Walking in the Way That Is Blameless — a Reflection on Psalm 101 / 100

King David

Psalm 101 ( Psalm 100 according to the Septuagint, abreviated LXX, accounting of the psalm) is attributed to King David.  As king he uses this psalm to speak of his manner of rule which was his service to God.  Yet, this psalm also applies to all who bear God’s image:  we are all vice-regents, prophets, and priests.

He begins the psalm:  “I will sing of mercy and justice to you I will sing.”  Mercy and justice are the foundation of his reign, and they speak of the foundation of God’s reign over the entirety of creation as well.  One cannot have mercy without justice, and one cannot have justice without mercy.  As image bearers we are also to embody these virtues, but especially mercy.  Our Lord declares this:  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (St Matthew 5: 7).  Additionally, we are to consider the just fate of the unjust, unmerciful servant who would not forgive his fellow servant his small debt,

Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant!  I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me; and should not you had had mercy on your fellow servant?”  And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt.  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart (St Matthew 18: 32 35).

Following upon mercy and faithfulness, St David continues the first verse:  “I will give heed to the way that is blameless.”  A translation from the Greek LXX is a bit more literal:  “I will exhibit understanding of the blameless way of conduct.”  The word blameless (amomo) can also refer to being complete, whole, or perfect — to which our calls us:  “You, therefore, must be perfect (whole, complete), as your heavenly Father is perfect (whole, complete)” (St Matthew 5: 48).

St David expands upon the blameless way of life and what it entails:

I will walk with integrity of heart within my house.  I will not set before my eyes anything that is base.  I hate the works of transgression; it will not cling to me.  Perverseness of heart shall not come near me; I will know nothing of evil (verses 2a – 3).

In verses 5 – 7 St David expands on the judgment and the mercy of his reign.  Regarding judgment he writes,

Him who slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy.  The man of haughty looks and arrogant heart I will not endure” (verse 5).

Regarding mercy he writes in verse 6,

I will look with favor on the faithful of the land, that they may sit together with me; he who walks in the that is blameless shall minister to me.

The Greek of the LXX uses the word leitourgei which here is translated “minister”, but can also refer to religious service, i.e., a liturgy.  For King David, minister is a proper understanding of the word, but for we who are Christians it can refer to our worship of God in our liturgies (whether formal as in the Divine Liturgy, or less formal).  The use of the word Leitourgei calls for, and demands. the bishops, priests, and pastors of the Church to be themselves seeking blamelessness and holiness.

Verse 7 then returns to the subject of judgment:

No man who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no man who utters lies shall continue in my presence.

Psalm 5: 6 also speaks God’s warning to the liar:  “You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men.”  Then Psalm 51 /50: 6 speaks of the blameless way and its truthfulness:  “Behold, you desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.”

This psalm concludes with words of King David’s resolve for judgment and consequent cleansing:

Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evil doers from the city of the Lord.

Also, his conclusion can be understood to refer to the Final Judgment for those who will not labor to walk in the way that is blameless as is laid out for us in this wonderful psalm.  I am reminded of St Paul’s words to the church in Rome:

Do you suppose, O man, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God?  Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience”  Do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance…For he will render to every man according to his works (Romans 2: 3 – 4, 6).

Therefore, let us look to Psalm 101 / 100 for inspiration and guidance, and then truly strive, by faith in our Lord and his power working in us, to walk in the way that is blameless!

In Christ who is the Blameless One,

Fr Irenaeus