Psalm 101:6 kjv
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
Psalm 101:6 nkjv
My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me.
Psalm 101:6 niv
My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
Psalm 101:6 esv
I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
Psalm 101:6 nlt
I will search for faithful people
to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
will be allowed to serve me.
Psalm 101 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 17:15 | you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. | Choose a king from among brothers, implying shared values. |
| 1 Sam 13:14 | the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people... | God's choice of a righteous leader like David. |
| Prov 20:28 | Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. | Emphasizes the virtues necessary for a stable reign. |
| Prov 25:5 | take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. | Corresponds to purging unrighteous from court. |
| Prov 28:16 | An oppressive ruler lacks understanding, but he who hates dishonest gain will prolong his days. | Leaders should hate dishonest gain. |
| Ps 78:72 | With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. | God choosing David for his integrity and skill. |
| Isa 32:1 | Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. | Prophetic vision of a righteous reign. |
| Jer 22:3 | Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness... and do no wrong... | Divine command for righteous governance. |
| Mt 5:8 | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. | Connects purity of heart with divine vision. |
| Mt 7:16 | You will recognize them by their fruits. | Discernment of character by actions. |
| Eph 5:11 | Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. | Rejection of association with unrighteousness. |
| 1 Tim 3:2 | Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach... | Qualities for spiritual leaders (similar to public servants). |
| Tit 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach... | Requirements for faithful leadership in the church. |
| Heb 1:9 | You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you... | Describes Christ's nature of righteousness. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace... | Serving others as faithful stewards. |
| Rev 19:11 | Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. | Christ's faithful and righteous rule. |
| Dan 6:3 | Then Daniel distinguished himself above all the other administrators and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him... | Daniel's character for high position. |
| 2 Sam 23:3 | The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God... | Divinely established principles for just rule. |
| Ps 1:1 | Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers... | Contrasts righteous living with avoiding evil counsel. |
| Ps 75:2 | At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. | God's promise to rule justly. |
| Ps 125:4 | Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! | Prayer for divine favor on the righteous. |
| Zech 7:9 | Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another... | Prophetic call for justice and compassion. |
Psalm 101 verses
Psalm 101 6 Meaning
Psalm 101:6 expresses a resolute commitment by a righteous ruler, likely David, to surround himself exclusively with people of integrity and faithfulness. The verse signifies a king's discerning choice to appoint and maintain in his close presence only those who are trustworthy, morally upright, and walk in blameless ways. These individuals are deemed fit to serve in the royal court, reflecting the king's own pursuit of justice and holiness in his administration and personal life.
Psalm 101 6 Context
Psalm 101 is a didactic (instructive) royal psalm, often titled "A King's Pledge of Integrity." It presents King David's personal commitment and governing philosophy, outlining how he intends to rule his kingdom. This psalm serves as a declaration of his dedication to uphold justice, righteousness, and holiness within his personal conduct and his royal court. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's character profoundly influenced the stability and moral fabric of his nation. David pledges to "walk within my house with a blameless heart" (v.2), reject evil ways and pride (v.4-5), and then in verse 6, focuses on the character of the people he will employ and associate with. This commitment to having righteous advisors and administrators was critical for establishing and maintaining a kingdom rooted in God's laws, counteracting the common practices of corruption, favoritism, and oppressive rule found in many surrounding nations.
Psalm 101 6 Word analysis
- My eyes (עֵינַי -
ʿênay): Emphasizes keen observation, careful scrutiny, and deliberate choice. It speaks to the ruler's personal discernment and active seeking of particular qualities in people, rather than passive acceptance. It implies focused attention on the character of potential associates and servants. - on the faithful (בְּנֶאֶמְנֵי -
bə-neʾemne):neʾeman(from the rootʾāmēn) means reliable, trustworthy, loyal, firm, steadfast, true, honest.- This is a crucial characteristic, encompassing integrity, commitment to truth, and loyalty not just to the king but to righteous principles. It is about a character proven to be stable and dependable.
- This faithfulness aligns with God's own attribute (e.g., Deut 7:9, "God is faithful").
- of the land (אָרֶץ -
ʾāreṣ): Refers to the inhabitants of the kingdom, the people under his rule. It broadens the scope from personal associates to those appointed over the kingdom's affairs, underscoring the king's responsibility to select leaders from his entire populace who exemplify these virtues. - that they may dwell with me (עִמָּדִי -
ʿimmādî):- Literally "with me." Signifies proximity, access, and intimate association with the king.
- It means they will be part of his household, his court, his closest advisors, or placed in positions of direct responsibility under him. This close relationship allows them to influence decisions and uphold the king's righteous vision for the land.
- the one who walks (הוֹלֵךְ -
hôlēḵ):- A participle, indicating continuous action or a characteristic manner of living. "Walk" (Hebrew
halakh) metaphorically refers to one's conduct, lifestyle, and consistent behavior. - This is not a one-time act but a habitual way of life, demonstrating ingrained moral character.
- A participle, indicating continuous action or a characteristic manner of living. "Walk" (Hebrew
- in a blameless way (בְּדֶרֶךְ תָּמִים -
bə-dereḵ tāmîm):dereḵmeans "way" or "path," indicating one's course of life, principles, and conduct.tāmîmmeans complete, perfect, blameless, whole, sound, upright. It signifies moral integrity, ethical soundness, and purity of intention.- This goes beyond outward appearance to an inner rectitude. It suggests a life lived according to God's statutes and principles, without hidden sin or moral compromise. This person is transparent and true in their dealings.
- he shall minister to me (יְשָׁרְתֵנִי -
yəšārətēnî):shārathmeans to serve, minister, attend to, be a servant. It is a term often used for sacred or royal service (e.g., serving in the Tabernacle/Temple, or attending a king).- It implies an honorable and trusted position of service, contributing directly to the governance and well-being of the kingdom under the king's righteous rule. This service would include advice, administration, and execution of justice.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "My eyes will be on the faithful of the land": This phrase highlights active discernment. The king is not passive but intentionally seeks out those who embody trustworthiness and truthfulness within his realm for positions of authority and proximity. It implies a moral filtration system for his administration.
- "that they may dwell with me; the one who walks in a blameless way, he shall minister to me": This group clarifies the purpose of the selection. It's not merely for show but for functional, close collaboration and service. The connection between dwelling with the king (personal association, proximity, influence) and ministering (practical service, governance) underscores that faithful, blameless character is the non-negotiable prerequisite for both trust and responsibility within the king's inner circle and administration.
Psalm 101 6 Bonus section
This verse sets a significant precedent for leadership, not just in ancient monarchy but in all spheres of influence, including modern government, businesses, and churches. It highlights the principle of "like attracting like" or "a leader's circle reflects their values." When a leader surrounds themselves with faithful and blameless individuals, it fosters a culture of trust, accountability, and integrity, promoting an environment conducive to ethical decision-making and righteous outcomes. Conversely, appointing compromised individuals would inevitably lead to corrupt practices and diminish the ruler's credibility. Spiritually, this verse can also be seen as foreshadowing Christ's kingdom, where those who dwell with Him and minister to Him are indeed called to walk in blameless ways, reflecting His perfect faithfulness and righteousness. The pursuit of personal integrity directly impacts the quality of one's associations and the effectiveness of one's service.
Psalm 101 6 Commentary
Psalm 101:6 captures the essence of a righteous king's administrative policy, deeply rooted in divine wisdom. David pledges to mirror God's own character in his leadership by ensuring that his immediate circle and administrative appointees are characterized by faithfulness and blameless conduct. This is a foundational principle for just governance: those who advise and implement the king's will must embody the very virtues the king seeks to establish in his kingdom. The choice of loyal, upright individuals is not just practical for efficiency but essential for maintaining a morally sound court that can accurately reflect the king's commitment to justice and avoid corruption. It reflects an understanding that a leader's character is profoundly expressed through the company he keeps and the people he empowers. For a truly just rule to flourish, integrity must permeate from the top down.