David's subject in this Psalm is the ordering and hallowing of family life by bringing it under the influences and sanctions of religion.
I. That which strikes us first of all in this Psalm is that the qualifications for continuing in the household of David are to be moral qualifications. That which shall disqualify men from living with him is not want of ability or want of distinction, but want of loyalty to goodness and to God.
II. The qualifications for membership in David's house are chiefly negative. He is more careful to say who shall not than who shall enjoy the privilege. David hopes that with the coming of the sacred ark to Jerusalem in other words, that with a nearer contact with the presence of God he will be able to effect a great change. If people are not to be expelled, they must be improved; they must be converted. The restored sense of a sacred presence among them, the active works of the ministers and the sanctuary, the pervading atmosphere of worship and praise these things would in time make the reformation which David had at heart easy and natural.
III. In Christendom the family is a different and a more beautiful thing than it was in David's time. Each father of a family can, by God's help, say, with David, that he will walk in his house with a perfect heart. To every head of a household has been committed a great power of influencing those about him for good. Influence them in some way he certainly will: if not for good, then for evil.
Two lessons would seem to be suggested by this Psalm of King David. (1) Observe the order and method of David's proceeding. He began by improving himself. (2) The improvement of the family can only be procured by religious, as distinct from merely moral, influences.
H. P. Liddon, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvii., p. 241.
References: Psalms 101:2. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxi., No. 1230. Psalms 101:6. J. Irons, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. xvi., p. 401.Psalms 101 J. Keble, Sermons from Easter to Ascension Day,p. 323.Psalms 102:13; Psalms 102:14. Spurgeon, Evening by Evening,p. 199. Psalms 102:15. G. S. Barrett, Old Testament Outlines,p. 132.Psalms 102:17. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xix., No. 1141.Psalms 102:18. Bishop Alexander, Bampton Lectures,1876, p. 105.