Psalm 101:7 NKJV
“He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house.” He had power to choose his courtiers, and he meant to exercise it. Deceit among most orientals is reckoned to be a virtue, and is only censured when it is not sufficiently cunning, and therefore comes to be found out; it was, therefore, all the more remarkable that David should have so determinedly set his face against it. He could not tell what a deceitful man might be doing, what plots he might be contriving, what mischief he might be brewing, and therefore he resolved that he would at any rate keep him out of his house, that his palace might not become a den of villainy. Cheats in the market are bad enough, but deceivers at our own table we cannot bear.
“He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.” He would not have a liar within sight or hearing; lie loathed the mention of him. Grace makes men truthful, and creates in them an utter horror of everything approaching to falsehood. If David would not have a liar in his sight, much less will the Lord; neither he that loves nor he who makes a lie shall be admitted into heaven. Liars are obnoxious enough on earth; the saints shall not be worried with them in another world. (Spurgeon)
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He that worketh deceit – The man who is dishonest – who is full of tricks, false pretenses, and devices – who cannot be confided in as straight-forward and sincere – one whose word cannot be relied on – one whose course is subterranean or serpentine.
Shall not dwell within my house – Shall neither be employed in my service nor be admitted as a guest and companion. I will not, in any way, patronize or countenance such a person.
He that telleth lies – In any way: by stating what is false; by promising what is not performed; by deceiving me in his professions. I will seek only those who love and speak the truth.
Shall not tarry in my sight – Margin, “shall not be established.” The idea is that of being confirmed or established. The sense here seems to be, that though such a person should gain admittance to his house on any pretense or profession, he should not obtain a permanent residence there. As soon as his real character was known, he would be dismissed or discharged. The psalmist says that he would do nothing to show him countenance; he would not give occasion to have it represented that he favored liars or dishonest persons, or that such persons might find employment with him. As a universal rule, no man should have such plans to accomplish in his family, or in his business transactions, that he cannot employ, in accomplishing those things, persons who are perfectly honest; or, in other words, no man should engage in any undertaking, or pursue any kind of business, that would require people of loose principles – the cunning, the crafty, the deceitful, the dishonest – to carry it out. Yet there are many such employments in the world, and there are men suited for such employments, and who are willing to engage in such work. It may be a good test for a man in regard to the business in which he is engaged, to ask himself what kind of agents, clerks, or servants, it will be necessary for him to employ in carrying it out. If the business is such as to make it necessary to employ unprincipled people – people who have easy consciences – people who will violate the sabbath – men who have more skill than honesty – more cunning than principle – that very fact should determine him at once in regard to the propriety of the business. (Barnes)
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He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house,…. Flatterers, sycophants, tricking and fraudulent persons, who seek to supplant others, and get into their places; these should lose the favor they had when detected. So hypocritical persons, that have only a form of godliness, a mask of religion, and false teachers that lie in wait to deceive; and antichrist, whose coming was with all deceivableness of unrighteousness; who has seduced men by his miracles, doctrines, and sorceries; these shall have no place, neither in Christ’s house below nor above. The Targum is, “he that works deceit shall not dwell in the midst of the house of my sanctuary:”
he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight; or, “he shall not be established” before mine eyes; he shall not continue in his post and place, in his office and station; he shall soon be dismissed from it; lying is very abominable to God, very prejudicial to men, and hated by Christ, who is truth itself. All sorts of lies, and liars are so, religious and doctrinal ones; such who speak lies in hypocrisy, as the emissaries of Rome; all that make an abomination, or a lie, will have no place with Christ in the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:27. (Gill)
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Geneva Bible 1560
Psalms 101:7
7 There shal no deceitful person dwell within mine house: he that telleth lies, shal not remain in my sight.
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“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV
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