What does Psalm 101:4 mean?
ESV: A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.
NIV: The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.
NASB: A perverse heart shall leave me; I will know no evil.
CSB: A devious heart will be far from me; I will not be involved with evil.
NLT: I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
KJV: A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
NKJV: A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 101:3–8 is a promise from David about how he will rule as a godly king. This includes rooting out corruption, evil, lies and deception. David will only take advice and service from the righteous. This approach will begin in his own home and extend to the entire nation. David intends to pursue this plan of godliness every day.
Chapter Summary:
David praises the Lord for loyal love and just rule. What follows is David's promise to rule Israel with justice, integrity, and righteousness. This begins in David's own home and extends to the nation. David will keep himself from all evil, including in his counselors. He will work to drive all corruption, evil, arrogance, and ungodliness from the land. This will be a daily effort.
Chapter Context:
This psalm is reflective of King David's attitude when he first took the throne of Israel. The song is a series of promises about how he intends to lead the nation. Though he started well, he broke some of these promises. David's choices were usually godly, but he also fell into sin, with devastating consequences (2 Samuel 11:3–4, 14–15; 12:1–15; 1 Chronicles 21). The intent he expresses here, and the heart he would show in future repentance (Psalm 51), is to consistently root out evil. He hopes to experience blessings from the Lord as a result (Exodus 20:24).
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
Accessed 11/21/2024 8:22:01 PM
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