Psalm 101:8 kjv
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Psalm 101:8 nkjv
Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.
Psalm 101:8 niv
Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.
Psalm 101:8 esv
Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.
Psalm 101:8 nlt
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
and free the city of the LORD from their grip.
Psalm 101 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 20:26 | A wise king scatters the wicked, and brings the threshing wheel over them. | King's duty to purge wicked. |
| Prov 25:5 | Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. | Purity of court for righteous rule. |
| 2 Sam 8:15 | So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people. | David's righteous reign. |
| Isa 32:1 | Behold, a king will reign in righteousness... | Prophecy of a righteous king. |
| Jer 23:5 | ...I will raise up for David a righteous Branch... will execute justice and righteousness in the land. | Prophetic, ultimate righteous king. |
| Zec 9:9 | Behold, your King is coming to you... Righteous and having salvation. | Christ as the Righteous King. |
| Ps 7:9 | Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end... you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! | God's ultimate judgment on wickedness. |
| Ps 37:9 | For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait on the LORD shall inherit the earth. | Removal of evildoers. |
| Ps 37:28 | For the LORD loves justice; He will not forsake His saints... but the offspring of the wicked shall be cut off. | God's commitment to justice, ends wicked. |
| Ps 92:7 | When the wicked spring up like grass... it is that they may be destroyed forever. | Divine judgment on wicked. |
| Ps 145:20 | The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. | God's destruction of wicked. |
| Isa 1:28 | But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the LORD shall perish. | God's judgment on rebellious. |
| Jer 2:30 | ...Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a devouring lion. | Wickedness in the land. |
| Matt 13:41-42 | The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. | Eschatological cleansing of Christ's kingdom. |
| Matt 25:41 | Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ | Final judgment and removal of wicked. |
| 2 Thes 1:9 | These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. | Ultimate judgment on disobedient. |
| Rev 21:27 | But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. | Purity of the New Jerusalem. |
| Rev 22:15 | But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. | Exclusion of the unrighteous. |
| Isa 35:8 | ...but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, even fools, shall not go astray. | Purity of the way to God's presence. |
| Joel 3:17 | So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, and no foreigners shall ever pass through her again. | Purity of God's holy city. |
| Zec 14:21 | ...every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts. | Holiness extended throughout Jerusalem. |
| Heb 12:22-24 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... | The Heavenly Jerusalem. |
| Isa 60:14 | They shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. | Jerusalem, City of the LORD. |
Psalm 101 verses
Psalm 101 8 Meaning
Psalm 101:8 declares the steadfast resolve of a righteous ruler—typically interpreted as David, and ultimately as Christ—to promptly and thoroughly purge all evil-doers and wickedness from his realm and the sacred city of the Lord. It signifies a king's unwavering commitment to establishing justice and purity within his jurisdiction, ensuring that those who practice iniquity have no place among God's people or in His holy dwelling.
Psalm 101 8 Context
Psalm 101 is a royal psalm attributed to King David, reflecting his personal commitment and governmental program. It outlines the principles by which he intends to rule his kingdom and administer his household. The preceding verses (Ps 101:1-7) detail his vow to walk with integrity, reject evil influences, refuse deceit, and dismiss wicked individuals from his presence. Verse 8, therefore, serves as the decisive culmination of this resolve, focusing on the swift and total eradication of wickedness not only from his immediate court but from the entire land and, crucially, from Jerusalem, "the city of the LORD," highlighting its sanctity. Historically, Israelite kings were expected to be guardians of God's law and righteousness, making such a declaration foundational to legitimate and covenantal rule.
Psalm 101 8 Word analysis
Early (בַּבֹּקֶר - babbaqoqer): Literally "in the morning." This signifies prompt, decisive, and consistent action. It's not a mere suggestion, but a determination to address wickedness immediately, as soon as it is perceived, indicating vigilance and no delay in meting out justice.
Will I destroy (צָמַת - tsamat): This verb means to cut off, annihilate, exterminate, or bring to an end. It denotes complete eradication, a thorough purging rather than a temporary suppression. The active voice underscores the king's direct involvement in executing this justice.
All the wicked (כָּל־רְשָׁעֵי - kol-resha'ei): "All" emphasizes totality, no exceptions. "Wicked" refers to those who are morally corrupt, defiant against God's law, and who act unrighteously. It denotes character and lifestyle.
Of the land (אָ֭רֶץ - 'arets): Refers to the specific territory over which the king reigns, the land of Israel. It implies a comprehensive scope of his justice, encompassing the entire nation.
That I may cut off (לְהַכְרִית - lehakhrit): This is a purpose clause, expressing the king's intent. "Cut off" (khārat) again implies severing, bringing to an end, exterminating. It reinforces the severity and totality of the preceding "destroy."
All wicked doers (כָּל־פֹּעֲלֵי אָ֭וֶן - kol-po'alei 'aven): Literally "all workers of iniquity" or "all those who practice mischief/evil." This specifies the target as those whose actions and deeds are wicked, emphasizing not just character but also concrete harmful behaviors and practices. It complements "all the wicked" by focusing on their active wrongdoing.
From the city of the LORD (מֵעִיר יְהוָה - me'ir Yahweh): This refers specifically to Jerusalem, the divinely chosen capital of Israel, the place where God's temple and presence resided. The king's commitment is particularly strong regarding this sacred city, aiming to maintain its purity as a reflection of God's holiness and His dwelling place. This also points to a religious or spiritual purity being paramount, not just social justice.
Words-group analysis:
- "Early will I destroy... that I may cut off": This repetition and parallel structure emphasize the unwavering resolve and the comprehensive nature of the king's judicial program. It is an immediate and absolute cleansing.
- "All the wicked... all wicked doers": This double emphasis underscores the universality of the purging – no one who is wicked by nature or practice will be tolerated within the realm.
- "Of the land... from the city of the LORD": This shows a broad scope from the entire national territory to the spiritual and political heart of the nation. The king is committed to a top-down and widespread cleansing of the entire domain under God's sovereignty.
Psalm 101 8 Bonus section
The resolve articulated in Psalm 101:8 finds its perfect fulfillment in the future reign of the Messiah. While King David pursued this ideal with human limitations, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the prophesied King, will establish a kingdom entirely devoid of wickedness. His ultimate return will see the full and final "cutting off" of all evil from the land, the earth, and from the New Jerusalem. This verse thus stands not only as a historical king's pledge but also as a prophetic anticipation of a world perfectly governed by the righteousness of God's Son, where all who do unrighteousness are indeed purged from His holy city and everlasting presence.
Psalm 101 8 Commentary
Psalm 101:8 is a bold declaration of a monarch's dedication to just and righteous rule. It embodies the ideal Israelite king who understands his role as God's representative, committed to upholding divine law and purging societal evils. The promise to act "early" indicates a swift and vigilant approach to justice, a refusal to tolerate corruption or ungodliness even for a moment. The use of "destroy" and "cut off" speaks to an uncompromising, complete removal of those who defy divine standards, whether they are individuals whose character is inherently "wicked" or those whose "doings" constitute "iniquity." This proactive stance is essential for maintaining order and moral health in the kingdom. Crucially, the purification culminates in "the city of the LORD," highlighting that God's own dwelling place and capital must be unblemished, free from moral corruption. This ideal king aims to create an environment where God's presence is truly honored, reflecting a governance that aligns with divine holiness. For believers today, this psalm models a personal commitment to diligently confront sin and unrighteousness within our own "kingdoms"—our hearts, homes, and spheres of influence—striving for purity in light of Christ, our true King, who will ultimately execute perfect justice and establish His flawless, eternal kingdom.