A psalm of David
15
📚LORD, who may abide in your tabernacle?
Who may dwell on your
holy hill?
15:1 This psalm is in great contrast to the previous one. The question naturally arises, if all are corrupt, if no one seeks God or does good (Ps 14:2-3), how is it possible to have the kind of character described in this psalm? The answer is that in grace and love God seeks people, forgives them, saves them, changes them, gives them a new nature, and begins the work of sanctifying them (2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:8-10). In this way God prepares them to live in His presence and enjoy Him forever. Without the work of God in the heart not one human being could live as this psalm describes, or be prepared for His presence.⚜
2 📚He who walks uprightly,
and works righteousness,
and speaks the truth
from his heart.
15:2 All believers in Christ (not just a few exceptional ones) should be blameless in behavior – 1 Cor 1:8; Phil 2:14-15; 2 Pet 3:14. All of us should always speak the truth – Eph 4:15, 25; Col 3:9-10. The true God is a God of truth (Ps 31:5), and demands that we love truth and speak the truth. Those who do not are in great danger – Prov 12:22; 2 Thess 2:10-11; Rev 21:8, 27; 22:15. Liars are Satan’s children (John 8:44), and will be punished with Satan.⚜
3 📚He who does not slander
with his tongue,
and who does no evil
to his neighbour,
and does not take up
a taunt against his neighbour.
4 📚He in whose eyes
a vile person is despised,
but who honours those
who fear the LORD;
who though he takes
an oath to his own
hurt does not change it;
15:4 Evil is a great offense to a holy God and so it will be to holy men as well. See Ps 5:5. A truly righteous person will keep his word no matter what it may cost him.⚜
5 📚He who does not
lend his money for usury 📖,
or take a bribe 📖 against
the innocent.
He who behaves like
this will never be shaken 📖.
15:2-5 The character of the righteous man described here is perfectly seen in the Lord Jesus Christ. In union with Him and sharing His righteous nature we can and should live as He lived – Rom 6:3-8; Eph 4:22-24; 1 John 2:3-6.⚜