Psalms 15:3

In the preceding verse the present participle is used; but here the perfect tense, describing how his actual behaviour has been governed by the principles of truth and justice.

He that hath had no slander on his tongue,

Nor done evil to his fellow,

Nor taken up reproach against his neighbour.

Neighbourin A.V. represents two different words. Friend(R.V.) however is somewhat too strong for the first, which denotes anyone with whom he is associated in the intercourse of life. The general sense of the last line is clear. He has not made his neighbour's faults or misfortunes the object of his ridicule or sarcasm (Psalms 69:20). The precise meaning is however not quite certain. Either (1) utteredreproach, or (2) taken up, and given currency to, what might otherwise have lain unheeded; or (3), as is most probable, loadedhis neighbour with reproach, adding to the burden of his trouble (Psalms 69:7).