Psalm 101
The Righteous Principles of the Kingdom
The Righteous Principles of the Kingdom
Psalm 101. This Psalm of David describes the principles that will characterize the Millennial kingdom when Christ reigns in Zion. The chief characteristic brought out in Psalm 101 is that of righteous judgment. Historically this would have been a prayer that David prayed at the beginning of his reign, almost a pledge to the Lord concerning how he would rule as the Lord’s anointed. David of course fell short of this, but it is prophetic of Christ in His kingdom! We might call this the inaugural address of the Messiah!
PSALM 101
A Psalm of David.
1 I will sing of loving-kindness and judgment: unto thee, Jehovah, will I sing psalms.
v.1 Loving-kindness and Judgment. There are two great themes of the kingdom: “loving-kindness and judgment”. These will be the themes of Israel’s praise in the Millennium; grace to Jehovah’s people and judgment on evildoers! However, Psalm 101 deals primarily with judgment.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. When wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.
3 I will set no thing of Belial before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know evil.
vv.2-4 Personal Integrity of Messiah. First, we have the personal integrity of Christ. He will be wise and perfect, and walk within His own house with perfect moral integrity. How far short every other ruler has fallen from this standard! Messiah’s separation from evil is unfolded in vv.3-4. He will not look at evil, but rather hate it, and remain separate from it.
5 Whoso secretly slandereth his neighbour, him will I destroy; him that hath a high look and a proud heart will I not 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 practiseth deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that speaketh falsehoods shall not subsist in my sight.
8 Every morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land: to cut off all workers of iniquity from the city of Jehovah.
vv.5-8 Righteous Judgment of Messiah. Next, the righteous character of Messiah flows forth to characterize His kingdom. The ongoing judgments in the Millennium will fall on those who practice evil, even in secret (v.5). But this is only the negative or punitive aspect of Christ’s righteous rule. Christ will bless “the faithful of the land”, and their reward will be to dwell with Him and serve Him. What a blessed place! The Lord’s holiness will have an effect on the kingdom; “He that practiseth deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that speaketh falsehoods shall not subsist in my sight”. The judgment in the Millennium will be carried out “every morning” (v.8). The focus of the judgment in Psalm 101 is the wicked “of the land” and in “the city of Jehovah”, but in other scriptures we find that this judgment will go forth “over the face of the whole earth” (Zech. 5:1-4). Peace is impossible without righteousness (Isa. 32:17), and righteousness is impossible without judgment (Isa. 26:9). These judgments are necessary for the display of Christ’s glory on earth, and for the blessing of mankind in the Millennium.