Psalm 101 1

Psalm 101:1 kjv

I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

Psalm 101:1 nkjv

A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

Psalm 101:1 niv

Of David. A psalm. I will sing of your love and justice; to you, LORD, I will sing praise.

Psalm 101:1 esv

I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music.

Psalm 101:1 nlt

I will sing of your love and justice, LORD.
I will praise you with songs.

Psalm 101 verses

Psalm 101 1 Meaning

The psalmist declares a steadfast commitment to worship God, specifically praising His foundational attributes of unwavering faithfulness (steadfast love, chesed) and righteous governance (justice, mishpat). This opening verse expresses a deeply personal vow to laud the Lord, recognizing these divine characteristics as the basis for all creation and a righteous kingdom. It sets the tone for the psalm, which then outlines how these divine attributes are to be emulated and upheld in the psalmist's (likely a king's) personal conduct and leadership.

Psalm 101 1 Context

Psalm 101 is commonly referred to as a "Royal Psalm" or a "Mirror for Magistrates," outlining the ideal conduct of a righteous king, traditionally ascribed to King David. It is a deeply personal pledge by a monarch to uphold justice, integrity, and righteousness within his household and realm, reflecting God's own character. Verse 1 serves as the foundational declaration for the entire psalm. The verses that follow elaborate on the psalmist's commitment to personal blamelessness (vv. 2-3), refusal of wickedness (vv. 4-5), and a vow to only allow the faithful and upright into his service, driving out the deceitful (vv. 6-7). Finally, it speaks of rooting out wickedness from the land (v. 8). Historically, David's kingship was meant to embody God's rule on earth, making his personal and administrative ethics crucial for the nation's well-being. This psalm therefore sets forth the divine blueprint for governance, contrasting with the oppressive and often corrupt rule seen in contemporary pagan nations.

Psalm 101 1 Word analysis

• I will sing (אָשִׁירָה, ashirah): The verb is in the Qal imperfect, first person common singular, signifying a definite, resolute, and ongoing commitment. From the root shir, meaning "to sing, to praise." It implies an internal resolve becoming an external act of worship and proclamation. This is not a passive reception but an active, heartfelt declaration.
• of steadfast love (חֶסֶד, chesed): This is one of the most significant theological terms in the Hebrew Bible. It encompasses covenant loyalty, unfailing love, mercy, kindness, and faithful affection. It denotes an active, devoted love that goes beyond obligation, always seeking the well-being of the beloved. When applied to God, it highlights His consistent faithfulness to His covenant promises and His people. It is not mere sentiment but active goodness.
• and justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word refers to judgment, justice, righteous ruling, and the divine moral order. It signifies setting things right, maintaining fairness, and executing judgment in accordance with God's perfect standard. It’s not only about punitive action but about establishing equity, upholding the rights of the vulnerable, and maintaining societal righteousness.
• to you, O Lord (לְךָ יהוה, Lekha YHWH): "To you" (Lekha) is a direct, emphatic address, clearly stating the exclusive recipient of this praise and vow. "Lord" (יהוה, YHWH, typically rendered Adonai or Lord) is the sacred covenant name of God, revealing Him as the sovereign, self-existent, faithful God who is in a relationship with His people. This grounds the entire psalm in the divine character and covenant.
• I will make music (אֲזַמְּרָה, azammerah): This is also in the Piel imperfect, first person common singular, from the root zamar, meaning "to pluck (strings), make music, sing praise." Paired with "sing," it creates a poetic parallelism that reinforces the psalmist's deep-seated intent to offer musical worship and praise. While "sing" often implies vocal expression, "make music" suggests a broader celebratory and artistic act of devotion, possibly including instrumental accompaniment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I will sing of steadfast love and justice": This phrase establishes the foundational focus of the psalm – God's dual attributes. The psalmist chooses to actively worship and proclaim both divine chesed and mishpat. This pairing is crucial: God’s justice is not harsh and unfeeling but is always expressed through the lens of His faithful love, and His love does not negate His righteousness or allow for sin. They are harmonious and integrated aspects of His character, forming the basis for a stable and righteous universe and kingdom.
• "to you, O Lord, I will make music": The direct address emphasizes the deeply personal and devoted nature of this pledge. It underlines that this commitment to praise and governance flows from a relationship with the one true God, the ultimate source of these attributes. The doubling of "I will sing" and "I will make music" acts as a strong literary device, highlighting the psalmist's unreserved and heartfelt determination to dedicate his life and reign to expressing gratitude and loyalty to God. It indicates not only singing about these qualities but also singing to the God who embodies them.

Psalm 101 1 Bonus section

The chiastic structure often found in Hebrew poetry is subtle here, with the verbs "sing" and "make music" bookending the core subject "steadfast love and justice" to "O Lord." This reinforces the profound connection between the act of worship and the divine attributes being lauded.This verse implicitly teaches that human understanding of love and justice must align with God's. Human conceptions often separate them, valuing love without justice (lenience toward wrongdoing) or justice without love (harsh legalism). God perfectly embodies both, offering a divine standard for His creation. The psalm, spoken by a king, also holds a Messianic layer, hinting at the perfect rule of the coming King who would flawlessly execute God's chesed and mishpat (cf. Isa 9:7; Jer 23:5). Christ Jesus fully manifested both steadfast love (His grace and mercy) and justice (His righteous life and judgment upon sin). Thus, the initial declaration of this Psalm sets the theological and ethical stage for God's redemptive plan throughout history.

Psalm 101 1 Commentary

Psalm 101:1 serves as a royal anthem and a personal manifesto. It encapsulates the core character of God—His steadfast love (chesed) and His justice (mishpat)—and declares the psalmist's resolute intention to praise and reflect these divine qualities. This is not a mere statement of fact, but an active vow, demonstrating that true leadership, whether in a nation or a household, must be rooted in an understanding and emulation of God's character. The pairing of "steadfast love" and "justice" is central, signifying that God’s righteousness is tempered by mercy, and His mercy is not devoid of moral standard. A righteous ruler, following God's example, must likewise govern with both compassion and equitable judgment, establishing societal order while caring for the vulnerable. This opening commitment lays the groundwork for the ethical framework elaborated throughout the rest of the psalm, guiding not just kings but all believers in living a life that honors God and blesses others. For example, for an individual, this means living with integrity and showing kindness, but also upholding truth and fair dealing; in a family, it means nurturing love while also maintaining just discipline.