A Sovereign's Pledge of Integrity and Justice

Of David. A Psalm.

1I will sing of loyalty and of justice;

to you, O LORD, I will sing.

2I will study the way that is blameless.

When shall I attain it?

I will walk with integrity of heart

within my house;

3I 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.

4Perverseness of heart shall be far from me;

I will know nothing of evil.

5One who secretly slanders a neighbour

I will destroy.

A haughty look and an arrogant heart

I will not tolerate.

6I will look with favour on the faithful in the land,

so that they may live with me;

whoever walks in the way that is blameless

shall minister to me.

7No one who practises deceit

shall remain in my house;

no one who utters lies

shall continue in my presence.

8Morning by morning I will destroy

all the wicked in the land,

cutting off all evildoers

from the city of the LORD.