Psalms 101:3

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not stick to me.

American King James Version (AKJV)

I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not stick to me.

American Standard Version (ASV)

I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; It shall not cleave unto me.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

I will not put any evil thing before my eyes; I am against all turning to one side; I will not have it near me.

Webster's Revision

I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

World English Bible

I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me.

English Revised Version (ERV)

I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave unto me.

Clarke's Psalms 101:3 Bible Commentary

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - I will undertake no unjust wars; will enter into no sinful alliances; will not oppress my subjects by excessive taxation, to support extravagance in my court. I will not look favourably on things or words of Belial. What is good for nothing or evil in its operation, what is wicked in its principle, and what would lead me away from righteousness and truth, I will never set before my eyes.

Them that turn aside - I shall particularly abominate the conduct of those who apostatize from the true religion, and those who deny its Divine authority, and who live without having their conduct governed by its influence, such shall never he put in a place of political trust or confidence by me.

Barnes's Psalms 101:3 Bible Commentary

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - That is, I will propose no wicked thing to be done; I will have no such object in view; I will employ no one to do that which is wrong. The margin, as the Hebrew, is, "thing of Belial." See the notes at Psalm 41:8. It here means that which is worthless, bad, wicked. He would have no wicked aim; he would not look upon a wicked thing for a moment, or with the least favor.

I hate the work of them that turn aside - All their doings, motives, plans. The word rendered "turn aside" means to turn out of the way; out of the right path: Wanderers - transgressors - those who leave the path of truth and honesty.

It shall not cleave to me - I will have nothing to do with it. It shall not he allowed to attach itself to me. A wicked plan or purpose is thus represented as having a tendency to fasten itself on a man, or to "stick to him" - as pitch, or wax, as a "burn" does.