The Private Life of a Leader

Psalm 101 is a Royal Psalm of David as he contemplates his office as King and ruler of the land. It's a powerful presentation of personal and private decisions leading to proper execution of his office. This Psalm is very important for us today. Many falsely believe that as long as a Public figure does his job well it doesn't matter what he does behind closed doors. This Psalm begs to differ.

The first stanza is filled with personal standards already set:




Psalm 101:1–4 (ESV) I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music. 2 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; 3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. 4 A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.

He will guard his eyes.
He will protect his associations.
He will not experiment with evil. 

This leader wants to carefully guard his private life and his heart. He guards it because he knows his life flows from his heart.

Stanza two is about who this King will elevate and position:




Psalm 101:5–7 (ESV) Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. 6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. 7 No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.

He wants people of upright character and humility. 
He wants people who are faithful in their lives.
He wants people who pursue personal righteousness.
He wants people who are true and trustworthy.

 Leaders need to protect who they elevate and establish. Many people want to be in charge, not many want to carry out the activities of this list.

 Stanza three is a commitment to justice:




Psalm 101:8 (ESV) Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.

The universal cry of mankind is for justice. This king wants justice in his city and he will work for it every day. 

 What a beautiful Psalm for our leaders to know and follow. 
Personal piety.
Relational integrity.
Social justice.

Jesus has them all.

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