1.
I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
2.
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
2. He avows his sincere purpose,
by God's aid, to act uprightly (Genesis 17:1;
Psalms 18:30).
3.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
3. set . . . eyes—as an
example to be approved and followed.
no wicked thing—literally,
"word," plan or purpose of Belial ().
work of . . .
aside—apostates.
not cleave to me—I will
not be implicated in it (compare ).
4.
A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
4. A froward heart—or,
"perverse heart" (). Such a temper I will not indulge, nor even know evil or
wickedness.
5.
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
5, 6. The slanderers and haughty
persons, so mischievous in society, I will disown; but—
6.
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
6. Mine eyes . . . upon—or, I
will select reliable and honest men for my servants.
7.
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
7. not dwell—literally, "not
sit," or tarry, or be established.
8.
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
8. will early—or,
"diligently."
city of the Lord—or,
"holy place" (Psalms 48:2),
where wicked men shall not be tolerated.