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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
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2015 May 13



The Tribunal of the Brabant Mint in Antwerp (1594)
Marten de Vos (1532-1603)
Mannerism Style
Rockox House, Antwerp, Belgium
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: In Psalm 101 David makes vows of obedience to the LORD and asks for his aid. Today's painting focuses on three of David's main concerns in the Psalm below: Justice, Deceit, and Violence. Deceit and its counterparts are particularly in view in the Psalm; violence is an implicit result, particularly when a deceiver slanders his neighbor -- most often resulting in harm to his reputation, his goods, his person, or his life. The circumstances of the Psalm are not stated; but David's request for God's aid, coupled with his detailed promise of how he would reign, imply a time when David had not yet fully come into the kingdom which God had promised him. One such time was during his years of flight from Saul (1 Samuel 19 - 31 & 2 Samuel 1). Another such time, and one which seems more likely to me, was during the years of war with Saul's son Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 2 - 4). I take this interpretation based on my sense from reading the text that David seemed to be anticipating a resolution which was near. And when the war with Ishbosheth was over David entered fully into the kingship over all of the tribes. Nevertheless, this interpretation is conjecture on my part and should be weighed in light of arguments advanced by other interpreters in favor of their conjectures.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: KINGSHIP AND COVENANT PSALMS: Psalm 2. Psalm 18. Psalm 20. Psalm 21. Psalm 24. Psalm 29. Psalm 45. Psalm 47. Psalm 50. Psalm 72. Psalm 81. Psalm 89. Psalm 93. Psalm 95. Psalm 96. Psalm 97. Psalm 98. Psalm 99. Psalm 100. Psalm 101. Psalm 132. Psalm 144. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 101 - #1. Psalm 101 - #2. Psalm 101 - #3. Psalm 101 - #4. ]

     David's theme in the Psalm is mercy and judgment (1). He promises to behave wisely and perfectly (uprightly). And he pleads with the LORD to come to him as he walks with a perfect heart (i.e., a heart of integrity). He promises to set no wicked thing before his eyes and to hate the work of those who turn aside. He promises to make anyone who has a "froward heart" (a crooked or perverse heart) to depart from him. He promises to not know (i.e., to repudiate) wicked (evil) people (2-4). He will cut off anyone who slanders his neighbor. He will not tolerate anyone who has a high look or a proud heart (5). By contrast, his eyes will be on those who are faithful in the land; and anyone who walks in a perfect way (a way of integrity) will serve in his court (6). He will remove from his house and from his presence anyone who works deceit or tells lies. He will destroy the wicked (ungodly) and the worthless from God's city (7-8).


THE PSALTER:

BOOK FOUR OF FIVE:

Psalms 90-106.


Psalm 101


1 A Psalm of David. *

I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

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.
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.
4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

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.

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.

7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
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.


* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]





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