Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
8. Morning by morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land;
That I may cut off all workers of iniquity from the city of Jehovah.
Day by day the king will hold his court of justice in the morning (2Sa 15:2; Jer 21:12), that he may purge Jerusalem of evil and make it a holy city, worthy of its high title ‘the city of Jehovah.’ Cp. Psa 46:4; Psa 48:1; Psa 48:8; Isa 1:26.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I will early destroy … – Hebrew, In the mornings I will destroy. That is, It shall be my first business as I enter upon the day. Possibly, also, by the use of the plural here – in the mornings – there may be the idea that this would be his constant rule of conduct: he would do it every day; he would do it morning by morning. He would on no day – at no time – allow the wicked to be in his service. This rule would be unvarying. It would extend through his life. The word destroy here may refer not only to his conduct as a man, and as the head of a family, but to the act of a magistrate; and the idea may be, that the rule which he prescribed for himself in his own house was a rule which he would carry with him into public: that is, as the psalm was composed by David, that, as a king and sovereign, it should be his aim to carry those principles to the throne; that, in respect to the state, he would do what he purposed to do in his home-relations. The strict and stern regard for truth, sincerity, honesty, fidelity, which he would evince in the one case he would evince in the other; carrying to the high employments of public life, where there were so many temptations to a contrary course, the inflexible virtues which were needful for peace, for happiness, and for success in domestic life.
That I may cut off – By discountenancing them; by punishing them if they are guilty.
All wicked doers – All violators of law.
From the city of the Lord – From Jerusalem, the place where God dwelt, and which was sacred to his service. See Psa 46:4, note; Psa 48:2, note; Psa 48:8, note. Happy is the man at the head of a family – happy is the magistrate – who adopts for himself, and who faithfully carries out the principles laid down by the author of this psalm – divinely inspired to adopt such rules for himself, and to suggest them for others in all ages.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 101:8
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.
In the minds eye
On one occasion Sir Thomas Lawrence, the great painter, then President of the Royal Academy, visited the studio of a struggling young artist. He had noticed the young mans work, and thought it had some promise; but when he saw the sketches tacked up on the walls of the bare little room, he shook his head. They were rough, clever examples of the Flemish school, striking but coarse. If I were you, said the great painter to the beginner, I would not allow my eye to be familiarized with any but the highest forms of art. If you cannot afford to buy oil paintings, buy good engravings of great pictures. If you allow your eye to become familiar with what is vulgar in conception, however free and dashing the handling, and however excellent the feeling for colour, your taste will insensibly become depraved; whereas, if you habituate your eye to look only upon what is pure and grand, or refined and lovely, your taste will insensibly be elevated. It was sound artistic advice, and the young painter profited by it. It remains, also, sound moral advice for all young people. Our minds eye needs training as much as our physical vision. If we hang pictures in the halls of our brain that are not elevating, our moral perceptions will become lowered. The best thoughts are within our reach. Why should we choose, instead, thoughts that are flippant, vulgar, or worse? Every time we put an undesirable picture in our minds eye, where it will be often in view, we deprave our own understanding. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. If we wish to elevate and strengthen our souls, we must be careful in our choice of habitual thoughts. Whatsoever things are true, etc. It is well-known advice–but can it be bettered? (Free Church Record.)
I hate the work of them that turn aside.
Turning aside
I. Describe their character. The phrase, turn aside, denotes three things–
1. That there exists a way, path, or road in which we have to go.
2. That we have been in that way.
3. That there has been an awful departure from it.
(1) Some turn aside cowardly (Num 21:4).
(2) Some turn aside incautiously (1Sa 12:23). Bunyans Pilgrim, with his companion Hopeful, wandered into the grounds of Giant Despair, and ultimately found themselves in the dungeons of Doubting Castle. He discovered a stile which led into a meadow, where was a footpath that seemed to run parallel with the high-road; into this path he went, thinking that it would prove easier for his feet. Let this illustrate what is meant to be conveyed by the term turning aside incautiously.
(3) Others turn aside courteously and complaisantly.
(4) Some turn aside through unwatchfulness (Mat 26:41).
II. Illustrate their work.
1. An evil work (Jer 2:19).
2. A disgraceful and dishonourable work (Pro 14:34). What a disgraceful reflection it is upon the wisdom and economy of a man who begins to build, and is not able to finish! (Luk 14:28-30). How scandalous to forsake God, and associate with the devil; to exchange Christ for Belial, light for darkness, truth for error, liberty for bondage, heaven for hell!
3. It is a diabolical work; because it displays more of the devil than any other engagement pertaining to earth. It is following the example which apostate fiends have set. What was their original transgression but turning aside?
4. It is a ruinous work (Heb 10:28-29).
III. Exhibit the abhorrence of the psalmist.
1. Our hatred of this work should be sincere.
2. It should be publicly professed. Though the Christian ought to avoid the very appearance of ostentation, there are times when silence or neutrality would be highly criminal.
3. It should be constantly and cordially cherished. Pray that you may increase in the love of God; for in proportion as you love God, you will hate evil. Meditate also on the tremendous consequences which will not fail to follow.
4. It should be practically exemplified. Do not forget how possible it is for those who now profess to detest the evil, by slow, and almost, imperceptible, degrees to become familiarized with it, and ultimately being led to practise that which now they hate. David fell into this snare. Also Peter. How frail is human nature! Exemplify your detestation of the evil in question, by attending to the injunction of the apostle (Php 3:16). Persevere in the good way. (R. Treffry.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 8. I will early destroy] I will take the first opportunity of destroying all the wicked of the land. I will purify my court, purge Jerusalem, and cleanse the whole land of every abomination and abominable person; so that the city of my God, where holiness alone should dwell, shall indeed become the Holy City; that the state may be made prosperous, and the people happy. Such an administration must have been a good one, where such pious caution was used in choosing all the officers of the state.
ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND FIRST PSALM
There are two parts of this Psalm: –
I. The sum, with the dedication of it, Ps 101:1.
II. The full explanation of mercy and judgment, and how practiced: –
1. Towards himself, Ps 101:2-5.
2. Towards ungodly men, Ps 101:4-5; Ps 101:7-8.
3. Towards all good men, Ps 101:6.
I. The sum of the Psalm, mercy and judgment, the two great virtues of a king.
1. Mercy in countenancing, giving audience, judging, and rewarding the good.
2. Judgment in discountenancing, being a terror to and punishing the evil doers.
II. He begins with his own reformation and that of his house, that he may set a godly example to his kingdom.
1. “I will behave myself wisely:” most act foolishly; I shall be guided by Divine wisdom.
2. “I am in a perfect way:” I have professed to believe in the God of Israel, and I must walk suitably to this profession.
3. “When wilt thou come unto me?” I am sincere in my resolves; but without thee I can do nothing. Stand by me, and I will walk uprightly.
In his house he resolves, “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
1. “I will walk:” it shall be my constant employment.
2. “I will walk in my house:” I will see that my family fear God.
3. “I will walk with a perfect heart:” I shall do nothing for show; all shall be sincere and pious.
In order to walk in this perfect way, he promises, –
1. “I will set no wicked thing before my eyes:” evil desires enter more frequently into the soul by the eye than by any of the other senses.
2. “I hate the work of them that turn aside:” he that would leave sin must hate and abhor it: he that leaves God is an object of abhorrence.
3. “It shall not cleave to me:” it will cleave to him who cleaves to it. He who does not hate it, will cleave to it.
He shows what he will be towards the ungodly.
1. “A froward heart shall depart from me:” the headstrong, stubborn, and refractory.
2. “I will not know the wicked:” I shall not only not approve of such, but I will cultivate no acquaintance with them.
These wicked persons he particularizes. They are,
1. Slanderers: “Him that slandereth his neighbour I will cut off.”
2. The ambitious: “Him that hath a high look,” who wants influence and honour.
3. The proud: the haughty, who thinks all born to be his vassals.
How he will treat the godly.
1. “His eye shall be upon the faithful.” Of them he will take especial care; he shall dwell with me.
2. The truly religious, “he that walks in a perfect way,” shall be employed by himself. “He shall serve me.”
He farther states what he will do in reference to the ungodly.
1. No fraudulent person shall dwell in his house: “He that worketh deceit,” c.
2. Liars shall be banished out of his sight.
In this work he tells us how he would proceed.
1. “I will early destroy.” I will make despatch, that the land be not polluted.
2. The end, in reference to the Church: “I will cut off the wicked from the city of the Lord.” The city, the seat of government, the place of God’s altars, must be kept pure. There must be a thorough, a radical reform. No corruption or abuse, either in things political, domestic, or religious, shall be tolerated. All must be holy, as he who has called us is holy. This was a reformation according to God’s word not according to the caprice of the multitude.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Early; speedily, and without delay, as soon as I arise in the morning, or as soon as I am seated in the throne, that so I may both prevent all that mischief which otherwise they might do, and hinder the infection of others by their evil example, and discourage and deter all my subjects from the like practices. Heb. in the mornings, i.e. every morning, as the same phrase is used also, Job 7:18; Psa 73:14; Isa 33:2. The morning was the time allotted for the exercise of judgment. See Jer 21:12.
From the city of the Lord; either,
1. From Jerusalem, which, though now in the hands of the Jebusites, he looks upon by an eye of faith as if he had it in possession; which he designed for the chief and royal city of his kingdom, and for the seat of the ark and worship of God. And therefore this place above all others was to be purged and preserved from wickedness and wicked men. Or,
2. From the whole nation or commonwealth of Israel; for David did intend and was obliged to reform, not only that one city, but his whole kingdom, which also may come under the name of a city, as being combined and united under one government; for which reason the name of city is given both to the whole church of Christ, Isa 26:1; Heb 12:22; Rev 20:9 and to the great anti-church, the kingdom of mystical Babylon, Rev 11:8,17,18.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. will earlyor,”diligently.”
city of the Lordor,”holy place” (Ps 48:2),where wicked men shall not be tolerated.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, e.] Of the land of Israel, signifying that he would make a general reformation throughout the kingdom that as soon as wicked men were discovered in any part of the land, he would cut them off, would take the first opportunity of punishing them as the law directs: or he would do it “in morning” s, as in the Hebrew text; that is, every morning, constantly and continually;
s “in matutinis”, Montanus, Vatablus, Junius Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius so Ainsworth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
8 Early will I destroy all the wicked of the land The Psalmist at length concludes by asserting, that he will endeavor to the utmost of his power to purge the land from infamous and wicked persons. He affirms that he will do this early; for if princes are supine and slothful, they will never seasonably remedy the evils which exist. They must therefore oppose the beginnings of evil. The judge, however, must take care not to yield to the influence of anger, nor must he act precipitately and without consideration. The original word for early is in the plural number, (it being properly at the mornings,) which denotes unremitted exertion. It were not enough that a judge should punish the wicked sharply and severely in one or two instances: he must continue perseveringly in that duty. By this word is condemned the slothfulness of princes, when, upon seeing wicked men daringly break forth into the commission of crime, they connive at them from day to day, either through fear or an ill-regulated lenity. Let kings and magistrates then remember, that they are armed with the sword, that they may promptly and unflinchingly execute the judgments of God. David, it is true, could not purge the land from all defilements, however courageously he might have applied himself to the task. This he did not expect to be able to do. He only promises, that without respect of persons he will show himself an impartial judge, in cutting off all the wicked. Timidity often hinders judges from repressing with sufficient rigor the wicked when they exalt themselves. It is consequently necessary for them to be endued with a spirit of invincible fortitude, that relying upon Divine aid, they may perform the duties of the office with which they are invested. Moreover, ambition and favor sometimes render them pliant, so that they do not always punish offenses alike, where this ought to be done. Hence we learn that the strictness, which is not carried to excess, is highly pleasing to God; and, on the other hand, that he does not approve of the cruel kindness which gives loose reins to the wicked; as, indeed, there cannot be a greater encouragement to sin than for offenses to be allowed to pass unpunished. What Solomon says should therefore be remembered, (Pro 17:15) “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.” What David adds, That I may cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of God, is also emphatic. If even heathen kings are commanded in common to punish crimes, David well knew that he was under obligations of a more sacred kind to do so, since the charge of the Church of God had been committed to him. And certainly if those who hold a situation so honorable do not exert themselves to the utmost of their power to remove all defilements, they are chargeable with polluting as much as in them lies the sanctuary of God; and they not only act unfaithfully towards men by betraying their welfare, but also commit high treason against God himself. Now as the kingdom of David was only a faint image of the kingdom of Christ, we, ought to set Christ before our view; who, although he may bear with many hypocrites, yet as he will be the judge of the world, will at length call them all to an account, and separate the sheep from the goats. And if it seems to us that he tarries too long, we should think of that morning which will suddenly dawn, that all filthiness being purged away, true purity may shine forth.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) Early.Literally, in the morning: referring, as Perowne observes, to the Oriental custom of holding courts of law in the early morning (Jer. 21:12; 2Sa. 15:2; Luk. 22:66; Joh. 18:28).
City of the Lord.For similar expressions, see Psa. 46:4; Psa. 48:2; Psa. 48:8. The city must bear out its name in its character.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. I will early destroy Literally, In the mornings I will cut off. The plural form of the noun denotes a recurrence, or repetition, of the act, as often as occasion requires; and the figurative sense of the Hebrew word morning namely, early, speedily expresses the promptness with which he designs to execute the laws against the wicked. “Day by day will he execute his work of righteous judgment, purging out all ungodliness from the holy city.” Perowne. But the allusion is supposed, by some, to be to the oriental custom of holding judicial courts in the morning. See Jer 21:12; and compare Luk 22:16, and Joh 18:28.
Wicked doers This is the class which David would cut off: not simply men devoid of heart piety, but men actively engaged to introduce practices subversive of the religion of Jehovah, and hence enemies of the state as well. The government of the Hebrews was a theocracy; God was their real king and lawgiver. He had called and organized them, and appointed their laws and rulers. Their existence was a provision of God in the historical development of redemption, and what was against his laws was against the commonwealth, and the far reaching ends of providence. Such rebellion against God was treason as well. No similar government has ever been known upon the earth.
The city of the Lord As Jehovah was the true sovereign, so it should be the height of David’s ambition to make his city worthy of his abode. The New Testament prototype of this city the “New Jerusalem,” the “Jerusalem which is above the mother of us all,” (Gal 4:26,) is given Rev 21:27.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 101:8. I will early destroy all the wicked Literally, In the mornings I will destroy, &c. He resolves to devote all his mornings to the administration of justice, and the punishment of incorrigible offenders. This is a season most proper in itself for the management of all business, and which was generally appropriated to the administration of public affairs by princes and great men; as we learn from 2Sa 15:2. Jer 21:12. When the Psalmist adds, that I may cut off, or rather, till I have cut off all evil doers from the city of the Lord, it is, I think, an evident proof that he was now king over all Israel, and in possession of Jerusalem, styled by him the city of the Lord; because it was now the place of Jehovah’s peculiar residence, as David had lodged the ark in the midst of the tabernacle prepared for its reception: Dr. Chandler; who observes, that this psalm affords an admirable lesson for princes, to direct themselves in the administration of their affairs in public and private life. They should be the patrons of piety and virtue, and encourage them by their own example and practice. Those of their household, their servants, ministers, and particularly their favourites and friends, should be of unblameable characters, and, if possible, eminent for every thing which is excellent and praise-worthy. Subtle and fraudulent men, backbiters and slanderers, and private informers against others, they should detest, and should shew the utmost marks of displeasure to them. They should maintain the honour of the laws, and impartially punish all transgressors against them; and instead of indulging in ease, and being engrossed and dissipated by pleasure and amusement, they should consecrate a just portion of their time to the public service and promoting the real happiness of the people. Thus they will be indeed truly patriot kings, honoured of God, and esteemed and beloved of men.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 101
REFLECTIONS
Jesus! my song shall be of thee; and to God my Father will I sing. I will sing of thy person, sing of thy love, sing of thy grace, of thy mercy, nay, sing of thy judgments; for I know, Lord, that all thy judgments are right, and that in my deepest exercises, it is because of thy faithfulness that I am troubled. There can be nothing amiss in that which Jesus appoints. Nothing, therefore, shall Put my soul out of tune, while Jesus is my song. And that which is the work of heaven, shall, through thy grace, be my employment on earth. Jesus is, and hath been, and shall be, the one all-sufficient note of joy, and love, and praise, both now and forever.
And, holy Father, most gracious almighty God, to thee, will I sing of Jesus. It is thou that hast proclaimed Jesus from heaven as thy dear and ever blessed, and beloved Son, in whom thou art well pleased. And humbly, Lord, would I send up the feeble notes of my song of praise, to say how happy my poor soul is with such a Saviour! Lord, I will sing to thee of thy mercy in giving Christ; in the birth of Christ; in the death of Christ; in the resurrection of Christ; in the redemption by the blood and righteousness of Christ; in the ascension, exaltation, and triumphs of Christ; in the everlasting priesthood of Christ; in the gifts of the Spirit by Christ; and of all the blessings folded up and contained in this one unequalled gift of thy dear Son, Christ Jesus. This, Lord, shall be my song, my daily, hourly song, in this house of my pilgrimage, until thou shalt be pleased to take me home, to sing the high praises of Jehovah, in heaven, forever. And oh! thou blessed Spirit, wilt thou not tune my heart, and tune my harp, to this melody of soul, that I may sing with the spirit, and sing with the understanding also? Wilt thou not cause me to sing of Jesus, to sing of Him, who is the sweet singer in Israel, and the chief musician of all harmony? The first song of praise ever raised for man to sing, was of Jesus, which angels sung? Glory to God in the highest. And the everlasting song of heaven, to be sung by all the redeemed, is, To Him who was slain, and hath redeemed us by his blood. – Begin then, my soul, and never end thy song; but let Jesus live in thine heart, dwell upon thy tongue, drop like the honeycomb in unceasingly blessing God in Christ; and, until thou join the hallelujahs of heaven, sing of Jesus both in mercy and judgment; and to Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, let thy voice be raised. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 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.
Ver. 8. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land ] All, without partiality, and betimes, in matutinis, without delay, making it my morning’s work to do justice; for then was judgment executed, Jer 21:12 . Or, I will do it daily, and as duly as the house is swept. See Lam 3:23 , Indesinenter regnum, regiam Ecclesiamque purgabo a male (Trem.).
That I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of God
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
early = morning by morning: i.e. the judgments of a day dealt with within the day. No prisons needed. Land kept clean.
wicked. Hebrew. rasha’. App-44.
wicked doers = workers of iniquity. Heb, ‘aven. App-44.
the city of the LORD: i.e. Zion. See App-68.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
early: Psa 75:10, Pro 16:12, Pro 20:8, Pro 20:26, Jer 21:12, Mic 3:1-4, Mic 3:9
cut off: Psa 48:2, Psa 48:8, Hos 9:3, Mic 2:8-10, Rev 21:27, Rev 22:14, Rev 22:15
Reciprocal: Exo 36:3 – every morning Lev 14:40 – take away 2Sa 3:39 – I am 2Sa 13:21 – he was very wroth 1Ki 2:33 – return upon Neh 13:28 – I chased Psa 45:7 – hatest Psa 104:35 – sinners Pro 25:5 – away Luk 13:27 – depart
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 101:8. I will early destroy all the wicked That is, all that are discovered and convicted; the law shall have its course against them; and incorrigible offenders shall suffer as it directs. That I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord I will use my utmost diligence to reform the whole nation; but especially the place of my peculiar residence, which ought to be an example to the rest of my kingdom: taking care that all offenders be severely punished in the courts of justice; and, if there be no other remedy, cutting off those evil members, who have got an incurable habit of acting wickedly. So Bishop Patrick. Dr. Chandler considers this last clause as an evident proof that David was now king over all Israel, and in possession of Jerusalem, styled by him the city of the Lord, because it was now the place where the Lord was peculiarly present, David having lodged the ark in the tabernacle prepared there for its reception. It is justly observed by the same judicious divine, that this Psalm affords an admirable lesson for princes, to direct themselves in the administration of their affairs in public and private life. They should be the patrons of religion and virtue, and encourage them by their own example and practice. Those of their households, their servants, ministers, and particularly their favourites and friends, should be of unblameable characters, and, if possible, eminent for every thing that is excellent and praiseworthy. Subtle and fraudulent men, back-biters, and slanderers, and private informers against others, they should detest, and show the utmost marks of displeasure at them. They should maintain the honour of the laws, and impartially punish all transgressors against them; and, instead of indulging ease, and being engrossed and dissipated by pleasure and amusement, they should consecrate a just portion of their time to the public service, and promoting the real happiness of their people. Thus they will be indeed truly patriot kings, honoured of God and esteemed and beloved of men.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
101:8 {f} I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
(f) Magistrates must immediately punish vice, lest it grow to further inconvenience; and if heathen magistrates are bound to do this, how much more they who have the charge of the Church of God?