Psalm 101:3

Psalm 101:3

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

a. NLT: I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. 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. [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible: I will set no base or wicked thing before my eyes. I hate the work of them who turn aside [from the right path]; it shall not grasp hold of me. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Septuagint: I have not set before mine eyes any unlawful ting; I have hated transgressors. 

f. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: I do not place before my eyes any lawless thing; I despise doing wayward deeds, it does not cling to me. [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ltd.]

1. “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes…”

a. [I will] set [7896 * shiyth][Strong: a primitive root; to place (in a very wide application):--apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, X look, make, mark, put (on), + regard, set, shew, be stayed, X take.]

b. no [Strong: 3808 lo' lo or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

c. wicked [1100 * beliya’al] [Strong: from 1097 and 3276; without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness (often in connection with 376, 802, 1121, etc.):--Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men), wicked.]

1). A very important New Testament verse labels this a personal name of Satan. 

a). 2 Corinthians 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

c. thing [1697 * dabar][Strong: from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, + dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that, X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings, what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.]

d. before [Strong: 5048 neged neh'-ghed from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against, X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side, sight, X to view.]

e. [mine] eyes [5869 * ‘ayin][Strong: a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, + think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, + displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble, knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please, presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, + think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

1). Tehillim, Commentary Taludic/Midrashic/Rabbanic Sources: According to Radak, my eyes means my mind’s eye, i.e., my thoughts and intentions.

2). How powerful is this statement in our present technological age where literally every visual image is at our fingertips. We must, on purpose set no wicked thing before our eyes. This is necessary in our total consecration to God.

a). Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

3). Job made a covenant with his eyes in order not to lust. 

a). Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

4). Our bodily members which include our eyes must be used for righteousness. The same Greek word translated yield in Romans 6:13 is the same Greek word translated “present” in Romans 12:1

a). Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

5). It is our covenant responsibility to control our flesh, to not allow it to sin against God. In light of this exhortation, we can add, we should not set wicked thoughts in our mind, do not set wicked words in our ears.

a). 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.

2. “…I hate the work of them that turn aside…”

 

a. [I] hate [8130 * sane’][Strong: a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.]

b. [the] work [6213 * ‘asah][Strong: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be (warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.]

1). This word could also be used in the plural, to works, industries, accomplishments. Though probably most of the times the word “works” is used in the New Testament it is used in a good sense, the of the word in the verse we are studying is not, therefore the citations from the New Testament will also not be good. 

a). Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

b). Ephesians 5:11, 12 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

c. [of them that] turn aside [Strong: 7750 suwt soot or (by permutation) cuwt {soot}; a primitive root; to detrude, i.e. (intransitively and figuratively) become derelict (wrongly practise; namely, idolatry):--turn aside to.] [AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament: A verb meaning to turn aside; to fall back. I indicates an act of turning aside from the Lord to someone else; an act of unfaithfulness…to fall away or to apostatize (Psalm 101:3).

1). Looking at the verse in light of the Hebrew definition it is saying there are works, wicked things, wickedness that will cause us to turn aside from righteousness.

a). 1 Corinthians 15:33 [NIV] Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.”

2). We are to “shun”, place ourselves at a distance from vain, empty and profane words [profanity], because it will produce and increase ungodliness in our lives. Empty, vain words, profanity will eat like a disease such as gangrene or cancer. It will overtake all is it is allowed to enter and reside. As the Hebrew definitions reveal, it will cause you to “turn aside” to fall into apostasy from the things of God.

a). 2 Timothy 2:16, 17 [Revised Standard Version] Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

2:17 and their talk will eat its way like gangrene. Among them are Hymenae'us and Phile'tus,

3). A powerful warning is given in Proverbs concerning male and female relationships, about people who will lead us astray. What is hardly ever mentioned if ever is that these people were former believers.

a). Proverbs 2:12-19 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 

2:14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 

2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 

2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 

2:18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 

2:19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

4). Another example is the warnings in the New Testament against false teachers. 

a). 2 Peter 2:1, 2  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

5). David also writes that the work of those that draw away from God is coupled with the works of men that leads to the paths of destruction, yet by adhering to God’s word we will avoid it.

a). Psalm 17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

6). In fact Scripture is full of warnings against evil and destruction that if heeded wil lead to a blessed life in Covenant relationship with God.

a). Psalm 19:11 Moreover by them [the law and testimony of the LORD, Psalm 19:7; the statutes and the commandments of the LORD, Psalm 19:8] is thy servant warned: and in keeping them is great reward. 

7). In contrast, the light and truth of God’s word will lead us into the presence of God, to the tabernacle of God .

a). Psalm 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. 

3. “…it shall not cleave to me.”

a. [it shall not] cleave [to me] [1692 * dabaq] [Strong: to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch.]

1). This same Hebrew word is used for the closeness of a husband and wife and also it describes the closeness we are to have with God.

a). Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

b). Deuteronomy 30:15-20 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

30:17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

30:18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

30:20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

2). In a bad sense, this same Hebrew word is included in a warning to the Jews against allowing the ungodliness of idolatry to cleave to them.

a). Deuteronomy 13:12-18  If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,

13:13 Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

13:14 Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;

13:15 Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.

13:16 And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the Lord thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.

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;

13:18 When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord thy God.

3). Coming over to the New Testament, a word that conveys the bad meaning of something cleaving to you would be “bondage”, something that over time overcomes and imprisons someone. 

a). 2 Peter 2:19, 20 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

4). Disobedience that leads to bondage and death or obedience that leads to blessing and life is a spiritual law that applies to the saved or unsaved.

a). Romans 6:16-18 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

5). David goes on to say emphatically “it shall not cleave to me”. It is a choice. For us in the New Covenant, we have the authority and freedom not to allow sin into our lives. Growing up in Christ is a lifelong process that involves removing, by the grace of God things in our lives that displease God. It also involves not allowing things into our lives that we know are wrong, of making the choice that regarding the works of men that cause us to turn away from God, we will not set it before our eyes and give it the opportunity to cleave to us. We are exhorted to “cleave” to that which is good.

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