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;

I hate the work of those who fall away;
This phrase reflects a strong aversion to the actions and lifestyles of those who have turned away from God's commandments. The term "fall away" suggests apostasy or a deliberate departure from faithfulness to God. In the historical context of Israel, falling away often involved turning to idolatry or adopting the practices of surrounding pagan nations, which was a recurring issue addressed by the prophets (Jeremiah 2:13). The psalmist's hatred is not directed at the individuals themselves but at their sinful actions, aligning with the biblical principle of loving the sinner but hating the sin (Jude 1:23). This distinction is crucial in maintaining a heart of compassion while upholding righteousness.

it shall not cling to me.
Here, the psalmist expresses a determination to remain untainted by the sinful practices of others. The imagery of something "clinging" suggests the potential for sin to attach itself and influence one's life if not actively resisted. This echoes the biblical call to be in the world but not of it (John 17:14-16), maintaining holiness and separation from sin. The resolve to prevent sin from clinging is akin to the New Testament exhortation to lay aside every weight and sin that entangles (Hebrews 12:1). It underscores the importance of vigilance and intentionality in one's spiritual walk, ensuring that one's life remains a reflection of God's holiness.

“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes” (Psalm 101:3a) signals a deliberate act of guarding what we allow into our vision and, by extension, into our hearts.

• David chooses ahead of time what will and will not cross his line of sight, echoing Job’s covenant with his eyes (Job 31:1) and Jesus’ call to radical purity (Matthew 5:28–29).

• “Worthless” points to anything empty of godly value—images, entertainments, ambitions, or relationships that detract from holiness (Philippians 4:8).

• The resolve is proactive, not reactive; David doesn’t wait to be tempted but sets boundaries first (Proverbs 4:23).

• In a media-saturated age, this principle still applies: choosing content that fuels faith instead of dulling it (Romans 12:2).

“I hate the work of those who fall away” (Psalm 101:3b) moves from personal discipline to moral discernment about the culture around him.

• The focus is on “the work” rather than the people themselves, mirroring Jude 23’s call to hate even the garment stained by sin while showing mercy to the sinner.

• “Those who fall away” denotes willful apostasy or persistent rebellion (Hebrews 3:12). David refuses to applaud what God calls evil (Isaiah 5:20).

• Genuine love requires hating what destroys souls (Romans 12:9).

• This stance keeps David aligned with God’s heart, like Elijah confronting Baal worship (1 Kings 18:21).

“It shall not cling to me” (Psalm 101:3c) expresses confidence that deception and compromise will not take root.

• Sin is pictured as something sticky (Hebrews 12:1). David refuses prolonged contact that could enslave him (1 Corinthians 15:33).

• The metaphor echoes Joseph fleeing Potiphar’s wife before her grasp could tighten (Genesis 39:12).

• Walking in the light keeps darkness from gaining a foothold (1 John 1:7).

• Ongoing vigilance plus God’s faithfulness ensure victory over entangling sins (1 Corinthians 10:13).

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.

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.