Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Psalms Ch.101 / 150 Ch.s
PS:101
* David's vow and profession of godliness.
- In this psalm we have David declaring how he intended to
regulate his household, and to govern his kingdom, that he might
stop wickedness, and encourage godliness. It is also applicable
to private families, and is the householder's psalm. It teaches
all that have any power, whether more or less, to use it so as
to be a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well.
The chosen subject of the psalm is God's mercy and judgment. The
Lord's providences concerning his people are commonly mixed;
mercy and judgment. God has set the one over against the other,
both to do good, like showers and sunshine. When, in his
providence, he exercises us with the mixture of mercy and
judgment, we must make suitable acknowledgments to him for both.
Family mercies and family afflictions are both calls to family
religion. Those who are in public stations are not thereby
excused from care in governing their families; they are the more
concerned to set a good example of ruling their own houses well.
Whenever a man has a house of his own, let him seek to have God
to dwell with him; and those may expect his presence, who walk
with a perfect heart, in a perfect way. David resolves to
practise no evil himself. He further resolves not to keep bad
servants, nor to employ those about him that are wicked. He will
not admit them into his family, lest they spread the infection
of sin. A froward heart, one that delights to be cross and
perverse, is not fit for society, the bond of which is Christian
love. Nor will he countenance slanderers, those who take
pleasure in wounding their neighbour's reputation. Also, God
resists the proud, and false, deceitful people, who scruple not
to tell lies, or commit frauds. Let every one be zealous and
diligent to reform his own heart and ways, and to do this early;
ever mindful of that future, most awful morning, when the King
of righteousness shall cut off all wicked doers from the
heavenly Jerusalem.