Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
6. He is ever on the look out for men of probity and integrity to be his companions and confidential ministers.
he shall serve me ] He shall minister unto me (R.V.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land … – I will look to them to be employed in my house, and in my service. The word rendered faithful means those who are worthy of belief or confidence. It does not necessarily mean those who are pious or religious – though it is often used to denote such persons, in reference to the principal trait in the character of the pious, that is, confidence or faith in God. The essential meaning here is, that he would seek those who were trustworthy; on whom he could place reliance; whose truth, fidelity, and honesty he could confide in. This would be most certainly found in those who are faithful to God, and who would then be faithful to lower obligations. Undoubtedly, also, it is desirable, on some accounts, to have only such in our employ, if such can be found. But we are not to regard this passage as teaching the doctrine, even by the example of the psalmist, that we are to employ no persons but such as are truly religious. There are others who will be found faithful, honest, and reliable; and they have such a claim to our confidence as to impose on us a moral obligation to show them that confidence – so far, at least, that we shall not, by any act of ours, declare them not worthy of trust because they are not religious. Besides, it may be desirable, on many accounts, that persons who are not religious should be brought under the influence of religion in pious families, and enjoy the advantages which may be connected with a religious household. In seeking our own interest, and what will be for our own welfare and happiness, we should not be unmindful of what may be for the good of others. Religion may extend itself much in the world by thus bringing into the service of religious households those who may, by example, instruction, and prayer, be led to the possession and practice of true religion.
He that walketh in a perfect way … – Margin, perfect in the way. The translation in the text is the more correct. The phrase means an upright man; a man of integrity. It does not necessarily imply that he is absolutely holy, or free from all sin, but that he is upright, consistent, honest: a man whose moral character is developed in proper proportions, or is such that it may be relied on. See the notes at Job 1:1.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 101:6
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me.
The King and His court
I. Who are these faithful men to whom Jesus, our King, will have respect at all times?
1. They are true in their dealings with God. How many a man has become a bankrupt by a lavish expenditure which exceeded his income! He said that he must keep up appearances, and he did keep up appearances till they became his ruin. God grant that you and I may never try to keep up appearances before Him! Be what you would seem to be; and in the presence of God never seem to be or dream of seeming to be what you are not. Thus I think we, first of all, know the faithful by their upright dealing with God.
2. This will lead them to be true in their dealings with men. That man is not faithful in Gods esteem who is not upright, honest, true to a hairs breadth, in his dealings with his fellow-men. We must stand to our bond even though we lose by it. We must be true to the word we speak though it be to our own hurt.
3. Such people will, in the next place, always be true in their dealings with men on Gods behalf. I think this passage bears very pertinently upon the minister, and upon the Sunday-school teacher, and upon the Christian worker.
4. These faithful men are thorough in all that they do. The psalmist says, He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. May I be permitted to say, especially to you who are commencing the Christian life, that if you wish to live near to God, and to be greatly used of Him, it is important that you should begin as you mean to go on, by endeavouring to walk in a perfect way? Be you determined that, if others do as they please, you are not accountable for their action; but you will do what you believe to be right. If you are a Christian, go through with it; be a follower of Christ in every respect as far as the Word of God and your own conscience lead you.
II. What will the King do with them?
1. His eye of search will seek them out. There is a working-man who, the other day, in the midst of a swearing company, rebuked the blasphemer, and spoke up for Christ. That noble action is not recorded in the newspaper, and never will be; but Gods eye is upon the faithful of the land.
2. His eye of favour will cheer them. God greatly favours and blesses those whom by His grace He makes to be faithful.
3. They shall dwell with God. Oh, this is a choice privilege! When grace makes a man faithful, God rewards his faithfulness by permitting him to dwell in close communion with his Lord. It is a wonderful thing to me that, if we have any good works, God always works them in us, and then he rewards us for them as if they were our own. He gives us grace, and then smiles on us because of the grace that He Himself gives.
4. They shall be Christs servants. I do not know which is the greater privilege, He shall dwell with me, or, He shall serve me. Perhaps the second is the higher. Have you ever thought what an honour it is to be permitted to do anything for God? For God to bless us, is great condescension on His part; but for Him to permit us to be of any use to Him, this is a wonderful honour from His right hand.
III. How may we get among these faithful ones?
1. Perhaps we can truly say, God helping us, we hope that we are among them. If so, it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves. If there be any faithfulness, if there be any uprightness, unto God be the glory of it all. Pray that you may never lose your faithfulness, but that you may be kept even unto the end.
2. But now I speak to others who are not as yet faithful. You say, How are we to get among the faithful?
(1) Well, I should say, first, so far as you may be, and so far as your light goes, be faithful to-night, be honest in confessing sin. Before you sleep, put yourself before God just as you are.
(2) Then, next, be anxious to have a new heart and a right spirit.
(3) Be sincere in all your dealings with the living God.
(4) Depend continually on the Lord Jesus and His Word to make and keep you faithful. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 6. Mine eyes] My approbation.
Upon the faithful] The humble, upright followers of God.
That they may dwell with me] Be my confidants and privy counsellors. No irreligious or wicked man, whatever his abilities may be, shall be countenanced or supported by me. I will purify my court from the base, the irreligious, the avaricious, the venal, the profligate, and the wicked.
He that walketh in a perfect way] He that is truly religious.
He shall serve me.] Shall be my prime minister, and the chief officer in my army, and over my finances.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful; either,
1. To find them out. Or,
2. To favour or encourage them, as this phrase is oft used, as Psa 34:15; Jer 39:12; 40:4. The faithful; men of truth, justice, and integrity, who will be faithful, first to God, and then to me and to my people.
Dwell with me; or, to sit, or abide, or converse with me, in my house, and counsels, and public administrations.
In a perfect way; in the way of Gods precepts, which are pure and perfect.
He shall serve me in domestic and public employments.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. Mine eyes . . . uponor, Iwill select reliable and honest men for my servants.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land,…. To look them out, bring them to court, and promote them to places of honour and trust; such an one was David himself, and such there were in the land of Israel, though but few, and of which he complains, Ps 12:1. Christ’s eyes are upon faithful persons, on faithful ministers of the word, who preach the Gospel faithfully, administer the ordinances truly, are faithful to the souls of men in watching over them, reproving and exhorting them; his eyes are upon them to keep and preserve them, and to honour and reward them with a crown of life that fadeth not away; and his eyes are also on faithful members of churches, such who truly believe in him, who hold fast the faithful word, and keep close to his worship and ordinances; his eyes are upon them, to show favour to them, to bestow blessings upon them, and to protect and defend them, and preserve them from perishing:
that they may dwell with me; or, “sit with me” p; at his table, or at the council board, or in judgment, and assist him in the affairs of government: so such as are faithful shall dwell with Christ both here and hereafter; they dwell in him and with him by faith, and have communion with him; they dwell in his house below, and shall dwell with him above for evermore:
he that walketh in a perfect way; in God’s way, in the way he has prescribed and directed, to what is perfect; in a way agreeable to his word, in all his commandments and ordinances, in Christ, the way, the truth, and the life:
and in the way of perfect men q, as it may be rendered; in the way that such walk; and though he does not walk perfectly, or without sin, yet sincerely and uprightly:
he shall serve me; be taken into my service, be employed by me, as a prime minister, a counsellor, a secretary of state, or in other lesser places under David. But, as it refers to Christ, it signifies that such an one shall be a servant of his, which is no small honour; for, where he is, there shall his servant be, Joh 12:26. The Targum is,
“he shall stand with my servants;”
in his house here, and at his right hand hereafter.
p “ad sedendum”, Montanus; “ut sedeant”, V. L. Gejerus. q “in via integra vel integri”, Michaelis.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6 My eyes are towards the faithful of the land David here lays down another virtue of a wise prince, when he affirms that it will be his care to make all the faithful of the land his intimate friends, — that he will avail himself of their good offices, and have as domestic servants such only as are distinguished for personal worth. Some understand the words, that they may dwell with me, in a general sense thus: I will not neglect the good and inoffensive, nor will I suffer them to be unjustly molested; but I will secure, that under my administration, they shall live in a state of peace and tranquillity. But his meaning rather is, that he will exercise discretion and care, that, instead of taking persons into his service indiscriminately, he may wisely determine each man’s character, so as to have those who live a life of strict integrity as his most intimate friends, and that he may intrust them with the offices of state. He speaks of the faithful in the first place, because, although a man may possess talents of a high order, yet if he is not devoted to fidelity and integrity, he will never rightly execute the office of a judge. This is worthy of special notice; for although a prince may be the best of men, yet if his servants and officers are not of a corresponding character his subjects will experience hardly any advantage from his uncorrupted integrity. Servants are the hands of a prince, and whatever he determines for the good of his subjects they will wickedly overthrow it, provided they are avaricious, fraudulent, or rapacious. This has been more than sufficiently demonstrated by experience. The greater part of kings, indeed, passing over the good and the upright, or, which is worse, driving them away from them, purposely seek to have as servants those who are like themselves, and who may prove fit tools for their tyranny; yea, even good and well disposed princes often manifest so much indolence and irresolution as to suffer themselves to be governed by the worst counsels, and inconsiderately prostitute the offices of state by conferring them on the unworthy.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful I will choose my officers of government with reference to their moral qualities and merit, rather than to the accidents of wealth or birth.
He that walketh in a perfect way He alludes to Psa 101:2. He had chosen for himself the same.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 101:6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful In the third verse he resolved, that he would set no wicked thing before his eyes: Here he informs us what he would particularly set his eyes on, and who the persons were whom he would encourage with his smiles, and look on with an affectionate regard; namely, The faithful in the land; men of piety, probity, and virtue: These should sit or dwell with him. He would use them as his familiars and friends, employ them in the domestic services of his palace, and advance them to public offices and stations in his kingdom. This is a circumstance which Pliny mentions particularly in honour of the emperor Trajan, in his panegyric, ch. 5:
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader, pause over these verses. Behold in one, what endearing doctrine it contains! Behold in the other, the solemn denunciations. Like the pillar of a cloud, in the wilderness, the aspect of glory and light to the one, becomes darkness and terror to the other. Jesus! Let thine eyes be upon him that now writes, and him that hereafter may read these lines; and let the sweet influences of thy Holy Spirit induce faithfulness, and every needed grace, in our hearts. Oh! to dwell with thee, thou condescending Lord of thy people, and thou to dwell with us, and be in us, the hope of glory: what unspeakable felicity is this! Come, Lord, and make our hearts thy home; and dwell in us, and reign and rule in us, forever. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 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.
Ver. 6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land ] i.e. Let them live where they will, I will hearken them out, and find them out. The Rabbis say, that here David repenteth him of taking into his service and tuition those indebted and discontented persons, men of broken fortunes and loose manners, 1Sa 22:1-2 , and resolveth to be better advised in the choosing and using of his retinue when he cometh to the kingdom, that his court might be like that of Cyrus, whereof Xenophon saith, that though a man should seek or choose blindfold, he could not miss of a good man (Cyrop. l. 8). Zonaros mainly commendeth Valentinian I and Leo Armeuius, emperors, for their good choice of both civil and military officers. He condemneth as much Macrinus for the contrary.
He shall serve me
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 101:6-8
6My eyes shall 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.
7He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;
He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me.
8Every 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.
Psa 101:6 Several English translations make both Psa 101:5-6 separate strophes (NRSV, NJB). This is possibly because Psa 101:3-5 (and 7) describe who the king will not accept, while Psa 101:6 describes those he will accept. These are the kinds of faithful followers who are like the king himself (cf. Psa 101:1-2).
Psa 101:7 before me This construct of BDB 617 and BDB 744 is repeated from Psa 101:3 a. This phrase is parallel to within my house, which is another reason to see this Psalm as authored by the king.
Psa 101:8 This verse seems to have an eschatological orientation.
1. every morning (i.e., coming of light; or simply the time the king held court, cf. 2Sa 15:2)
2. the land (i.e., has several possible connotations, see Special Topic: Land, Country, Earth )
3. the city of the Lord (see Revelation 21-22, where it becomes imagery of all the people of God, i.e., the holy city, new Jerusalem)
4. cut off. . .all those who do iniquity (cf. Mat 25:31-46; Rev 20:11-15; Rev 21:8; Rev 21:27)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Is this a royal Psalm? Why or why not?
2. Does Psa 101:1 describe YHWH or the king?
3. Why is Psa 101:2 b so difficult to interpret?
4. Does Psa 101:3 refer to idolatry?
5. Is Psa 101:8 eschatological or ideal?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
the land: i.e. Palestine, as in Psa 100:1.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mine: Psa 15:4, Psa 34:15, Psa 119:63, Pro 28:28, Pro 29:2, Mat 24:45, Luk 12:43, Luk 12:44, Rom 13:1-4
that they: Joh 12:26, Joh 14:3, Joh 17:24, Rev 3:20, Rev 3:21, Rev 21:3
in a perfect way: or, perfect in the way, Psa 119:1-3, *marg. Phi 3:12-15
Reciprocal: Lev 14:42 – General 2Sa 22:33 – perfect Neh 4:16 – my servants Neh 7:2 – a faithful man Psa 101:2 – behave Pro 20:8 – General Pro 22:11 – that Pro 28:20 – faithful Act 10:2 – with 2Ti 2:2 – faithful Tit 2:10 – showing
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
101:6 Mine eyes [shall be] upon the {e} faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
(e) He shows what the true use of the sword is, to punish the wicked and to maintain the good.