< Psalms 101 >

1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: to you, O LORD, will I sing.
A psalm of David. I will sing of your faithful love and good judgment. I will sing praises to you, Lord.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I will make sure my life is blameless. When will you come and help me? My life will be one of integrity even in private.
3 I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not stick to me.
I will not look at anything evil. I hate doing wrong—I won't have anything to do with it.
4 A fraudulent heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
I won't think bad thoughts—I won't even consider anything evil.
5 Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
I will silence anyone who secretly slanders their neighbor. I won't tolerate anyone who is proud and arrogant.
6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
I look for faithful people to live with me; only those who are trustworthy will serve me.
7 He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight.
No one who is dishonest will live in my house; no liars will be allowed in my presence.
8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
I work every day to silence the wicked in the land, to rid the city of the Lord of all who do evil.

< Psalms 101 >