David maketh a vow and profession of godliness.
0A Psalm of David.
1I WILL sing of 1mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
1 To exercise mercy to the godly and to punish the wicked are two articles which become a good king well, to which David engages here himself and promises to exercise them when he would be established in his kingdom. Others, understand these words thus; I will sing of kindness, namely, of the grace and favor which the Lord has shown and performed to me; and of right, namely which God has manifested in the punishment of my persecutor Saul.
2I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O 2when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk 3within my house with a perfect heart.
2 Namely, to put me in possession of the kingdom which Thou hast promised me. See 1 Sam. 13:14. Other, when thou shalt have come to me, that is, have settled me, etc.
3 That is, in the government and administration of my court and servants there.
3I will set no 4wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them 5that turn aside; 6it shall not cleave to me.
4 Or, word, or, matter of Belial. See Deut. 13:13.
5 That is, those who willfully turn aside from the right path.
6 Namely, the said practice of those who revolted.
47A froward heart shall depart from me: I 8will not know 9a wicked person.
7 That is, him, who is of a perverse heart or mind, I shall banish away from me, or turn him out of service.
8 That is, I will not esteem nor cherish, as Psalm 1:6, I will not accept, namely, into my service.
9 Namely, man, or person.
5Whoso privily 10slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a 11proud heart will not I suffer.
10 Hebr. tongue wagger, that is, hurts with his tongue, which is the backbiter’s peculiar practice. In Psalm 140:11 we read of an evil speaker, that is, backbiter.
11 Hebr. broad or large of heart, that is, stout and presumptuous, proud and spiteful, as Prov. 21:4.
6Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell 12with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, 13he shall serve me.
12 Namely, when I shall sit in judgment, or in counsel, for debating weighty affairs. Other, that they sit by me.
13 That is, I shall put him in positions and offices, with me in court as well as in other cities and places.
7He that worketh deceit shall not dwell 14within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
14 Hebr. in the midst of my house. Understand hereby: but I will turn or keep him out of my house.
8I will 15early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
15 Hebr. in the morning, as Psalm 73:14. That is, every morning. The sense of these words is: that he would, daily or immediately, namely, as soon as ever he would be settled in the kingdom, endeavor to suppress all wickedness. Or, early, that is, in the court of judgment which usually was kept in the morning. See 2 Sam. 15:2; Jer. 21:12, etc.