The Meaning of Psalms 101:3 Explained

Psalms 101:3

KJV: I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

YLT: I set not before mine eyes a worthless thing, The work of those turning aside I have hated, It adhereth not to me.

Darby: I will set no thing of Belial before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

ASV: I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; It shall not cleave unto me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I will set  no wicked  thing  before mine eyes:  I hate  the work  of them that turn aside;  [it] shall not cleave  to me. 

What does Psalms 101:3 Mean?

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 101:3 mean?

Nothing I will set before my eyes thing wicked the work of those who fall away I hate not it shall cling to me
לֹֽא־ אָשִׁ֨ית ׀ לְנֶ֥גֶד עֵינַ֗י דְּֽבַר־ בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל עֲשֹֽׂה־ סֵטִ֥ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי לֹ֖א יִדְבַּ֣ק בִּֽי

לֹֽא־  Nothing 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אָשִׁ֨ית ׀  I  will  set 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: שִׁית  
Sense: to put, set.
לְנֶ֥גֶד  before 
Parse: Preposition-l
Root: נֶגֶד  
Sense: what is conspicuous, what is in front of adv.
עֵינַ֗י  my  eyes 
Parse: Noun, cdc, first person common singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
דְּֽבַר־  thing 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל  wicked 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בְּלִיַּעַל  
Sense: worthlessness.
עֲשֹֽׂה־  the  work 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
סֵטִ֥ים  of  those  who  fall  away 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: סֵט 
Sense: to swerve, fall away.
שָׂנֵ֑אתִי  I  hate 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: שָׂנֵא  
Sense: to hate, be hateful.
יִדְבַּ֣ק  it  shall  cling 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: דָּבַק  
Sense: to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch.
בִּֽי  to  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular