We were taught growing up
to be careful of the friends we keep. As much as we would like to say otherwise, people influence us. In this psalm, the writer makes it clear that he wants to
keep himself under control and not be closely influenced by people who do
wrong. This is wise advice.
I can hear some people
already getting upset, saying, "We have to win the lost." We do, but
we need to be sure that we are being more of an influence on them than they are
on us. There is a line that we need to be careful with. The line is what
amount of influence is too much for us. There are some who are stronger than
others; one alcoholic might be able to go into a bar to get a friend out, and
another would, on entering, fall into drinking too, just to list one example. The
psalmist here has set his guidelines; what are yours?
Psa 101:1-8
(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.
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