< Psalms 101 >
1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O YHWH, will I sing.
Of David, a psalm. If kindness and justice I sing, making melody to you, Lord.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I would look to the way that is blameless, and make it my own. Within my own house I would walk with an innocent heart.
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
I would never direct my eyes to a thing that is base. The impulse to stray I abhor it shall not cling to me.
4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Far from me be perverseness of heart, or kinship with evil.
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Who slanders their neighbour in secret, I bring them to silence: haughty looks and proud hearts I will not abide.
6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
I will favour the true in the land, they shall live in my court. Those who walk in a way that is blameless will be my attendant.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
No one will live in my house who practises guile. No one that speaks a lie will abide 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 YHWH.
Morn by morn I will wholly wipe out all the bad in the land, and cut off from the Lord’s own city all workers of evil.