Psalm 101 has a distinct character. It is mainly a first person declaration by someone in authority to keep to God’s way. I call it the “I will” psalm; I will do this, I won’t do that. Structurally, it is pretty straight-forward; 1:1-2a is an overall statement of purpose, 2b-4 describes attitudes the speaker will adopt, and 5-8 describe the actions the psalmist is committed to.

One can imagine David speaking or singing this psalm as a declaration of what kind of king he will be. Starting with his own heart and moving from there to the whole people and whole land he determines that his reign will be characterized by integrity, fear of God, and faithfulness to God. You could almost compare it to an oath of office for a king or priest. Of course, as soon as we mention David in this regard we also think of ways he did not live up to this oath. Perhaps that is why “mercy” or “steadfast love” are one of the first things he mentions.

David’s failure then points to the way in which Jesus is the ultimate subject of this psalm. While David partially lived up to the intentions outlined here, Jesus is the perfect example of a king that is committed to and lives out integrity. We should mainly think of him as the speaker of the psalm.

Doing that can cause us to reflect on the company he keeps. The psalm indicates that he will only allow faithful people to associate with him and serve in his court. Thankfully, Jesus associated with lowlifes in order to make them highlifes–in order to give them his royal assistance in being faithful. He does indeed cut off the wicked, but he does it by the Spirit in our hearts, cutting away patterns of thinking we call the flesh. He comes into the core of our lives, sets up his rule, and then progressively extends that rule to more and more areas of our lives.

It is out of this work in our hearts that we could then apply this psalm to areas of sovereignty in our own lives. It is a little like Robinson Crusoe on his island first learning to rule himself under God, then his house, then his island, then the subjects that God gave him. Fathers, mothers, bosses, supervisors, home group leaders, business owners, coaches, and teachers would do well to make this declaration of intent in our “rule” of our various areas. Determine to live out spiritual integrity in your heart, on your team, and in all the areas you influence.

Of course we are waiting for the ultimate fulfillment of this sovereignty of Jesus. But now, here and there all over the world little kingdoms are being consolidated and transformed by the Kingdom Rule of Jesus through the power of the Spirit. It is important that we give the world glimpses of this good rule. It is also important to remember that this side of Resurrection they are only glimpses. Creation is waiting for the rule of the sons and daughters of God who are glorious in likeness to Jesus Christ.