The Meaning of Psalms 101:1 Explained

Psalms 101:1

KJV: {A Psalm of David.} I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

YLT: A Psalm of David. Kindness and judgment I sing, To Thee, O Jehovah, I sing praise.

Darby: {A Psalm of David.} I will sing of loving-kindness and judgment: unto thee, Jehovah, will I sing psalms.

ASV: I will sing of lovingkindness and justice: Unto thee, O Jehovah, will I sing praises.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{A Psalm  of David.  }} I will sing  of mercy  and judgment:  unto thee, O LORD,  will I sing. 

What does Psalms 101:1 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The psalmist focused his praise on God"s loyal love and justice. These qualities are foundational to His rule (cf. Psalm 89:14). David proceeded to request that his own rule would have a similarly strong base.

Context Summary

Psalms 101:1-8 - My Righteous Purpose
This psalm, as the title indicates, was composed by David, probably at the commencement of his reign. It contains a number of resolutions upon which he was prepared to act. First, he made up his mind that he would give heed to the perfect way, and would walk in his house in the integrity of his heart, Psalms 101:2, r.v., margin. Next, he made up his mind to choose his friends with rigorous care, that froward hearts and evil persons should depart from him; that he would not enter into close relations with those that slandered their neighbors, or that gave evidence by their high looks of proud hearts. Deceit and falsehood were alike to be banished from his palace; while faithful souls, who also walked in "the perfect way," should minister to him. Finally, he made up his mind to carry out his rule in the public state, that the wicked might be put out of the way and the righteous exalted.
It was an excellent program, and happy would he have been if, throughout his life, he had rigorously adhered to it. It is not possible for us to exercise David's absolute power in the selection of our environment. It is often necessary for us to work in places of business among those whom we would not choose as associates. But we can, at least, forbear making any of these our intimates, or the friends with whom we spend our leisure and recreational hours, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 101

1  David makes a vow and profession of godliness

What do the individual words in Psalms 101:1 mean?

Of David A Psalm of mercy and justice I will sing to You Yahweh I will sing praises
לְדָוִ֗ד מִ֫זְמ֥וֹר חֶֽסֶד־ וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט אָשִׁ֑ירָה לְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֲזַמֵּֽרָה

לְדָוִ֗ד  Of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
מִ֫זְמ֥וֹר  A  Psalm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְמֹור  
Sense: melody, psalm.
חֶֽסֶד־  of  mercy 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט  and  justice 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁפָּט  
Sense: judgment, justice, ordinance.
אָשִׁ֑ירָה  I  will  sing 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: שִׁיר  
Sense: to sing.
לְךָ֖  to  You 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
יְהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֲזַמֵּֽרָה  I  will  sing  praises 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: זָמַר  
Sense: to sing, sing praise, make music.