Bible Commentaries
Psalms 15

Verses 1-5

Psalms 15:0

Psalms 15:1 (A Psalm of David.) LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psalms 15:1 “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle” - Comments - This same question is asked in Psalms 24:3-6 and Isaiah 33:14-17. The same answer is given in each of these three passages of Scripture. Although every person is God's creation, as stated in Psalms 15:1-2, only those who fear and serve the Lord are allowed access into His presence. Only the person with a pure heart can come into God’s presence.

Psalms 24:3-6, “ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.”

Isaiah 33:14-17, “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.”

In Psalms 15:1 we see the priestly office being executed in the entrance into the tabernacle. Only a priest could enter into the Temple courts. This Psalm is prophetic of the priestly role of the New Testament believer.

Psalms 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psalms 15:2 Comments - This person walks uprightly, or blameless, and does what is right, and speaks the truth from his heart.

Psalms 15:3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Psalms 15:3 “He that backbiteth not with his tongue” Comments - The backbiter is a slanderer.

Psalms 15:3 “nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour” Comments - A reproach is a blame, a discredit, or a rebuke.

Psalms 15:4 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.

Psalms 15:4 “In whose eyes a vile person is contemned” Comments - A vile person is despised.

Psalms 15:4 “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not” - Comments - He keeps his vow, even when it hurts, or is costly. For example, Jephthah made a vow to sacrifice the first thing that comes from the doors of his house when he returned home. He kept his vow and sacrificed his own daughter (Judges 11:31).

Judges 11:31, “Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”

Psalms 15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Psalms 15:5 “He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent” Comments - Usury is money loaned with interest payments. A reward would be a bribe.

Psalms 15:5 “ He that doeth these things shall never be moved” Scripture Reference - Note:

2 Peter 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall :”