Psalm 101: Inaugural address or social code of conduct?

Abstract

The article presents a literary and social-scientific analysis of the text of Psalm 101. The ideological purpose of the text seems to have been more than a mere declaration of intent made by someone about to ascend the throne. It also seems to have provided a code of conduct for an in-group of Yahweh worshippers, perhaps particularly so at a later stage of its usage. It uses royal and divine authority to demarcate the boundaries of that group and to establish a religious and social ethos for its members. Moral wholeness and social and religious integrity seem to have been the ideal characteristics of a member of this group of people whose existence is vindicated through this psalm.