Psalm 101
The Heart and Work of the King
The Apostle Paul says there is just one mediator between God and man. It is Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2.5). His role as Mediator is threefold. He is the true Prophet, Priest and King of God.
He is the Prophet who speaks the truth of God.
He is the Priest who leads us into the presence of God.
He is the King who rules over the people of God.
This Psalm dwells on Jesus as our True King.
A Psalm of David.
[1] I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O LORD, I will make music.
[2] I will ponder the way that is blameless.
Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
[3] 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.
[4] A perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil.
[5] Whoever slanders his neighbour secretly
I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart
I will not endure.
[6] I will look with favour 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.
[7] No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue before my eyes.
[8] Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers
from the city of the LORD.
This Psalm was penned by David, the great poet-King of the people of God. But while it was written by him, it finds its fullest voice coming from the lips of the greater Son of David. In this Psalm, we hear the voice of Jesus, as he speaks to us of his heart and his work as our King.
The King’s Heart
It is not what goes into a person but what comes out which defiles someone (Mark 7.20). In saying this, Jesus turned the Pharisees understanding of holiness inside-out (or outside-in). For it is the heart which determines our conduct and choices.
We might then say that it is even more important for a leader to be righteous at heart. That is because a leader has responsibility not just for themselves but also for others. The success of a team, division, office, workplace, council, church or any other community rests with the quality of the leader. And beyond that, we would then say it is peculiarly important for the heart of the King to be right. For the whole people depend on him.
David outlines what the true King’s heart looks like.
He worships God wholeheartedly (1)
He seeks a holy life, considering how best to walk as a man of God (2)
He withdraws himself from any temptation or sin (3)
He wards of sin not just from his environment but in his very heart (4)
The shadow of failure hangs over David though. He fell short of this aim and ideal. So the people waited (and waited) for the true King, whose heart was pure.
David as king though was just the shadow that pointed towards the True King. Jesus is the King who sought God in every area of his life, who pursued holiness relentlessly, who fended off the temptations of the enemy, and whose heart was radiant in purity.
The King’s Work
Our actions are determined by the nature of our heart. What does a pure hearted King then commit himself to? There are two key areas.
First, the King will purge all wrongdoing and evil from his kingdom (see Revelation 21.8). This is not vindictiveness but righteous judgement. Look at who it says that the King will punish:
The one who bad mouths others behind their backs seeking to belittle and disgrace them (5)
Whoever thinks they are too important to serve and love others, leaving the weak to suffer while they are comfortable (5)
Those who manipulate the truth to further their own ends and those who bend the truth to hurt others (7)
Those who are wicked and those who are evildoers (8)
Second, the King will show favour on his people. What this means he spells out in v6. He will draw his people into his household, the place where they will dwell with him and serve him.
Jesus called himself the door (John 10.9). He is the only way for sheep who are lost and hurting to find their way into a place of safety and peace. He is the King who opens the narrow door to the Kingdom, where those who have humbled themselves and trusted in the gospel will find their way into new and everlasting life.
This Psalm invites us to see the heart of our King and to treasure his work in the world and in our lives. Listen to him. Bow the knee to him. Praise him.
Glory be to God the Father, whose steadfast love and justice are worthy of praise.
Glory be to God the Son, our true and everlasting King.
Glory be to God the Spirit, who convicts the haughty and comforts the faithful.
Ever three and ever One.
Home Group: Luke 14.25-35
What is your first response when you hear Jesus teaching things like this? What is its main purpose for us?
What are the greatest challenges to Jesus being number one in our lives?
Why is it so helpful that Jesus is clear about the cost of following him? What will following him look like?
Why is Jesus worthy of putting first and foremost in our lives?