Psalm 101:7 kjv
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Psalm 101:7 nkjv
He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.
Psalm 101:7 niv
No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.
Psalm 101:7 esv
No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.
Psalm 101:7 nlt
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,
and liars will not stay in my presence.
Psalm 101 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 5:6 | You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. | God's hatred of lies & deceit. |
| Ps 15:1-2 | O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? ... He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart. | Who can dwell with God; requires truthfulness. |
| Ps 120:2 | Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. | Prayer against deceitful people. |
| Prov 6:16-19 | There are six things that the LORD hates... a lying tongue, a false witness who breathes out lies... | God's detestation of falsehood. |
| Prov 12:22 | Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. | Lying lips offensive to God. |
| Prov 19:9 | A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. | Punishment for liars. |
| Prov 29:12 | If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked. | Danger of deceit in leadership. |
| Deut 17:18-20 | ...he is to write for himself in a book a copy of this law... so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words... and that he may not turn aside... to the right hand or to the left... | Law for kings to govern justly. |
| 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... | God's standard for righteous rule. |
| Isa 63:8 | For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely." | God's expectation for His people. |
| Zech 8:16 | These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another... | Command to speak truth. |
| Ex 20:16 | You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. | The Ninth Commandment against lying. |
| Lev 19:11 | You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. | Prohibitions against dishonesty. |
| Eph 4:25 | Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. | Christian call to truthfulness. |
| Col 3:9 | Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices. | Instruction for believers to shun lies. |
| Jn 8:44 | You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. | Devil as the source of lies. |
| Rev 21:8 | But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. | Liars excluded from eternal life. |
| Rev 21:27 | But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. | Exclusion of all falsehood from New Jerusalem. |
| Ps 101:2-3 | I will ponder the way that is blameless... I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. | The Psalmist's personal commitment to integrity, leading up to v.7. |
| Ps 24:3-4 | Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? ... He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false... | Purity required for approaching God's holy place. |
Psalm 101 verses
Psalm 101 7 Meaning
Psalm 101:7 encapsulates a solemn resolution by a righteous ruler—King David, in this context—to maintain moral purity within his inner circle and administration. He pledges to utterly reject and expel anyone who habitually practices deceit or speaks falsehoods. This commitment reflects a divine standard for governance, where integrity and truthfulness are non-negotiable foundations for the leader's household, court, and sphere of influence.
Psalm 101 7 Context
Psalm 101 is a Davidic psalm, presenting itself as a "royal oath" or "kingly resolution." It outlines the ethical and administrative principles that would guide the monarch's rule and personal conduct. The entire chapter focuses on King David's commitment to walking blamelessly and fostering a just and pure environment in his kingdom, starting from his own household. Verse 7 specifically addresses the people he will allow into his immediate presence and employ in his service, emphasizing the expulsion of all those characterized by deceit. Historically, rulers often depended heavily on the counsel and service of their close officials, making the integrity of these individuals crucial for sound governance. This psalm contrasts sharply with the deceit and treachery common in the courts of many ancient Near Eastern rulers, portraying David's dedication to God's standards for justice and truth.
Psalm 101 7 Word analysis
- No one: (לֹא - lo) An emphatic particle of negation, conveying absolute exclusion.
- who practices: (עשׂה - ‘oseh) From the verb "to do" or "to make." This form implies one who habitually "does" or "makes" deceit, indicating a persistent character trait, not merely an occasional act.
- deceit: (רמיה - remiyah) Refers to trickery, treachery, fraud, or hidden malice. It's often associated with actions of betrayal or intentional misleading. It suggests a crooked way of dealing with others.
- shall dwell: (יָשֵׁב - yashev) Literally "shall sit" or "shall settle." In this context, it implies maintaining a permanent position, having a place of stability and influence, particularly in a household or court.
- in my house: (בְּבֵיתִי - bə-veti) "My house" refers not only to the king's personal dwelling but metaphorically encompasses his court, his administration, and the entire structure of his government. It denotes close proximity and intimate association with the ruler.
- no one who utters: (דֹּבֵר - dover) From the verb "to speak," indicating one who habitually "speaks." Similar to "practices," it emphasizes a consistent pattern of speech.
- lies: (שֶׁקֶר - sheqer) General term for falsehood, untruth, or deception. It encompasses any verbal statement that is untrue or misleading.
- shall continue: (יִכּוֹן - yikkon) From the root "to be firm," "to be established," or "to endure." It means they shall not be permitted to stand firm, remain stable, or endure in a position of trust or influence.
- in my presence: (לְנֶגֶד עֵינַי - lĕneg̱ed ‘enay) Literally "before my eyes" or "in my sight." This denotes a position of direct observation, intimacy, and privilege within the king's inner circle, often referring to close counselors or high-ranking officials.
Words-group analysis
- "No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house": This phrase speaks to the character and habitual actions of an individual. It implies that deceit as an underlying principle or persistent behavior makes one unfit to be part of the king's trusted sphere. The 'house' signifies administrative, political, and personal space.
- "no one who utters lies shall continue in my presence": This second part focuses on speech and communication. It condemns active, verbal falsehood. The parallel structure ("deceit" and "lies") comprehensively covers both treacherous actions and deceptive words. To "continue in my presence" implies being allowed to hold a visible, respected, and enduring position of influence.
- The parallelism between "practices deceit" / "utters lies" and "dwell in my house" / "continue in my presence" demonstrates a comprehensive intolerance for any form of dishonesty within the ruler's domain, encompassing both covert actions and overt speech, leading to total exclusion from any position of influence or closeness.
Psalm 101 7 Bonus section
This verse offers a crucial lesson for leadership in any sphere—familial, spiritual, or civic. The quality of governance is directly linked to the moral integrity of those entrusted with authority and proximity. A leader committed to righteousness must actively guard against surrounding themselves with flatterers, schemers, or dishonest individuals, as such associations corrupt the environment and hinder true justice. For believers, this extends beyond earthly governance: we are called to examine our own 'houses'—our hearts, our minds, our words, and our associations—to ensure that falsehood is not given a place, thus living in a manner consistent with being children of the God of Truth.
Psalm 101 7 Commentary
Psalm 101:7 is a resolute declaration from a righteous leader to uphold a standard of truth and integrity in his administration. It signifies David's commitment to weeding out dishonesty at every level, recognizing that a stable and just kingdom cannot be built upon falsehood. He vows to purge his court of anyone whose character or communication is marked by deceit, preventing such individuals from holding any position of trust or closeness. This is not merely about punishing isolated acts of lying, but about rejecting persons who embody deceit as a consistent trait. The king, being an instrument of divine justice, establishes his earthly rule on principles that mirror God's own character, as God Himself cannot abide falsehood (Ps 5:4-6, Prov 12:22). This royal pledge also foreshadows the perfectly pure reign of the Messiah, where absolutely no deception will be tolerated (Rev 21:27).