I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.
Ver. 3. I will set no wicked thing (Heb. thing of Belial) before mine eyes] That is, in my thoughts, saith Kimchi; for the thinking faculty is in the forepart of the brain, as are also the eyes. I will not gaze upon forbidden objects, nor venture upon a temptation to or an occasion of sin. I will also be wise and wary in the choice of my servants and under officers. Theodosius's court was virtutum officina, non vitiorum sentina, saith Pareus. And Archbishop Cranmer's house was schola vel palaestra pietatis et literarum, saith Tremellius. See above on the title of this psalm.
I hate the work of them that turn aside] Of treacherous men and apostates; such as Constantius Chlorus, the father of Constantine the Great found (by proof made) some of his counsellors and courtiers to be, and therefore turned them off, saying, He cannot be faithful to me who is unfaithful to God; Pietate sublata fides tollitur (Euseb.).
It shall not cleave to me] I will none of them, neither shall any such wickedness hang at my heels, to hinder my progress in piety and good government.