Psalm 101 3

Psalm 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.

Psalm 101:3 nkjv

I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.

Psalm 101:3 niv

I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.

Psalm 101:3 esv

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Psalm 101:3 nlt

I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.

Psalm 101 verses

Psalm 101 3 Meaning

Psalm 101:3 is a profound declaration of personal and governmental commitment to absolute righteousness and moral purity. The psalmist, likely King David, vows to actively reject any form of evil, to abhor the actions of those who deviate from God's path, and to ensure that such wickedness will never take root or become a part of his life or his administration. It is a resolve to maintain integrity and to establish a household and kingdom founded on godly principles, starting with internal moral discipline.

Psalm 101 3 Context

Psalm 101 is a royal psalm, attributed to King David, detailing his commitment to righteous living and governance. It serves as a covenant or a king's solemn vow on how he intends to lead his life and his kingdom. Verse 3 flows directly from David's initial declaration in verse 1 and 2 to sing of justice and steadfast love and to walk in the way of blamelessness with integrity. The entire psalm paints a picture of an ideal monarch—or any leader, or indeed any believer—who seeks to please God and serve his people through personal integrity and sound moral judgment, especially in their public and private lives. Historically, David lived in a time when kings often indulged in moral compromise and arbitrary power; his resolve here presents a contrasting ideal rooted in Mosaic law and divine wisdom. This commitment includes maintaining a pure court and a righteous household, which are essential for stable and godly leadership.

Psalm 101 3 Word analysis

• I will set: Expresses a firm, deliberate intention and resolution. It signifies a conscious, proactive choice and discipline. This is not passive avoidance but an active policy.

• no wicked thing: Original Hebrew: בְּלִיַּעַל (beliyya'al). This term literally means "worthlessness," "unprofitableness," "wickedness," or "scoundrel." It often refers to corrupt deeds, mischievous acts, or even people of low moral character. Here, it denotes anything that is morally base, depraved, or contrary to God's will, encompassing idolatry, injustice, cruelty, or perversion. The resolve is to tolerate nothing of such nature.

• before my eyes: Original Hebrew: עֵינַי (eina'y). While literally referring to physical sight, this phrase extends metaphorically to mean: to be made present, to be acknowledged, to be contemplated, to be entertained, or even to be permitted in one's presence or sphere of influence. It highlights the psalmist's control over his own perception and what he allows to influence his inner world and immediate environment. It speaks of the purity of one's intake, be it visual, auditory, or mental.

• I hate: Original Hebrew: שָׂנֵא (sane') . This is a strong word denoting intense abhorrence, loathing, or enmity. It's not a mere dislike but a profound moral opposition. This passionate rejection of evil mirrors God's own character and sets the psalmist apart from those who might condone or participate in such acts.

• the work: Original Hebrew: פֹעַל (po'al). Refers to deeds, actions, practices, or ways of life. The focus is on the active manifestations of evil, not just abstract concepts. The psalmist hates the actual results and practices that spring from evil intent.

• of those who fall away: Original Hebrew: סָטִים (satim), derived from the root סָטָה (satah), meaning "to turn aside, to deviate, to go astray." These are individuals who stray from God's commands, who are morally perverse, apostates, or rebellious against divine law. The king commits to having no affinity for or patience with the practices of those who forsake the path of righteousness.

• it shall not cling to me: Original Hebrew: לֹא יִדְבַּק בִּי (lo yidbaq bi). The verb דָבַק (dabaq) means "to cleave, stick, hold fast, join, adhere closely." This powerful declaration signifies that evil, in its various forms (represented by "wicked thing" and "the work of those who fall away"), will not adhere to, associate with, infect, or have any lasting influence or presence in the psalmist's personal character, his household, or his reign. It underscores a firm determination for moral separation and immunity from corruption.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "I will set no wicked thing before my eyes": This phrase emphasizes the deliberate and proactive guarding of one's inward and outward perception. It speaks to maintaining spiritual and moral purity by consciously rejecting anything that could defile or tempt, highlighting a commitment to moral integrity from within and in one's immediate surroundings.
  • "I hate the work of those who fall away": This reveals a deep-seated moral abhorrence, an intense personal repugnance, for practices that deviate from divine standards. It's not just a rejection of actions, but a strong ethical stand against the way of life characteristic of those who abandon God's path.
  • "it shall not cling to me": This declares a robust spiritual and moral immunity. It signifies a refusal for evil to attach itself, influence, or integrate into the psalmist's character, decisions, or the governance he undertakes, asserting his resolve to remain undefiled by corruption.

Psalm 101 3 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a crucial aspect of what it means to live in the fear of the LORD—a personal discipline to proactively discern and reject that which is morally corrupting. David, having experienced significant moral failures himself (e.g., Bathsheba, where his "eyes" indeed saw a "wicked thing" leading to profound consequences), may be articulating this resolution with particular poignancy, aiming to prevent a recurrence of such errors in judgment and conduct. The strong terms used highlight the intense moral warfare a godly person must engage in to maintain purity in an often corrupt world. The "work of those who fall away" includes any deviation from God's established paths of truth and righteousness, from outright idolatry and rebellion to subtle forms of compromise and deceit. The resolution to "hate" these actions demonstrates a conviction rooted in God's own hatred of sin, echoing prophetic calls for justice and righteousness within the covenant community.

Psalm 101 3 Commentary

Psalm 101:3 offers a clear and unwavering commitment to moral purity, both personally and institutionally. King David's declaration to "set no wicked thing before my eyes" signifies a proactive vigilance against allowing corrupting influences to enter his inner world or his immediate environment. This principle extends beyond physical sight to intellectual and spiritual input, serving as a blueprint for guarding one's mind, spirit, and sphere of authority from anything contrary to God's standards.

His resolute statement, "I hate the work of those who fall away," reveals a deep, heartfelt opposition to wickedness and apostasy. This isn't just about passive disapproval; it's an active detestation of deeds that deviate from God's truth. Such a posture is foundational for righteous leadership, as it means not only avoiding evil oneself but actively repudiating and having no tolerance for it in others within one's realm of influence.

Finally, "it shall not cling to me" powerfully asserts the psalmist's intention to remain personally undefiled and unstained by the pervasive influence of wickedness. This speaks to a steadfast moral separation and integrity that prevents evil from taking root in his character, household, or government. For the believer, this verse is a potent reminder to guard one's gateways of perception (eyes, ears), to cultivate a hatred for sin, and to diligently pursue a life where sin cannot gain a foothold or corrupt one's spiritual walk and testimony. It encourages constant self-examination and reliance on God to maintain blamelessness in a world full of temptation.

Examples for practical usage:

• Personal Purity: Choosing carefully what media one consumes (television, internet, social media) to avoid images or narratives that glorify evil or promote immoral behavior.
• Ethical Stand: Actively refusing to participate in or condone dishonest practices in one's workplace, even if common, and speaking against them when appropriate.
• Company We Keep: Carefully selecting close associates and friends, seeking out those who uphold godly values and avoiding those whose "works" contradict Christian principles, so their ways do not "cling."