Psalm 101

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Psalm 101

A Sovereign’s Pledge of Integrity and Justice

Of David. A Psalm.

¹I will sing of loyalty and of justice;
to you, O Lord, I will sing.^(A)
²I will study the way that is blameless.
When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;^(B)
³I will not set before my eyes
anything that is base.

I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.^(C)
⁴Perverseness of heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil.^(D)

⁵One who secretly slanders a neighbor
I will destroy.
A haughty look and an arrogant heart
I will not tolerate.^(E)

⁶I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
so that they may live with me;
whoever walks in the way that is blameless
shall minister to me.^(F)

⁷No one who practices deceit
shall remain in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue in my presence.

⁸Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all evildoers
from the city of the Lord.^(G)

Psalm 101

Contemporary English Version

(A psalm by David.)

A King and His Promises

¹I will sing to you, Lord!
I will celebrate your kindness
    and your justice.
²Please help me learn
    to do the right thing,
and I will be honest and fair
    in my own kingdom.

³I refuse to be corrupt
or to take part
in anything crooked,
⁴and I won't be dishonest
or deceitful.

⁵Anyone who spreads gossip
will be silenced;
no one who is conceited
will be my friend.

⁶I will find trustworthy people
to serve as my advisors;
only an honest person
will serve as an official.

⁷No one who cheats or lies
will have a position
    in my royal court.
⁸Each morning I will silence
    any lawbreakers I find
in the countryside
    or in the city of the Lord.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Psalm 101 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition