Psalms 101:4

³I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. ⁴A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil.

Summary

In this verse, the psalmist expresses a commitment to live with integrity and righteousness. The focus is on guarding one's heart and mind against wickedness and evil influences. It serves as a reminder to choose a path of uprightness and to avoid partaking in deceitful practices. The verse underscores the importance of maintaining moral purity and upholding God's standards in all aspects of life. Ultimately, it encourages believers to strive for holiness and faithfulness in their thoughts, words, and actions.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

A froward heart--or, "perverse heart" (Psa 18:26). Such a temper I will not indulge, nor even know evil or wickedness.

John Gill Bible Commentary

A froward heart shall depart from me,.... A man of a froward heart, that devises frowardness in his heart, and speaks it out with his mouth; that which is perverse, and contrary to the law of God and Gospel of Christ, to the light of nature and the word of God; contrary to the sentiments of all good men, and repugnant to truth and good manners: such sort of persons are disagreeable companions, and good men would not choose to have anything to do with them; they are hateful to Christ, and shall be bid to depart from him; see Pro 8:13. I will not know a wicked person: so as to be familiar with him, or show him any respect; have any affection for him, or take any notice of him; such Christ will not know at the great day, Mat 7:23, or "I will not know wickedness" (l), or any wicked work and action, approve of it, love it, delight in it, and do it: the Targum interprets it of the evil concupiscence, corruption of nature, or indwelling sin, which is hated by the believer, Rom 7:15 and is utterly unknown to Christ; he was not conscious of it; he knew no sin, Co2 5:21 original or actual; he had no sin in him, nor was any done by him, or, it may be, mention is made of the morning, because that was the usual time of hearing and judging causes, Jer 21:12, or this may have respect to the spiritual reign of Christ, whose coming will be as the morning; when the Heathens shall perish out of his land, when sinners shall be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked shall be no more, and he will destroy them that destroy the earth, Psa 10:16. The Targum agrees with this, "in the world to come, which is like to the light of the morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the earth:'' that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord; from the city of Jerusalem, as the Targum and Kimchi interpret it; and it may be understood of the church of God, in the spiritual reign of Christ, into which shall enter no more the uncircumcised and the unclean; and all that offend and do iniquity shall be gathered out of it, Isa 52:1 or of the New Jerusalem church state, in the personal reign of Christ, into which no wicked doers will be admitted, but will remain for ever without, Rev 21:27. (l) "malum hominem sive opus", Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 101:4

I Will Set No Worthless Thing before My Eyes

³I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. ⁴A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil.