Psalms 119:63(v6)I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
Luke 12:43-44(v6)Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has.
Revelation 21:3(v6)I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his…
John 12:26(v6)If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Psalms 119:1-3(v6)Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh’s law. Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with…
Show all 58 cross-references
Romans 13:1-4(v6)Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by…
Psalms 15:3(v5)he who doesn’t slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man;
Matthew 24:45(v6)“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
John 17:24(v6)Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you…
Philippians 3:12-15(v6)Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold…
Psalms 15:4(v6)in whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear Yahweh; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change;
Psalms 18:27(v5)For you will save the afflicted people, but the arrogant eyes you will bring down.
Psalms 34:15(v6)Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.
Proverbs 11:20(v4)Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
Proverbs 28:28(v6)When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
Proverbs 29:2(v6)When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
John 14:3(v6)If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.
Acts 5:1-10(v7)But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of…
Revelation 3:20-21(v6)Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and…
2 Samuel 4:10-12(v7)when someone told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking that he brought good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the…
Psalms 50:20(v5)You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother’s son.
Proverbs 20:19(v5)He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
Proverbs 29:12(v7)If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
Proverbs 30:13(v5)There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.
Obadiah 1:3-4(v5)The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high, who says in his heart, ‘Who…
Luke 18:14(v5)I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who…
1 Corinthians 5:11(v5)But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a…
Titus 2:3(v5)and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good,
Psalms 52:2(v7)Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psalms 119:115(v4)Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Proverbs 6:16-19(v5)There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed…
Proverbs 8:13(v4)The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
Proverbs 9:6(v4)Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 22:24(v4)Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:
Daniel 4:37(v5)Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk…
Matthew 7:23(v4)Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
Acts 1:16-20(v7)“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning…
2 Corinthians 6:14-16(v4)Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with…
2 Timothy 2:19(v4)However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the…
1 Peter 5:5-6(v5)Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another;…
Exodus 20:16(v5)“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Exodus 23:1(v5)“You shall not spread a false report. Don’t join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.
Leviticus 19:16(v5)“ ‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people. “ ‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.
1 Samuel 2:3(v5)“Don’t keep talking so exceedingly proudly. Don’t let arrogance come out of your mouth, for Yahweh is a God of knowledge. By him actions…
2 Kings 5:26-27(v7)He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to…
Job 40:11-12(v5)Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low. Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the…
Psalms 6:8(v4)Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping.
Psalms 10:2-4(v5)In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise. For the wicked boasts of his heart’s…
Psalms 138:6(v5)For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but he knows the proud from afar.
Proverbs 2:12-15(v4)to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things, who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of…
Proverbs 3:32(v4)For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but his friendship is with the upright.
Proverbs 10:18(v5)He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
Proverbs 25:23(v5)The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
Isaiah 2:11(v5)The lofty looks of man will be brought low, the arrogance of men will be bowed down, and Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day.
Ezekiel 22:9(v5)Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have committed lewdness among you.
Acts 1:25(v7)to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.”
2 Corinthians 11:33(v4)I was let down in a basket through a window by the wall, and escaped his hands.
1 Timothy 3:11(v5)Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in all things.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
John Calvin1540 · Public DomainOn vv4–74 The perverse heart shall depart from me Some…
4 The perverse heart shall depart from me Some by perverse heart understand perfidious men; but this I reject as a sense too forced, and it is moreover inconsistent with the context. As David has added in the second clause by way of exposition, I will not know evil, he doubtless in the first protests that he will be free from all perfidiousness and wickedness. The amount is, that he will do his endeavor to keep himself from all wrong-doing, and that he will not even know what it is to do wrong to his neighbors.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv5–6In promising to punish these vices, which are most…
In promising to punish these vices, which are most pernicious in them that are about Kings, he declareth that he will punish all.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv4–7Psa 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me:…
Psa 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked [person].
Ver. 4. A froward heart shall depart from me] i.e. Say some, I will endeavour to put off the old man with the lusts thereof, Eph 4:22, the old crooked frame shall be dissolved, and a better erected. I will not know evil, that is, regard, or allow it, Psa 1:6. Others understand the text of rotten hearted and wicked counsellors, whom David would abhor and abandon.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv4–7A froward heart; a man of a corrupt mind…
A froward heart; a man of a corrupt mind and wicked life, such as other princes choose and prefer, as being suitable to themselves, and to their wicked designs.
Shall depart from me; shall be turned out of my court, lest they should tempt me, or infect the rest of my family, or be injurious or scandalous to my people. I will not know, i.e. not own nor countenance.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv4–7A froward heart shall depart from me,.... A man…
A froward heart shall depart from me,.... A man of a froward heart, that devises frowardness in his heart, and speaks it out with his mouth; that which is perverse, and contrary to the law of God and Gospel of Christ, to the light of nature and the word of God; contrary to the sentiments of all good men, and repugnant to truth and good manners: such sort of persons are disagreeable companions, and good men would not choose to have anything to do with them; they are hateful to Christ, and shall be bid to depart from him; see Pro 8:13.
I will not know a wicked person: so as to be familiar with him, or show him any respect; have any affection for him, or take any notice of him; such Christ will not know at the great day, Mat 7:23, or "I will not know wickedness" (l), or any wicked work and action, approve of it, love it, delight in it, and do it: the Targum interprets it of the evil concupiscence, corruption of nature, or indwelling sin, which is hated by the believer, Rom 7:15 and is utterly unknown to Christ; he was not conscious of it; he knew no sin, Co2 5:21 original or actual; he had no sin in him, nor was any done by him, or, it may be, mention is made of the morning, because that was the usual time of hearing and judging causes, Jer 21:12, or this may have respect to the spiritual reign of Christ, whose coming will be as the morning; when the Heathens shall perish out of his land, when sinners shall be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked shall be no more, and he will destroy them that destroy the earth, Psa 10:16. The Targum agrees with this,
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"in the world to come, which is like to the light of the morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the earth:''
that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord; from the city of Jerusalem, as the Targum and Kimchi interpret it; and it may be understood of the church of God, in the spiritual reign of Christ, into which shall enter no more the uncircumcised and the unclean; and all that offend and do iniquity shall be gathered out of it, Isa 52:1 or of the New Jerusalem church state, in the personal reign of Christ, into which no wicked doers will be admitted, but will remain for ever without, Rev 21:27.
(l) "malum hominem sive opus", Gejerus, Michaelis.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn v4Depart - Shall be turned out of my court.…
Depart - Shall be turned out of my court. Know - Not own nor countenance.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv4–7Verse 4. A froward heart] Rash and headstrong men…
Verse 4. A froward heart] Rash and headstrong men shall not be employed by me.
I will not know a wicked person.] I will give no countenance to sinners of any kind; and whatever is evil shall be an object of my abhorrence.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn vv5, 7Psa 101:5-6. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour — Such…
Psa 101:5-6. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour — Such as by secret and false informations, and accusations of others, seek to gain my favour, and to advance themselves by the ruin of others; him will I cut off — From my family and court. Him that hath a high look, &c. — Those who think highly of themselves, and look down with contempt upon others, or treat them with insolence; or, whose insatiable covetousness and ambition make them study their own advancement more than the public good; will not I suffer — In my house nor among my servants. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful — I will endeavour to find out, and will favour and encourage, men of truth, justice, and integrity, men of religion and virtue, who will be faithful, first to God, and then to me and to my people; that they may dwell with me — Hebrew, לשׁבת, lashebeth,, to sit, abide, or converse with me, in my house, and counsels, and public administrations. These he would use as his familiars and friends, employ them in the domestic services of his palace, and advance them to public offices and stations in his kingdom. He that walketh in a perfect way — In the way of God’s precepts, which are pure and perfect; he shall serve me — In domestic and public employments.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv4–7A froward heart shall depart from me - The…
A froward heart shall depart from me - The word here rendered froward means perverse, false, deceitful, depraved. See the notes at Psa 18:26. The “idea” here is that of one who is inclined to evil; who has some wrong passion or inclination to indulge; who has an obstinate and perverse will; who does not listen to reason or the voice of wise persuasion; who will do wrong, despite all the means which may be employed to induce him to do right. The language may either refer to the author of the psalm himself, as regulating his own conduct; or it may refer to those in his employ. In the former sense, it would mean that he would not himself be perverse and froward; in the latter sense, that he would not have such persons in his employ. The connection seems to require that we should understand it in the latter sense, as referring to the class of persons that the psalmist would have about him.
I will not know a wicked person - I will not countenance such a one; I will not recognize such a one among those who are admitted into my house, or own him as my friend; or, I will not have such in my employ. Probably the language embraces both these ideas - as it should in the case of all who are at the head of a family:
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(a) I will not countenance or recognize as among my friends, who are to be admitted to my fireside and family, and who are to be familiar with me and my children, those who are profligate, wicked, and unprincipled, whatever may be their rank, their wealth, their accomplishments, their fascination of manner, or their power of conversation;
(b) I will have in my employ no one who is not honest, temperate, virtuous, pure. The welfare of a family depends more on the former of these things than the latter; no family can be well ordered where both are not found.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv4–74. A froward heart—A heart turned from the right…
4. A froward heart—A heart turned from the right way. Such is never to be trusted.
I will not know a wicked person—That is, not to approve. I will not tolerate a wicked person as an officer of government or a servant of my house. “Froward heart” and “wicked person” form the parallel here. So also “I will not know,” is explained by “shall depart from me,” in the first member.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv4–74. The Psalmist is still speaking of himself. All…
4. The Psalmist is still speaking of himself. All crookedness and perversity shall be banished from his heart, he will not consciously tolerate evil there. Render the second line, Evil I will not know. With 4 a and 2 b cp. Pro_11:20.
froward] Lit. crooked. Cp. Pro_11:20.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv4, 5, 7(4) Froward.—See Note, Psa_18:26.
(4) Froward.—See Note, Psa_18:26.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv4–7A froward heart shall depart from me; i.e. I…
A froward heart shall depart from me; i.e. I will put away from me all perversity of heart; I will root it out and rid myself of it. I will not know a wicked person. This is a possible meaning, but it is better to translate, with our Revisers, "I will know no evil thing. " The "principles of private conduct" may be summed up under the four heads of
(1) devotion;
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(2) endeavour after perfectness;
(3) avoidance of evil;
(4) hatred of it.
The feeling of pious souls concerning self-will.
"A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person." The idea in the word "froward" is "twisted,", or "perverse." The idea in the word "wicked" is "wilful," self-willed," "lawlessness." "What David, therefore, disclaims is the reckless self-will, acknowledging no law of right, which is the temptation of despotic royalty, and was hereafter the secret of his own great sin.
I PIOUS SOULS SEE SELF-WILL AS THE ROOT OF SIN. Take man as the creature of God. Manifestly he is dependent on God. He has no independent rights, and no independent will. He has a free will within the necessary limits of the creature, but as that free will finds exercise, it can get no better standard than the sovereign and perfect will of the Creator. The supreme triumph of man"s free will is his full, loving, hearty acceptance of the Divine will. Adam sinned when he put his self-will in opposition to God"s will. Describe how you may the various forms that human iniquity can take, (Gal_5:19-21) the informing spirit of them all is self-pleasing, self-will. Therefore pious souls see clearly that their witness and work is not the mere cleansing of conduct, but the rooting out of the very fibres of self-will, which thread their souls as couch grass threads the fields, or cancers thread the body. Parents must deal with self-will in their children; kings must deal With self-will in their officials; Christians must deal with self-will in themselves and in the world.
II PIOUS SOULS SEE SELF-WILL AS THE ONE THING TO RESIST. Many may be occupied with special forms of temptation, and with what they discover to be their "easily besetting sins." So they are occupied with the expressions of things rather than with the causes. Illustrate from the various treatment of skin diseases. That treatment alone is hopeful which deals with the fountain of mischief. But the psalmist is dealing with self-will in others rather than in himself. There is a self-reliance which is good, if kept within due bounds. It is the spring of enterprise; it is the spirit of the man who conquers circumstance. But it may easily become masterfulness, tyranny, pursuit of ends irrespective of means, and then pious souls feel repugnance, and may rightly show repugnance. The self-willed man is not a God-fearing man. R.T.
"Privily slandereth his neigbbour.
Modern law cannot reach the slanderer unless his slander has produced pecuniary loss to him whom he has slandered. Eastern kings judged on principles of equity, and not according to written rules or established precedents, so they could punish all slanderers. To a king the term includes the jealous informer who tries to breed suspicion, and the sycophant who flatters the king, and speaks evil of others in order to obtain place and favour.
I THE SLANDERER IS A MISCHIEF MAKER. HIS interest is taken not by anything good, but by something evil. Every true and good man covers over, hides, smothers down, the evil, because it is like fire let it spread, and it will do a world of mischief. The slanderer fixes on the tiny spark of evil, fans it until it flares, and consumes reputations and ruins lives. Gossip is the slanderer"s weapon. Malice is his inspiration. Self-conceit is his guide. Often pure devilry makes a man start the evil suspicion which makes the mischief of broken hearts and untold misery. It is no excuse for the slanderer, when made to face the consequences of his slander, to say, "I did not mean it." As mischief makers, gossiping women are worse than men.
II THE SLANDERER IS A THIEF. He does not steal men"s goods; he steals what is of far more value to man than what he has he steals his reputation. Estimate the difficulty every man finds in building up a character. It may fall, like a house of cards, before the suspicion started by the slanderer; that suspicion may stick to a man for life, and he may find it impossible to recover his place. The robbery of the slanderer is oftentimes irremediable.
III THE SLANDERER IS A DETERIORATOR OF HIMSELF. The most serious injury a man can do to his own moral nature is to give expression to the suspicious, or malicious, temper. If a good man or woman ever find themselves betrayed into becoming the originators of a slander, they feel the bitterest regrets and most searching humiliations. The had man who finds he has slandered, and will be humbled by no regrets, belongs to the devil, and will have to find his home with him. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon1885 · Public DomainOn vv4–7Ver. 4. A froward heart shall depart from me.…
Ver. 4. A froward heart shall depart from me. He refers both to himself and to those round about him; he would neither be crooked in heart himself, nor employ persons of evil character in his house; if he found such in his court he would chase them away. He who begins with his own heart begins at the fountain head, and is not likely to tolerate evil compamons. We cannot turn out of our family all whose hearts are evil, but we can keep them out of our confidence, and let them see that we do not approve of their ways.
I will not know a wicked person. He shall not be my intimate, my bosom friend. I must know him as a man or I could not discern his character, but if I know him to be wicked, I will not know him any further, and with his evil I will have no communion. "To know" in Scripture means more than mere perception, it includes fellowship, and in that sense it is here used. Princes must disown those who disown righteousness; if they know the wicked they will soon be known as wicked themselves.
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Ver. 4. A froward heart. The original sense of vqe is torsit, contorsit, to twist together, and denotes, when applied to men, persons of a perverse, subtle disposition, that can twist and twine themselves into all manner of shapes, and who have no truth and honour to be depended on. Samuel Chandler.
Ver. 4. A froward heart. By which I understand "from-wardness" giving way to sudden impulses of anger, or quick conception, and casting it forth in words or deeds of impetuous violence. Thomas Chalmers.
Ver. 4. The need of extreme care in the choice of our intimates.
Psalms 101:5*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn vv5–7Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour.
Psa_101:5
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour.
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Sins of the tongue
Mr. Spurgeon used to say that if all mens sins were divided into two bundles, halt of them would be sins of the tongue. And if any one thinks that is a preachers exaggeration, let him read what is written in the Book of Proverbs and the Psalms on the matter, and he will find that the preacher has good authority for his strong words. The sins of the tongue, who can number them? The mischief of the tale-bearer, who can measure it? When St. Paul commands aged women that they be not slanderers, the word he uses means, literally, devils; it is the word which has given us our adjective diabolical; and verily there is no temper that is so wholly un-Christian and anti-Christian, that so well deserves the ugly name of devilish, as the temper of the slanderer and the back-biter. The Apostle James is, if possible, more emphatic still: If any man thinketh himself to be religious, he says, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this mans religion is vain. But on the other hand, If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. It is said that St. Augustine had engraved upon his table these words: There is no place at this table for any one who loves scandal. Shall not we make a like resolve, speak no slander--no, nor listen to it? For, if for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account in the day of judgment, where shall the slanderer and the back-biter appear? (George Jackson, M.A.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On vv4, 7to evil
to evil
"to anything that is evil"
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a proud demeanor and an arrogant attitude
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize how prideful such people are. (See: Doublet)
a proud demeanor
"a proud outward appearance."" This refers to a person being so proud that anyone who looks at him can see how proud he is.
I will look to the faithful of the land to sit at my side
This means that David would allow those people to be around him and live with him. AT: "I will allow the faithful of the land to live with me" (See: Idiom)
the faithful
This refers to the people who are faithful to God. AT: "the faithful people" (See: Nominal Adjectives)
walk in the way of integrity
Here David speaks about "living" as if it were "walking." AT: "live in a way that is honest and right" or "live lives full of integrity" (See: Metaphor)
GEBible — Godless Engineer's Bible App
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv4–7 4 The perverse heart shall depart from me Some…
4 The perverse heart shall depart from me Some by perverse heart understand perfidious men; but this I reject as a sense too forced, and it is moreover inconsistent with the context. As David has added in the second clause by way of exposition, I will not know evil, he doubtless in the first protests that he will be free from all perfidiousness and wickedness. The amount is, that he will do his endeavor to keep himself from all wrong-doing, and that he will not even know what it is to do wrong to his neighbors.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv5–6 In promising to punish these vices, which are most…
In promising to punish these vices, which are most pernicious in them that are about Kings, he declareth that he will punish all.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv4–7 Psa 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me:…
Psa 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked [person].
Ver. 4. A froward heart shall depart from me] i.e. Say some, I will endeavour to put off the old man with the lusts thereof, Eph 4:22, the old crooked frame shall be dissolved, and a better erected. I will not know evil, that is, regard, or allow it, Psa 1:6. Others understand the text of rotten hearted and wicked counsellors, whom David would abhor and abandon.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv4–7 A froward heart; a man of a corrupt mind…
A froward heart; a man of a corrupt mind and wicked life, such as other princes choose and prefer, as being suitable to themselves, and to their wicked designs.
Shall depart from me; shall be turned out of my court, lest they should tempt me, or infect the rest of my family, or be injurious or scandalous to my people. I will not know, i.e. not own nor countenance.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv4–7 A froward heart shall depart from me,.... A man…
A froward heart shall depart from me,.... A man of a froward heart, that devises frowardness in his heart, and speaks it out with his mouth; that which is perverse, and contrary to the law of God and Gospel of Christ, to the light of nature and the word of God; contrary to the sentiments of all good men, and repugnant to truth and good manners: such sort of persons are disagreeable companions, and good men would not choose to have anything to do with them; they are hateful to Christ, and shall be bid to depart from him; see Pro 8:13.
I will not know a wicked person: so as to be familiar with him, or show him any respect; have any affection for him, or take any notice of him; such Christ will not know at the great day, Mat 7:23, or "I will not know wickedness" (l), or any wicked work and action, approve of it, love it, delight in it, and do it: the Targum interprets it of the evil concupiscence, corruption of nature, or indwelling sin, which is hated by the believer, Rom 7:15 and is utterly unknown to Christ; he was not conscious of it; he knew no sin, Co2 5:21 original or actual; he had no sin in him, nor was any done by him, or, it may be, mention is made of the morning, because that was the usual time of hearing and judging causes, Jer 21:12, or this may have respect to the spiritual reign of Christ, whose coming will be as the morning; when the Heathens shall perish out of his land, when sinners shall be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked shall be no more, and he will destroy them that destroy the earth, Psa 10:16. The Targum agrees with this,
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"in the world to come, which is like to the light of the morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the earth:''
that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord; from the city of Jerusalem, as the Targum and Kimchi interpret it; and it may be understood of the church of God, in the spiritual reign of Christ, into which shall enter no more the uncircumcised and the unclean; and all that offend and do iniquity shall be gathered out of it, Isa 52:1 or of the New Jerusalem church state, in the personal reign of Christ, into which no wicked doers will be admitted, but will remain for ever without, Rev 21:27.
(l) "malum hominem sive opus", Gejerus, Michaelis.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v4 Depart - Shall be turned out of my court.…
Depart - Shall be turned out of my court. Know - Not own nor countenance.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv4–7 Verse 4. A froward heart] Rash and headstrong men…
Verse 4. A froward heart] Rash and headstrong men shall not be employed by me.
I will not know a wicked person.] I will give no countenance to sinners of any kind; and whatever is evil shall be an object of my abhorrence.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv5, 7 Psa 101:5-6. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour — Such…
Psa 101:5-6. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour — Such as by secret and false informations, and accusations of others, seek to gain my favour, and to advance themselves by the ruin of others; him will I cut off — From my family and court. Him that hath a high look, &c. — Those who think highly of themselves, and look down with contempt upon others, or treat them with insolence; or, whose insatiable covetousness and ambition make them study their own advancement more than the public good; will not I suffer — In my house nor among my servants. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful — I will endeavour to find out, and will favour and encourage, men of truth, justice, and integrity, men of religion and virtue, who will be faithful, first to God, and then to me and to my people; that they may dwell with me — Hebrew, לשׁבת, lashebeth,, to sit, abide, or converse with me, in my house, and counsels, and public administrations. These he would use as his familiars and friends, employ them in the domestic services of his palace, and advance them to public offices and stations in his kingdom. He that walketh in a perfect way — In the way of God’s precepts, which are pure and perfect; he shall serve me — In domestic and public employments.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv4–7 A froward heart shall depart from me - The…
A froward heart shall depart from me - The word here rendered froward means perverse, false, deceitful, depraved. See the notes at Psa 18:26. The “idea” here is that of one who is inclined to evil; who has some wrong passion or inclination to indulge; who has an obstinate and perverse will; who does not listen to reason or the voice of wise persuasion; who will do wrong, despite all the means which may be employed to induce him to do right. The language may either refer to the author of the psalm himself, as regulating his own conduct; or it may refer to those in his employ. In the former sense, it would mean that he would not himself be perverse and froward; in the latter sense, that he would not have such persons in his employ. The connection seems to require that we should understand it in the latter sense, as referring to the class of persons that the psalmist would have about him.
I will not know a wicked person - I will not countenance such a one; I will not recognize such a one among those who are admitted into my house, or own him as my friend; or, I will not have such in my employ. Probably the language embraces both these ideas - as it should in the case of all who are at the head of a family:
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(a) I will not countenance or recognize as among my friends, who are to be admitted to my fireside and family, and who are to be familiar with me and my children, those who are profligate, wicked, and unprincipled, whatever may be their rank, their wealth, their accomplishments, their fascination of manner, or their power of conversation;
(b) I will have in my employ no one who is not honest, temperate, virtuous, pure. The welfare of a family depends more on the former of these things than the latter; no family can be well ordered where both are not found.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv4–7 4. A froward heart—A heart turned from the right…
4. A froward heart—A heart turned from the right way. Such is never to be trusted.
I will not know a wicked person—That is, not to approve. I will not tolerate a wicked person as an officer of government or a servant of my house. “Froward heart” and “wicked person” form the parallel here. So also “I will not know,” is explained by “shall depart from me,” in the first member.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–7 4. The Psalmist is still speaking of himself. All…
4. The Psalmist is still speaking of himself. All crookedness and perversity shall be banished from his heart, he will not consciously tolerate evil there. Render the second line, Evil I will not know. With 4 a and 2 b cp. Pro_11:20.
froward] Lit. crooked. Cp. Pro_11:20.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 7 (4) Froward.—See Note, Psa_18:26.
(4) Froward.—See Note, Psa_18:26.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv4–7 A froward heart shall depart from me; i.e. I…
A froward heart shall depart from me; i.e. I will put away from me all perversity of heart; I will root it out and rid myself of it. I will not know a wicked person. This is a possible meaning, but it is better to translate, with our Revisers, "I will know no evil thing. " The "principles of private conduct" may be summed up under the four heads of
(1) devotion;
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(2) endeavour after perfectness;
(3) avoidance of evil;
(4) hatred of it.
The feeling of pious souls concerning self-will.
"A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person." The idea in the word "froward" is "twisted,", or "perverse." The idea in the word "wicked" is "wilful," self-willed," "lawlessness." "What David, therefore, disclaims is the reckless self-will, acknowledging no law of right, which is the temptation of despotic royalty, and was hereafter the secret of his own great sin.
I PIOUS SOULS SEE SELF-WILL AS THE ROOT OF SIN. Take man as the creature of God. Manifestly he is dependent on God. He has no independent rights, and no independent will. He has a free will within the necessary limits of the creature, but as that free will finds exercise, it can get no better standard than the sovereign and perfect will of the Creator. The supreme triumph of man"s free will is his full, loving, hearty acceptance of the Divine will. Adam sinned when he put his self-will in opposition to God"s will. Describe how you may the various forms that human iniquity can take, (Gal_5:19-21) the informing spirit of them all is self-pleasing, self-will. Therefore pious souls see clearly that their witness and work is not the mere cleansing of conduct, but the rooting out of the very fibres of self-will, which thread their souls as couch grass threads the fields, or cancers thread the body. Parents must deal with self-will in their children; kings must deal With self-will in their officials; Christians must deal with self-will in themselves and in the world.
II PIOUS SOULS SEE SELF-WILL AS THE ONE THING TO RESIST. Many may be occupied with special forms of temptation, and with what they discover to be their "easily besetting sins." So they are occupied with the expressions of things rather than with the causes. Illustrate from the various treatment of skin diseases. That treatment alone is hopeful which deals with the fountain of mischief. But the psalmist is dealing with self-will in others rather than in himself. There is a self-reliance which is good, if kept within due bounds. It is the spring of enterprise; it is the spirit of the man who conquers circumstance. But it may easily become masterfulness, tyranny, pursuit of ends irrespective of means, and then pious souls feel repugnance, and may rightly show repugnance. The self-willed man is not a God-fearing man. R.T.
"Privily slandereth his neigbbour.
Modern law cannot reach the slanderer unless his slander has produced pecuniary loss to him whom he has slandered. Eastern kings judged on principles of equity, and not according to written rules or established precedents, so they could punish all slanderers. To a king the term includes the jealous informer who tries to breed suspicion, and the sycophant who flatters the king, and speaks evil of others in order to obtain place and favour.
I THE SLANDERER IS A MISCHIEF MAKER. HIS interest is taken not by anything good, but by something evil. Every true and good man covers over, hides, smothers down, the evil, because it is like fire let it spread, and it will do a world of mischief. The slanderer fixes on the tiny spark of evil, fans it until it flares, and consumes reputations and ruins lives. Gossip is the slanderer"s weapon. Malice is his inspiration. Self-conceit is his guide. Often pure devilry makes a man start the evil suspicion which makes the mischief of broken hearts and untold misery. It is no excuse for the slanderer, when made to face the consequences of his slander, to say, "I did not mean it." As mischief makers, gossiping women are worse than men.
II THE SLANDERER IS A THIEF. He does not steal men"s goods; he steals what is of far more value to man than what he has he steals his reputation. Estimate the difficulty every man finds in building up a character. It may fall, like a house of cards, before the suspicion started by the slanderer; that suspicion may stick to a man for life, and he may find it impossible to recover his place. The robbery of the slanderer is oftentimes irremediable.
III THE SLANDERER IS A DETERIORATOR OF HIMSELF. The most serious injury a man can do to his own moral nature is to give expression to the suspicious, or malicious, temper. If a good man or woman ever find themselves betrayed into becoming the originators of a slander, they feel the bitterest regrets and most searching humiliations. The had man who finds he has slandered, and will be humbled by no regrets, belongs to the devil, and will have to find his home with him. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon 1885 · Public Domain On vv4–7 Ver. 4. A froward heart shall depart from me.…
Ver. 4. A froward heart shall depart from me. He refers both to himself and to those round about him; he would neither be crooked in heart himself, nor employ persons of evil character in his house; if he found such in his court he would chase them away. He who begins with his own heart begins at the fountain head, and is not likely to tolerate evil compamons. We cannot turn out of our family all whose hearts are evil, but we can keep them out of our confidence, and let them see that we do not approve of their ways.
I will not know a wicked person. He shall not be my intimate, my bosom friend. I must know him as a man or I could not discern his character, but if I know him to be wicked, I will not know him any further, and with his evil I will have no communion. "To know" in Scripture means more than mere perception, it includes fellowship, and in that sense it is here used. Princes must disown those who disown righteousness; if they know the wicked they will soon be known as wicked themselves.
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Ver. 4. A froward heart. The original sense of vqe is torsit, contorsit, to twist together, and denotes, when applied to men, persons of a perverse, subtle disposition, that can twist and twine themselves into all manner of shapes, and who have no truth and honour to be depended on. Samuel Chandler.
Ver. 4. A froward heart. By which I understand "from-wardness" giving way to sudden impulses of anger, or quick conception, and casting it forth in words or deeds of impetuous violence. Thomas Chalmers.
Ver. 4. The need of extreme care in the choice of our intimates.
Psalms 101:5*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv5–7 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour.
Psa_101:5
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour.
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Sins of the tongue
Mr. Spurgeon used to say that if all mens sins were divided into two bundles, halt of them would be sins of the tongue. And if any one thinks that is a preachers exaggeration, let him read what is written in the Book of Proverbs and the Psalms on the matter, and he will find that the preacher has good authority for his strong words. The sins of the tongue, who can number them? The mischief of the tale-bearer, who can measure it? When St. Paul commands aged women that they be not slanderers, the word he uses means, literally, devils; it is the word which has given us our adjective diabolical; and verily there is no temper that is so wholly un-Christian and anti-Christian, that so well deserves the ugly name of devilish, as the temper of the slanderer and the back-biter. The Apostle James is, if possible, more emphatic still: If any man thinketh himself to be religious, he says, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this mans religion is vain. But on the other hand, If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. It is said that St. Augustine had engraved upon his table these words: There is no place at this table for any one who loves scandal. Shall not we make a like resolve, speak no slander--no, nor listen to it? For, if for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account in the day of judgment, where shall the slanderer and the back-biter appear? (George Jackson, M.A.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv4, 7 to evil
to evil
"to anything that is evil"
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a proud demeanor and an arrogant attitude
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize how prideful such people are. (See: Doublet)
a proud demeanor
"a proud outward appearance."" This refers to a person being so proud that anyone who looks at him can see how proud he is.
I will look to the faithful of the land to sit at my side
This means that David would allow those people to be around him and live with him. AT: "I will allow the faithful of the land to live with me" (See: Idiom)
the faithful
This refers to the people who are faithful to God. AT: "the faithful people" (See: Nominal Adjectives)
walk in the way of integrity
Here David speaks about "living" as if it were "walking." AT: "live in a way that is honest and right" or "live lives full of integrity" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
perverse
slander
neighbor
proud
arrogant
faithful
integrity
servant
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv4, 6, 7 101:4-5 The psalmist hates what the Lord hates (Prov…
101:4-5 The psalmist hates what the Lord hates (Prov 6:16-19; see Pss 5:5; 11:4-5). • Perverse ideas come from corrupt human hearts (cp. 18:26).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.