Psalms 101:1

“I will sing of mercy and judgment, etc.] Either of mercy and justice, exercised by him towards his people, which he resolved to do, and did, (<100815>2 Samuel 8:15) which are two very principal points in government, are the glory of a reign, the support of the throne, and the happiness of a people, (<202028>Proverbs 20:28), or rather of the mercy of God to himself, in delivering him from his enemies, and raising him to the throne; and of the judgment of God in maintaining his cause, and avenging him on those that hated him: every good man has reason to sing of the “mercy” of God; not only of his providential mercy, but of his special mercy, prepared in council and covenant for him, displayed…”

“A Prayer of the afflicted, &c.--The general terms seem to denote the propriety of regarding the Psalm as suitably expressive of the anxieties of any one of David's descendants, piously concerned for the welfare of the Church. It was probably David's composition, and, though specially suggested by some peculiar trials, descriptive of future times. Overwhelmed--(compare Psa 61:2). Poureth out--pouring out the soul-- (Psa 62:8). Complaint-- (Psa 55:2). The tone of complaint predominates, though in view of God's promises and abiding faithfulness, it is sometimes exchanged for that of confidence and hope. (Psa. 102:1-28) The terms used occur in Psa 4:1; Psa 17:1, Psa 17:6; Psa 18:6; Psa 31:2, Psa…”

“I will sing of mercy and judgment - That is, In the psalm which he was about to compose, he would make these the burden of his song; he would, in fact, by stating his views as to the regulation of his own conduct, commend these virtues - mercy and justice - to mankind, and celebrate their value. He who himself “adopts” the principles of mercy, kindness, truth, and justice, as his own guide, commends these virtues to mankind in the best way possible. No language can do it effectually, unless a man practices these virtues himself. Unto thee, O Lord, will I sing - As commending and approving these things; as having put it into my heart to practice them; as displaying them in thine own higher…”

“I will sing - I will praise thee, O Lord, for thy mercy and justice, which thou hast so eminently discovered in the government of the world, and of thy people; and I will make it my care to imitate thee herein. Psalms 101:2”

“Ps 101 This hymn expresses a commitment to live with integrity and to avoid evil. Jesus meets this ideal.”

“I will sing: Psa 89:1, Psa 97:8, Psa 103:6-8, Psa 136:10-22; Rom 9:15-18, Rom 9:22, Rom 9:23, Rom 11:22; Rev 15:3, Rev 15:4; Rev 19:1-3 unto thee: Psa 71:22, Psa 71:23 Psalms 101:2”

“This is the "prince's Psalm," (Note: Eyring, in his Vita of Ernest the Pious Duke of Saxe-Gotha, v. 1601, d. 1675, relates that he sent an unfaithful minister a copy of the 101st Psalm, and that it became a proverb in the country, when an official had done anything wrong: He will certainty soon receive the prince's Psalm to read.) or as it is inscribed in Luther's version, "David's mirror of a monarch." Can there be any more appropriate motto for it than what is said of Jahve's government in Psa 99:4? In respect of this passage of Psa 99:1-9, to which Psa 100:1-5 is the finale, Psa 101:1-8 seems to be appended as an echo out of the heart of David. The appropriateness of the words לדוד מזמור…”