This is a psalm where the author (probably David) claims that he will live a daily life that is in harmony with the praises he sings to God in worship!  The longer I live, the more incidents I can recount of people who have an appearance of religion (true or otherwise), but who negate that appearance in daily life.  The eight verses that come before us in this poem should jolt some people to repentance and should remind the rest of us that true worship is often made vain during the week.

Verse one is a vow to sing of mercy and judgment.  It serves as an introduction.  Verses two through eight are vows to be faithful in daily life.  Let us read the psalm with careful self-examination.

First, let us note the vow of verse one—he commits himself to sing of mercy and judgment (KJV).  But is this the mercy and judgment of God or of man?  Kirkpatrick has this to say, “Lovingkindness and judgment are characteristics of the Divine rule (89:14), which are to be reflected in the true human ruler (Isaiah 16:5).  They are the fundamental principles of right life and conduct, the bond of fellowship between man and God (Hosea 2:19), and between man and his fellowman (Hosea 12:6; Micah 6:8; Matthew 22:23).  If in these opening words the Psalmist is referring to the divine attributes which are the archetype and model for human conduct, he passes on at once to speak of their imitation and embodiment in his own life and the life of his courtiers” (p. 591).

When we sing to the Lord today (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), we include statements regarding the way we intend to live during the week—including the commitment to treat other people the way we should.  This type of “vow” is one of the most commonly broken ones of all...

Second let us note the switching between the positive (“I will”; v.2; v.6) and the negative (“I will not”; vv.3-5; vv.7,8) in the remainder of Psalm 101.

In verse two, David states a positive and personal commitment.  He would walk wisely in a perfect way!  We might ask, “By what standard?”  Paul affirms that the Bible is the standard (2 Timothy 3:16,17).  I think that this second verse is potentially one of the most helpful in the entire Bible.  The poet not only recognizes that God is aware of his condition, he also recognizes that he ought to live a certain way in the presence of his own family!  David was very good at this for much of his life, but when he failed, he failed as miserably as a man could.  His sins included lust, adultery, deception, murder, and a terrible example for his own children.  And he paid for it until he died.

In verses three through five, David speaks negatively.  On a personal level, he intended to refrain from all sorts of temptations and sins.  Notice carefully the things and people he knows to be across the line of right and wrong.  In verse three, he knows that he should not allow anything wicked before his eyes and he should hate crooked works.  This would keep them from “getting hold of him.”  In verse four, he will not have a perverse heart and will not associate with evil (or evil people).  In verse five, he commits himself to vigorously work against the slanderer and the haughty.  The slanderer is “the malicious man, making use of his tongue in a most hurtful manner” (Psalms, Vol. II, p.174, Bill Jackson, ed.).  The haughty man is one who is “bent on pursuit of his evil purposes with no care for God nor man” (ibid).  These men must be “cut off” and not tolerated!

In verse six, David speaks positively again.  Here, he speaks of others who are faithful.  Often those who are in leadership positions fail to realize how much help they need from others.  Only God knows how many of His faithful men have fallen because they got so caught up in “helping” others that they became unwilling to see their own weaknesses and failures.  At this point in his life, David knew that he needed to look upon others who were faithful—for this would be helpful to him.  Those who walked “in a perfect way” would be able to serve him!

In verses seven and eight, David returns to the negative side for his final point.  If this psalm was written before his sons began to sin so often, it serves as a sad reminder that words are not enough to guarantee faithfulness.  Sin was in David’s house—including deceit—and it led to great sadness for him and the nation.  But those who choose to do those things should never be allowed to discourage the faithful from keeping up the fight for the right!  So, in verse eight, he announces his commitment to uphold that which is right all through the land.

The standards given in this song were good things for a king to follow, and when David did follow them, he found happiness and spiritual success. But they are also good standards for us to follow today.  I recommend that you take note of the words of many of the songs we sing today, and see the connection between our words in worship and the things we ought to practice every day.
 
 

SICK LIST:  Katrece Howard was ill while they were traveling over the holiday; she is still not feeling well.  Myrtle Button, a former member at Duluth, is hospitalized in Nebraska.  Mary Jones had a reaction to a new medication; she is home and doing well.  Let’s remember those who are ill and their families in our prayers.

PLANTATION SOUTH:  Group 2 is in charge of services today at 1:30.  Rod Rutherford will be speaking this quarter.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL:  Our VBS begins Sunday evening (6:00-7:30) and goes through Wednesday evening (7:30-9:00).  The theme is, “We Believe Because…Where There Is Design, There Must Be a Designer.”  If you would like to help with cookies, please sign the sheet on the bulletin board in the foyer.  

FOR THE RECORD:  
Sunday Class              122
Sunday AM Worship   148
Sunday PM Worship   102
Wednesday Class       125
Contribution            $4642

BRIDAL SHOWER:  All the ladies are invited to a shower for Melissa Eades, Saturday, July 13, at noon.  Please bring your favorite salad as we celebrate this special time for Melissa and Mark.

ELDERS’ MEETING:  The elders will meet at 4:00 this Sunday afternoon.  If you would like to discuss anything with them, please contact Skip Andrews for an appointment.

TEACHERS’ TRAINING:  Sessions for reviewing the material for the fall quarter (Old Testament Geography) will begin Wednesday evening, July 24.  The ladies will meet downstairs in the multi-purpose building.