PSALM 101 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed by David between times of God's promising the kingdom to him and his actual and plenary possession of it, as appears both from Psalms 101:2, and from the contexture of the Psalm, wherein he speaks not of his present practice, but of his purpose for the future, and solemnly declares his resolution, and obligeth himself to these things when he shall be in a capacity to put them in execution. David maketh a vow to praise the Lord, Psalms 101:1; to walk perfectly for an example, Psalms 101:2 to destroy all the wicked, Psalms 101:3-5; and to delight in the faithful of the land, Psalms 101:6-8. Of mercy and judgment; either,
1. Of God towards me: of God's mercy towards me, and of his just judgments upon mine enemies. Or,
2. Of mine towards my people; I will in my song declare my obligation and full purpose to execute mercy and judgment in my dominion; which are the two pillars of government; of which he speaks in the, following verses. Interpreters are much divided which to choose. Possibly both may be joined together, and the sense may be this, I will praise thee, O Lord, as for all other excellencies, so particularly for those two royal perfections of mercy and justice, or judgment, which thou hast so eminently discovered in the government of the world and of thy people Israel; and I will make it my care and business to imitate and follow thee, as in other things, so especially in those virtues which are so necessary for discharge of my trust and the good government of thy and my people.