Psalm Devotional
The King's Commitments
In the early days of his administration, the mayor of one of the United States’ largest cities made this statement: “There is no relationship between an official’s personal life, and the way he does his job.” Few were surprised when it was discovered several years later that the mayor had not only been unfaithful to his wife, but also corrupt in his public affairs. Against the backdrop of that all-too-common story, King David’s words are a breath of fresh air.
Psalm 101 has long been referred to as “The Magistrate’s Mirror.” With certain caveats, it’s natural to draw lessons for our public leaders from these verses. But, more to the point, this is a song of Zion. Here we find David’s words giving way to Christ’s. David’s life only imperfectly does justice to the full extent of these unswerving commitments. King Jesus sings of “covenant love and justice” (v. 1). What do these commitments mean to His people? There are eschatological, ethical and evangelical angles for us to consider.
