Psalm 101:2
New International Version
I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.

New Living Translation
I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.

English Standard Version
I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;

Berean Standard Bible
I will ponder the way that is blameless—when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

New American Standard Bible
I will carefully attend to the blameless way. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.

NASB 1995
I will give heed to the blameless way. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.

NASB 1977
I will give heed to the blameless way. When wilt Thou come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
I will consider the way of the blameless. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.

Amplified Bible
I will behave wisely and follow the way of integrity. When will You come to me? I will walk in my house in integrity and with a blameless heart.

Christian Standard Bible
I will pay attention to the way of integrity. When will you come to me? I will live with a heart of integrity in my house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will pay attention to the way of integrity. When will You come to me? I will live with a heart of integrity in my house.

American Standard Version
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way: Oh when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Contemporary English Version
Please help me learn to do the right thing, and I will be honest and fair in my own kingdom.

English Revised Version
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way: Oh when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I want to understand the path to integrity. When will you come to me? I will live in my own home with integrity.

Good News Translation
My conduct will be faultless. When will you come to me? I will live a pure life in my house

International Standard Version
I will pay attention to living a life of integrity— when will I attain it? I will live with integrity of heart in my house.

Majority Standard Bible
I will ponder the way that is blameless?when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.

NET Bible
I will walk in the way of integrity. When will you come to me? I will conduct my business with integrity in the midst of my palace.

New Heart English Bible
I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

World English Bible
I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I act wisely in a perfect way, "" When do You come to me? I habitually walk in the integrity of my heart, "" In the midst of my house.

Young's Literal Translation
I act wisely in a perfect way, When dost Thou come in unto me? I walk habitually in the integrity of my heart, In the midst of my house.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will be prudent in a blameless way. When wilt thou come to me? I will go about in integrity of heart in the midst of my house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
and I will understand in the unspotted way, when thou shalt come to me. I walked in the innocence of my heart, in the midst of my house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will have understanding within the immaculate way, when you will draw near to me. I wandered about in the innocence of my heart, in the midst of my house.

New American Bible
I study the way of integrity; when will you come to me? I act with integrity of heart within my household.

New Revised Standard Version
I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have walked in your road without blemish. When will you come to me? I have walked in the perfection of my heart within my house.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I will give heed unto the way of integrity; Oh when wilt Thou come unto me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and I will be wise in a blameless way. When wilt thou come to me? I walked in the innocence of my heart, in the midst of my house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I will Set No Worthless Thing Before My Eyes
1A Psalm of David. I will sing of Your loving devotion and justice; to You, O LORD, I will sing praises. 2I will ponder the way that is blameless— when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart. 3I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.…

Cross References
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Ephesians 5:15-16
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Colossians 1:10
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Philippians 1:27
Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel,

1 Thessalonians 2:12
encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

1 John 2:6
Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.

Titus 2:7-8
In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, / and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Romans 13:13
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Galatians 5:16
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Luke 1:6
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.


Treasury of Scripture

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

behave

Psalm 101:6
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.

Psalm 75:1,2
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare…

Psalm 119:106,115
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments…

o when

Psalm 40:17
But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalm 143:7,8
Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit…

walk

Genesis 18:19
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Deuteronomy 6:7
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

a perfect

1 Kings 9:4
And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

1 Kings 11:4
For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

2 Chronicles 15:17
But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

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Act Behave Blameless Careful Habitually Heart Heed House Integrity Live Midst Perfect Righteousness True. Walk Walking Way Wilt Wisely Within
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Act Behave Blameless Careful Habitually Heart Heed House Integrity Live Midst Perfect Righteousness True. Walk Walking Way Wilt Wisely Within
Psalm 101
1. David makes a vow and profession of godliness.














I will ponder
The phrase "I will ponder" suggests a deliberate and thoughtful consideration. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "שִׂיחַ" (siach), which conveys the idea of meditating or musing deeply. This reflects a commitment to intentional reflection, not just a fleeting thought. In a historical context, this kind of meditation was often done in solitude, away from distractions, allowing for a deeper communion with God. The psalmist's resolve to ponder indicates a proactive approach to spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of setting aside time to reflect on one's life and relationship with God.

the way that is blameless
"The way that is blameless" refers to a path of integrity and righteousness. The Hebrew word "תָּמִים" (tamim) is used here, meaning complete, whole, or without blemish. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where living a blameless life was synonymous with living in accordance with God's laws. Historically, this would have been understood as adhering to the covenantal laws given to Israel. For the psalmist, this is not just about external compliance but an internal commitment to purity and moral uprightness, reflecting a heart fully devoted to God.

When will You come to me?
This phrase expresses a longing for God's presence and guidance. The psalmist's question, "When will You come to me?" reveals a deep desire for divine fellowship and favor. In the Hebrew tradition, God's presence was often associated with blessing and protection. This yearning for God’s nearness underscores the psalmist's recognition that living a blameless life is not possible without divine assistance. It reflects a dependency on God, acknowledging that true righteousness and integrity are gifts from Him.

I will walk
"I will walk" signifies a commitment to live out one's faith actively. The Hebrew verb "הָלַךְ" (halak) is used, which means to go, walk, or conduct oneself. This implies a continuous, daily effort to live according to God's standards. Walking in this context is a metaphor for one's lifestyle and choices. The psalmist's declaration to walk indicates a resolve to align his actions with his meditations and intentions, demonstrating that faith is not just contemplative but also practical and lived out in everyday life.

in my house
The phrase "in my house" highlights the importance of personal and domestic integrity. The home, in ancient Israelite culture, was the center of daily life and a place where one's true character was most evident. By committing to walk blamelessly in his house, the psalmist emphasizes that righteousness begins in the private sphere, where there is no audience but God. This underscores the belief that one's faith should permeate all aspects of life, starting with the most intimate and personal spaces.

with integrity of heart
"With integrity of heart" speaks to the sincerity and purity of one's inner life. The Hebrew word "לֵבָב" (levav) refers to the heart, which in biblical terms is the seat of emotions, thoughts, and will. Integrity of heart means being undivided in one's devotion to God, having a heart that is wholly committed to Him. This phrase calls for authenticity in one's relationship with God, where outward actions are a true reflection of inward purity. It challenges believers to cultivate a heart that is honest and transparent before God, striving for a life that is consistent both inside and out.

(2) Behave myself wisely.--Literally, I will look to a guileless way. The root "to look" is that from which maskil (Psalms 32, title) comes; hence some here see a reference to music, or song. But the Authorised Version is probably right, since the analogy of such words as "provident," "circumspect," shows how the idea of caution and then wisdom arises from that of looking. The English idiom, "look to your ways," illustrates the Hebrew here.

O when wilt thou come unto me?--This clause is so awkward, however translated, that some critics go the length of pronouncing it spurious. In the Old Testament, with the exception of Exodus 20:24, the coming of God to a person is associated with the idea of punishment or inquisition (Psalm 17:3); and to see a reminiscence of 2Samuel 6:9 (" How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?") seems far-fetched. It is better, therefore, to take the verb as the third person feminine instead of second masculine, with "perfect way" as its subject. The only difficulty in the way of this rendering is the interrogative; but, as in Proverbs 23:22, it becomes a simple adverb of time, we may treat it so here: "I will give heed to a guileless way when it comes to me," i.e., whenever a course of action arises, presenting an alternative of a right and wrong, or a better and worse, I will choose the better.

I will walk within my house.--This vow of an Eastern monarch should be read with the thought of the palace of a caliph at Bagdad, or a sultan at Constantinople, before the mind. But it is a reflection of universal application, that piety should begin at home, and religion show itself in the household as much as at church.

Verse 2. - I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way (comp. Psalm 18:22; Isaiah 26:7). The psalmist aspires after "perfectness." Then feeling his inability to walk in the perfect way by his own strength, he cries to God for aid - O when wilt thou come unto me? "Unless," i.e., "thou come unto me, I cannot keep one of these resolutions. O Lord, come quickly." I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. It is not only the "way," or conduct, that requires to be "perfect," but the "heart" also, or the motives from which the conduct springs.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will ponder
אַשְׂכִּ֤ילָה ׀ (’aś·kî·lāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

the way
בְּדֶ֬רֶךְ (bə·ḏe·reḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

that is blameless—
תָּמִ֗ים (tā·mîm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8549: Entire, integrity, truth

when
מָ֭תַי (mā·ṯay)
Interrogative
Strong's 4970: Extent, when

will You come
תָּב֣וֹא (tā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to me?
אֵלָ֑י (’ê·lāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

I will walk
אֶתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ (’eṯ·hal·lêḵ)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in
בְּקֶ֣רֶב (bə·qe·reḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

my house
בֵּיתִֽי׃ (bê·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1004: A house

with integrity
בְּתָם־ (bə·ṯām-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8537: Completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate

of heart.
לְ֝בָבִ֗י (lə·ḇā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart


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OT Poetry: Psalm 101:2 I will be careful to live (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 101:1
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