Psalm 101:3
New International Version
I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.

New Living Translation
I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Berean Literal Bible
I do not set before my eyes an object of worthlessness; I have hated the work of those turning aside—it shall not cling to me!

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

New King James Version
I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.

New American Standard Bible
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.

NASB 1995
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me.

NASB 1977
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me.

Legacy Standard Bible
I will set no vile thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.

Amplified Bible
I will set no worthless or wicked thing before my eyes. I hate the practice of those who fall away [from the right path]; It will not grasp hold of me.

Berean Annotated Bible
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Christian Standard Bible
I will not let anything worthless guide me. I hate the practice of transgression; it will not cling to me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will not set anything worthless before my eyes. I hate the practice of transgression; it will not cling to me.

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

Contemporary English Version
I refuse to be corrupt or to take part in anything crooked,

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will not put anything wicked in front of my eyes. I hate what unfaithful people do. I want no part of it.

Good News Translation
and will never tolerate evil. I hate the actions of those who turn away from God; I will have nothing to do with them.

International Standard Version
I will not even think about doing anything lawless; I hate to do evil deeds; I will have none of it.

NET Bible
I will not even consider doing what is dishonest. I hate doing evil; I will have no part of it.

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

Webster's Bible Translation
I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I do not set a worthless thing before my eyes, "" I have hated the work of those turning aside, "" It does not adhere to me.

Berean Literal Bible
I do not set before my eyes an object of worthlessness; I have hated the work of those turning aside—it shall not cling to me!

Young's Literal Translation
I set not before mine eyes a worthless thing, The work of those turning aside I have hated, It adhereth not to me.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will not set a word of Belial before mine eyes: I hated him doing transgressions; he shall not cleave to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I did not set before my eyes any unjust thing: I hated the workers of iniquities.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will not display any unjust thing before my eyes. I have hated those carrying out betrayals.

New American Bible
I do not allow into my presence anything base. I hate wrongdoing; I will have no part of it.

New Revised Standard Version
I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes; I hate the doers of evil, they shall not come near to me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have set no evil account before my eyes. I have hated him who does evil, neither will he cling to me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I will set no base thing before mine eyes; I hate the doing of things crooked; it shall not cleave unto me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I have not set before mine eyes any unlawful ting; I have hated transgressors.

Additional Translations ...



Context
I will Set No Worthless Thing Before My Eyes
2I will ponder the way that is blameless—when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart. 3I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. 4A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil.…

Cross References
no worthless thing before my eyes.

Psalm 119:37
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.

Isaiah 33:15
He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil—

Job 31:1
“I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?
I hate the work of those who fall away;

Proverbs 2:12-15
to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity, / from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, / from those who enjoy doing evil and rejoice in the twistedness of evil, …

Psalm 26:5
I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.

Amos 5:15
Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
it shall not cling to me.

Deuteronomy 13:17
Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers,

Numbers 16:26
And he warned the congregation, “Move away now from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.”

Isaiah 52:11
Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Ephesians 5:11-12
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.


Treasury of Scripture

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

set

Psalm 18:20-23
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me…

Psalm 26:4,5
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers…

Psalm 39:1
To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

wicked thing.

1 Kings 21:13
And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

I hate

Psalm 97:10
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Romans 12:9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

them

Psalm 14:3
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalm 36:3
The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

it shall not

Deuteronomy 13:17
And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

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Psalm 101
1. David makes a vow and profession of godliness.












I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.

As king, David commits himself to reject evil, idolatry, and corrupt influences rather than allowing them to shape his desires or conduct. He recognizes that what he willingly embraces can direct the course of his life.

Psa 119:37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me…
Isa 33:15 He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity,…
Job 31:1 I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze…

I hate the work of those who fall away;

He rejects the deeds of those who abandon God’s ways, especially the unfaithfulness that had repeatedly drawn Israel toward pagan practices and injustice. His opposition is directed toward rebellion against God, not personal malice.

Pro 2:12-15 to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man…
Psa 26:5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit…
Amo 5:15 Hate evil and love good; establish justice…

it shall not cling to me.

David resolves that such corruption will find no place in his household, rule, or personal life. He will not permit the sinful patterns of others to become attached to his character or leadership.

Deu 13:17 Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands,…
Num 16:26 And he warned the congregation, “Move away now…
Isa 52:11 Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing;…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 101, David is expressing his commitment to personal holiness and integrity as a leader.

2. Jerusalem
As the city of David, Jerusalem represents the center of worship and governance, where David's commitment to righteousness would have significant impact.

3. The Wicked
Those who "fall away" or engage in worthless deeds, representing the moral and spiritual challenges David faces.
Teaching Points
Guarding Our Eyes
As believers, we must be vigilant about what we allow into our minds through our eyes. This includes media, entertainment, and other influences that can lead us away from God.

Rejecting Worthlessness
We are called to discern and reject anything that is spiritually worthless or leads us away from God's truth. This requires active decision-making and commitment.

Hating Sin, Not Sinners
David's hatred is directed towards the "work" of those who fall away, not the individuals themselves. We must learn to separate sin from the sinner, loving people while rejecting sinful actions.

Personal Integrity
Like David, we should strive for personal integrity, ensuring that our private lives reflect our public declarations of faith.

Influence of Leadership
David's commitment as a leader serves as a model for how our personal holiness can influence those around us, especially in positions of leadership.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 101:3?

2. How can we avoid setting "worthless things" before our eyes today?

3. What does Psalm 101:3 teach about guarding our hearts and minds?

4. How does Psalm 101:3 connect with Philippians 4:8 on pure thoughts?

5. In what ways can we reject "the deeds of faithless men"?

6. How can Psalm 101:3 guide our media and entertainment choices?

7. How does Psalm 101:3 guide Christians in choosing entertainment and media today?

8. What does Psalm 101:3 reveal about the nature of sin and temptation?

9. How can Psalm 101:3 be applied to modern social media use?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 101?


(3) I will set no. . . . . --Mark the wisdom of the

resolve in a despotic monarch, who has only to speak to effect whatever he has looked on with desire.

Wicked thing.--Thing (or, word) of Belial. (See Note on Psalm 41:8.)

I hate the work of them that turn aside.--Or, I hate the doing of false things, according as we take the word in the concrete or abstract.

It shall not cleave to me.--Such conduct shall not be mine.

Verse 3. - I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes; or, no base thing (Revised Version); "no villainous thing" (Cheyne, Kay); comp. Deuteronomy 15:9. I will set before me nothing of this kind, "as an object either of imitation or of attainment." I hate the work of them that turn aside; literally, the doing of acts that swerve; i.e. "that depart from the right way." It shall not cleave to me. If such a thing "seized on him unawares, he would shake it off as a thing accursed" (Kay); comp. Deuteronomy 13:17.

Psalm 101:3 charts a threefold strategy for holy living: pre-decide to shut out worthless influences, actively oppose works that defy God, and refuse any sinful attachment room to stick. Adopt David’s resolve, lean on Christ’s strength, and let nothing unworthy dim your vision of the Lord.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

set
אָשִׁ֨ית ׀ (’ā·šîṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7896: To put, set

no
דְּֽבַר־ (də·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

worthless thing
בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל (bə·lî·yā·‘al)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1100: Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness

before
לְנֶ֥גֶד (lə·ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition-l
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

my eyes.
עֵינַ֗י (‘ê·nay)
Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

I hate
שָׂנֵ֑אתִי (śā·nê·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8130: To hate

the work
עֲשֹֽׂה־ (‘ă·śōh-)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

of those who fall away;
סֵטִ֥ים (sê·ṭîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7750: To detrude, become derelict

it shall not
לֹ֖א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

cling to me.
יִדְבַּ֣ק (yiḏ·baq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit


Additonal Resources
Psalm 101:3 Blue Letter Bible
Psalm 101:3 Bible Gateway
Psalm 101:3 Bible.com

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Psalm 101:3 Study Bible
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OT Poetry: Psalm 101:3 I will set no vile thing before (Psalm Ps Psa.)

Psalm 101:2
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