under a true and better King

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.

Psalm 101:6

The hundred and first psalm is an interesting bit of poetry. It is written by David, but the king doing the speaking is the idealic King of the Davidic Covenant. As such this is obviously not fulfilled in David, whose own story and reign is full of sin and failures. Rather, this song is fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus is the true and better King. Jesus is the Son of David Who can do all that this psalm says about the King.

With that in view, some powerful promises are seen in this psalm. And I think verse six is one of the clearest: Jesus brings God’s favor to the faithful. Those who by faith in Him and in faith follow Him will know God’s grace. They will dwell with the King living with them. They will be in the presence of the King every day.

And because of Jesus, with sins forgiven, they can serve the king. They can bless others because the King has blessed them. They can do the King’s will because the King has made them His servants. The King that is an intimate friend, that brings us to His palace, is also the One we serve. We do the will of Him Who loves us in this way.