heart , and adorns the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things. The original is very emphatic; ethhallech , "I will set myself to walk," I will make it a determined point thus to walk. I will bear and forbear with children, servants, &c., not speaking rashly, nor giving way to bad tempers. Through various motives a man will behave with propriety and decorum among others; but none of these motives operate in his own house, where he feels himself master, and consequently under no restraint.

‏ Psalms 101:2-5

Verse 2. I will behave myself wisely] God's law prescribes a perfect way of life; in this perfect way I have professed to walk, and I must act wisely in order to walk in it.

When wilt thou come unto me?] I can neither walk in this way, nor grow wise unto salvation, unless thou come unto me by thy grace and Spirit; for without thee I can do nothing.

I will walk within my house] It is easier for most men to walk with a perfect heart in the Church, or even in the world, than in their own families. How many are as meek as lambs among others, when at home they are wasps or tigers! The man who, in the midst of family provocations, maintains a Christian character, being meek, gentle, and long-suffering to his wife, his children, and his servants, has got a perfect heart, and adorns the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things.

The original is very emphatic; ethhallech, "I will set myself to walk," I will make it a determined point thus to walk. I will bear and forbear with children, servants, &c., not speaking rashly, nor giving way to bad tempers. Through various motives a man will behave with propriety and decorum among others; but none of these motives operate in his own house, where he feels himself master, and consequently under no restraint.

Verse 3. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes] I will undertake no unjust wars; will enter into no sinful alliances; will not oppress my subjects by excessive taxation, to support extravagance in my court. I will not look favourably on things or words of Belial. What is good for nothing or evil in its operation, what is wicked in its principle, and what would lead me away from righteousness and truth, I will never set before my eyes.

Them that turn aside] I shall particularly abominate the conduct of those who apostatize from the true religion, and those who deny its Divine authority, and who live without having their conduct governed by its influence, such shall never he put in a place of political trust or confidence by me.

Verse 4. A froward heart] Rash and headstrong men shall not be employed by me.

I will not know a wicked person.] I will give no countenance to sinners of any kind; and whatever is evil shall be an object of my abhorrence.

Verse 5. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour] All flatterers and time-servers, and those who by insinuations and false accusations endeavour to supplant the upright, that they may obtain their offices for themselves or their dependants, will I consider as enemies to the state, I will abominate, and expel them from my court.

The Chaldee gives a remarkable meaning to the Hebrew, melasheni bassether reehu, which we translate, Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, and which it renders thus, demishtaey lishan telitai al chabreyah: "He who speaks with the triple tongue against his neighbour." That is, the tongue by which he slays three persons, viz., 1. The man whom he slanders; 2. Him to whom he communicates the slander; and, 3. Himself, the slanderer. Every slanderer has his triple tongue, and by every slander inflicts those three deadly wounds. Such a person deserves to be cut off. On this subject St. Jerome speaks nearly in the same way: Ille qui detrahit, et se, et illum qui audit, demergit; "He who slanders ruins both himself and him who hears him;" he might have added, and him who is slandered, for this is often the case; the innocent are ruined by detraction.

A high look and a proud heart] One who is seeking preferment; who sticks at nothing to gain it; and one who behaves himself haughtily and insolently in his office.

Will not I suffer.] lo uchal, I cannot away with. These persons especially will I drive from my presence, and from all state employments.