Declare Your Anthem
Psalm 101
Introduction
Every person, whether knowingly or unknowingly, has a theme song. It’s the principle by which life is lived. It’s our values. It’s what is really important to us. It defines which battles we fight and which ones we don’t. Having the right song and living it out will always determine our destiny.
In Psalm 101, the psalmist David sang out the THEME SONG of his life. It would prove to stand as the foundational anthem throughout his life and kingdom. While his anthem is important to understand, the real question is:
What’s your anthem for life?
Look with me at Psalm 101. Here David says,
1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. 2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. 3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. 4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil. 5 Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate. 6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me. 7 No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. 8 Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord.
What are you resolved to stand for in life? David’s psalm outlines key commitments that can shape our lives too.
The First Verse of His Anthem:
1. I WILL SING OUT FOR GOD! (vv. 1-2)
Verse 1 – “I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.”
David begins with a declaration to sing of God’s steadfast love and justice. This shows that his life is centered on recognizing and proclaiming the attributes of God. Steadfast love (or mercy) and justice are foundational qualities of God that David commits to celebrating through song and worship.
- Application: Our lives should be a reflection of God’s love and justice. How often do we take time to praise God for His mercies and righteousness? In good times and bad, let our response be worship and acknowledgment of His sovereignty.
Verse 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.”
David doesn’t stop at singing; he moves to reflection and action. To ponder the way that is blameless means to consider carefully how to live a life that is pure and upright. David desires God’s presence and commits to walking with integrity in his own home, where true character is often most clearly seen.
- Application: Integrity begins at home. We must aim to live blamelessly not just in public but in the privacy of our homes. Our worship should be backed by a life of integrity and righteousness.
The Second Verse of David’s Anthem:
2. I WILL LIVE A CLEAN LIFE FOR GOD! (vv. 2-4)
David’s commitment to a blameless heart leads to a blameless life.
Verse 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.”
David makes a strong resolution to avoid anything that is worthless or evil. He acknowledges the impact of what he sees and associates with, understanding that these can influence his heart and actions.
- Application: We must guard our eyes and hearts against anything that could lead us astray. This means being mindful of what we watch, read, and engage with. We should hate sin and refuse to let it take root in our lives.
Verse 4 – “A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.”
David resolves to distance himself from a perverse heart and evil. He is determined to keep his heart pure and his mind free from knowledge of evil practices.
- Application: Maintaining a clean life for God involves a proactive effort to reject perversion and evil. We should strive to fill our minds and hearts with what is good, pure, and holy, ensuring our inner life reflects our outward commitments.
The Third Verse of His Anthem:
3. I WILL DAILY COMMIT MYSELF TO THE CAUSE OF GOD! (vv. 5-8)
David’s anthem includes a daily commitment to uphold God’s cause, both personally and within his kingdom.
Verse 5 – “Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”
David is committed to eradicating slander and pride from his life and kingdom. He recognizes the destructive power of these sins and refuses to tolerate them.
- Application: We should take a firm stand against slander and pride, both in ourselves and in our communities. Encouraging humility and truth is essential for living out God’s cause.
Verse 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.”
David values and supports the faithful. He surrounds himself with those who are committed to living blamelessly, understanding the importance of community in upholding God’s standards.
- Application: Surround yourself with godly influences. Seek fellowship with those who encourage and challenge you to live a life pleasing to God. Together, you can uphold and advance His cause.
Verses 7-8 – “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.”
David commits to vigilance in maintaining righteousness, both personally and as a leader. He pledges to address wickedness daily, ensuring that his realm remains a place where God’s standards are upheld.
- Application: Daily commitment to God’s cause requires constant vigilance. We must be ready to confront and remove sin from our lives and environments, seeking to create spaces where God’s righteousness reigns.
Conclusion
David’s theme song in Psalm 101 is a powerful declaration of his commitment to God. It challenges us to reflect on our own life anthem. What principles define your life? What values do you hold dear? As you ponder these questions, let David’s resolve inspire you to:
- Sing out for God – Celebrate His love and justice in every aspect of your life.
- Live a clean life for God – Guard your heart and mind, ensuring your actions reflect your faith.
- Daily commit to the cause of God – Be vigilant and proactive in upholding God’s standards.
May your life anthem be one that honors God and leads you to a destiny aligned with His will.
SALVATION PRAYER:
And now, just one more thing: If you’re here this morning, and you’ve listened to everything we’ve said toady — from the worship and testimonies to the message, and through it all, you sense God stirring your heart to trust in Him. To seek Him. To know Him, would you respond by lifting your hand today— to let me know that your want to know Jesus. (Saying, “I want to be saved today?”)
If that’s you, would you be brave enough to slip your hand up and acknowledge that today? As you do, a ministry team member is going to bring you a card (so that you have a tangible way to respond), to God’s prompting in your life today.
Yes, we are so proud of you! In light of your desire to surrender your life to Jesus, would you pray with me? Maybe you’d say something like this:
Heavenly Father, I admit that I am a sinner and I’ve chosen my way over yours too often. But all that changes today. Because, I believe in Your Son, Jesus. I believe that He came from Heaven to earth to pay for my sin. I believe He died on the cross, shed His blood, was put in a grave — and rose again. So, today — I put my faith in Jesus. Forgive me of my sin. Save me and give me new life in you forever. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
If you prayed today and made a decision to follow Jesus — would you let us know? We are so proud of you.This is the greatest decision you’ll ever make.