Psalms 15:1-5
1 LORD, who shall abidea in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE
The Approved Citizen-Guest of Jehovah.
ANALYSIS
Stanza I., Psalms 15:1, Worshippers Approaching the Holy City enquire What Kind of Persons may Enter and Dwell there. Stanza II., Psalms 15:2-5, The Reply from Within specifies Ten Virtues, Assuring their Possessor of an Undisturbed Residence.
(Lm.) PsalmBy David
1
Jehovah! who shall be a guest in thy tent?
who shall dwell in thy holy mountain?
2
He that walketh without blame in his righteousness,[117]
[117] So Br. M.T.: He that walketh without blame and doeth what is right.
and speaketh truth with his heart:
3
hath not played the spy on his neighbour,
hath not done his friend a wrong;
and a reproach hath not taken up against his intimate:[118]
[118] Or: one near him.
4
despised in his eyes is the reprobate,[119]
[119] Who is displeasing in his own eyes, worthy of contemptDel.
but them who revere Jehovah does he honour:
he hath sworn to his friend and will not change,
5
his silver hat he not put out on interest;
and a bribe against the innocent hath he not taken:
He that doeth these things shall not be shaken to the ages.
(Nm.)
PARAPHRASE
Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in Your tabernacle up on Your holy hill?
2 Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbor,
4 Speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him,
5 Does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered himsuch a man shall stand firm forever.
EXPOSITION
This is an interesting psalm of instruction, valuable in its bearing on character. It is brightly dramatic. It places the inhabitants of Jerusalem in a beautiful light, as guests in Jehovah's house at the same time that they are dwellers in his holy city: their residence in the one giving them easy and constant access to the other. The same character that would make them honoured citizens, would make them welcome worshippers. In placing Jehovah in the light of a Host, the psalm sheds a soft radiance on the Divine character. It was beseeming that such a Host should have noble guests; and it will be observed how prominent nobility of character is here made, by the very nature of the virtues which are signalised. Such a man as is here portrayed could not be mean. The close observer will discover that the ten characteristics named are arranged in couplets and triplets:a couplet of general principles in work and word (Psalms 15:2); a triplet of social virtues, coming nearer and nearer to the man himselfneighbour, friend, intimate (Psalms 15:3): a couplet of bold contrast, touching religious character (Psalms 15:4 a, b); then a triplet of sterner excellences, safeguarding social intercourse (Psalms 15:4 c, Psalms 15:5 a, b). Summing up all that has gone before as the condition, the psalmist assures the would-be Citizen-Guest of a permanent welcome. Several other psalms fall into line with this in emphasising character: as Psalms 1, 24, 121; and Isaiah 33:14-16 may be aptly compared. The Christian justly enamoured of justification for the ungodly and salvation for the lost, will act wisely by reminding himself that the initial justification without works is in order to works; and the universal and imperative requirement of repentance demands the production of godly character as the great object of the Gospel.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
Is there some relationship between this psalm and the 14th?
2.
Where is the tabernacle of God and His holy hill?then and now.
3.
What advantages would there be in finding refuge and shelter in the tabernacle of God?
4.
Who said the morals of the Old Testament are lower than those of the New? How shall we account for the code of ethics here delineated?
5.
Discuss the positive and negative thinking suggested in this psalm.