Psalm 101 – Living and leading uprightly

David wrote Psalm 101, describing his own aspiration as he exercised his leadership as king of Israel. Here David talked about his own commitment to his life and his work. He wanted to ensure the purest of integrity to himself, to his reign and to those who serve with him. While he talked about his own desire in this Psalm, what he wrote better describes King Jesus our Lord and His perfect reign. We know our Lord kept His personal life with integrity and purity, and at the same time exercised justice in all situations.

David’s intention would be well worth emulating. In the first verse, he already made known how he valued mercy and fairness, and would integrate them into his life. His desire was to walk uprightly and to ensure that he and his household lived in integrity. He was bent on being and doing what’s right before the Lord. He was not permitting anyone to influence him, and was determined not to have anything to do with those who were perverse. He would ensure that evil could never be a part of him.

In term of his reign and those who served in his court, he was very adamant that he would be uprightly scrupulous. Those with forward heart, a perverse spirit would not serve with him. A wicked person would never be in his circle and he would take out those who would secretly slander their neighbour. David would not tolerate any of his prideful official. He would rather surround himself with people who were faithful and righteous. All deceitful people will be thrust out of his service, even those who had the propensity to lie. No member of his family who exercised wickedness would he allow into the holy city.

How’s that for a leader? The world is in need of such a leader. We can see everything David described perfectly in Jesus our Lord and King. This Psalm dealt with many facets that we who want to be true to God and to ourselves must take heed. The call is to be upright, blameless, humble, and merciful. Bear in mind that a right desire is needed to drive our passion and stir our action in the right direction. Like David, let’s determine to start with the right desire for the Lord, and let it guide us into being, living and doing right for Him.