David ‘sings’, delighting in God’s ‘love and justice’ (v 1). The word rendered ‘love’ (hesed) is frequently translated ‘loyalty’ or ‘steadfast love’. God remains unfailingly faithful to his covenant, even when his people fail miserably. If hesed is the foundation of the covenant, its hallmark is justice; the priest-king of Hebrews ushers in the messianic reign, which is characterised by justice and peace.

‘Ideals are like the stars: we never reach them, but like the mariners of the sea, we chart our course by them.’* God’s covenant love and justice are the high ideals by which David charts his course. He desires to see these qualities mirrored on earth as in heaven, in the kingdom of Israel. David declares his commitment to cultivate integrity in his personal life – himself and his household (v 2) – and in his public life, where, as king, he is charged with administration of justice in the kingdom (vs 5–8). 

David frequently failed to live up to these high ideals (2 Samuel 11). Nevertheless, he delighted in God, desired God’s will, and was wholly dedicated to being ‘a man after his [God’s] own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14).

*Carl Shurz, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/carl_schurz_389236

‘When will you come to me?’ (v 2). In the midst of all this psalm’s affirmations, I make this one solitary – piercing – question my own.

I read (or sing) this psalm several times to establish the rhythm of the psalmist’s ‘I will…’ and ‘I won’t…’ in my heart. Think of the repeated ‘I will’ as promises or vows rather than just bland statements of intent.¹ What is the point of singing such songs? The psalmist uses ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘my’ 20 times (NIV). What verbs (action words) give energy to his promises? What behaviours does he detest and avoid? 

There are 73 David psalms in the psalter, but only two of them (101,103) are in Book 4. Psalm 72:20 says that the prayers of David are ended. The Temple is in ruins; it appears that the Lord has rejected his people and renounced his covenant.² So who is the ‘David’ of Psalm 101? What phrases in the psalm suggest his high status? Perhaps this psalm is a mirror for monarchs? Read in Samuel of David’s tragic failures in these matters of piety and justice in his own life, house and appointments. Absalom stole the people’s hearts by rising early.³

The psalmist reviews his private and his public life, and so do I. He meditates on piety and justice (there is no ‘your’ in the Hebrew text of verse 1), two things which it is hard to keep together in a vibrant partnership. Does his morality seem very hard-edged, very black-and-white to me? Is hatred a part of the armoury of my spiritual life (v 3)? Do I set my compass in the first moments of every day (v 8)? I sing or pray these words again, to anchor them in my heart. People sinking into dementia, losing their powers of speech and conversation, may surprisingly retain their ability to sing and to pray.  

‘When will you come to me?’ (v 2). He is coming.⁴ Am I ready for his coming?5

¹ See Gordon Wenham, Psalms as Torah, Baker, 2012, p67–74  ² Ps 74:7; 77:7; 78:59; 89:39  ³ 2 Sam 15:1–6  ⁴ Ps 96:13; 98:9  ⁵ Ps 50:3; 143:2