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I will study the way that is blameless.
When shall I attain it? ...
Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all evildoers
from the city of the Lord.
-- Psalm 101:2, 8

Theme: David's mirror for rulers

Outline
1-2 -- God's covenant loyalty and justice, and my loyal response to it, is my intention.
3-4 -- As for me, I resolve:
a. integrity in my palace and family,
b. no time for anything base,
c. no encouragement for those who fall away, and
d. no tolerating evil.
5-8 -- As for my rule (government):
a. the faithful will be encouraged,
b. no tolerating of slander,
c. or snobbery or class distinctions,
d. loyal cooperation is to be expected from all,
e. no deceitful practices or dishonesty, and
f. court sessions (mornings) will be used to cut off evildoers from the land.

Notes
• Royal Messianic
• If written by David, it reveals his anxious concern of being worthy of God's trust and presence, especially after the terrifying lesson of Uzzah's death, a lesson in the holiness of God. (See 1 Samuel 6.) Loyalty to God, uprightness and integrity, is what God seeks through the covenant (Micah 6:8).

For Reflection
• Luther wrote an exposition of the psalm as a manual for the Christian prince -- 78 pages! Some European princes felt it was written for them. It spells out the standard of integrity for those governing a nation, and for those governed. Its foundation is the loyalty and justice of God.
• How can we help to preserve the Christian faith from becoming mere civil religion?
• Will the state ever become anything but a temporary and wretched make-shift substitute for the kingdom of God? Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).

Prayer
Lord God, how have the mighty fallen from you and your justice in our day! Restore among us a new respect for honesty, faithfulness, and justice in our homes and in our governments. Grant renewal to your church, that it may proclaim your redeeming purpose and power and be exhibits of integrity. Amen.