Psalm 15
I don’t know about you but I love when you can read the Bible and walk away with some good wholesome practical ways to live. Psalm 15 is exactly that. So lets dive in an unpack this Psalm together.
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
Let’s look at the first verse. Right away in the first verse we are asked who can dwell in the presence of the Lord? Holy mountain is also referred to as the dwelling place of God. Some scholars refer to the holy mountain as Mount Zion also referring to the temple that was built in Jerusalem. Many say this is a reference to Heaven and dwelling with the lord forever in eternity. This statement refers to a spiritual closeness to the Lord. To dwell in a place is to remain in a place, to settle there, to make that place your home. To dwell with those who are there. This was not a simple choice of words. To dwell was referring to a closeness of relationship with the Lord. A closeness that was different; a closeness that was deeply rooted in relationship and right living, an eternal closeness. You see, God’s holiness and our sin cannot go together. In order for us to come into spiritual closeness with the Lord, to dwell in the presence of the Lord forever, we are called to live rightly. In verses 2-5 we are given a list of ways to live rightly.
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
This Psalm gives us a list of 7 things we can do to live with an eternal perspective:
Live a blameless life, doing what is righteous:
To live a blameless life is to live a life pleasing to the Lord; obedient to His commandments and faithful. Righteousness can be referred to as right living. Being blameless and doing what is righteous go hand in hand. Jesus taught about this in Matthew 22:37-38 saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; love your neighbour as yourself.” Proverbs 11:5 states that the righteousness of the blameless makes their path straight. Psalm 119:1-3 states, “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart, they do no wrong but follow his ways.”
Controlling the tongue, not slandering others: Proverbs 18:21 states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” This is simple request not to gossip or speak about others in a way that damages their character or taints the way others view their character. To speak truth instead of lies.
Do no wrong to your neighbour: This goes back to the two most important commandments of loving your neighbour as yourself.
Hates evil but fear the Lord: To despise all things that are evil and not take part in them but to respect, understand and honour the Lord’s power. Hate what is evil and love what is good and Godly.
To have integrity, keeping your word even if it hurts to do so.
To give money to the poor without interest: give and care for the needy without expecting anything return.
Do not accept bribes but work honestly: making a living in an honest way.
At the end of this Psalm it closes with, “Whoever does these things will never be shaken.”
Other translations close with, “Such people will stand firm forever.” While others say, “They will not be moved.” Again we see this eternal perspective of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. What I love about this Psalm is that it very much feels like an invitation. You want to dwell in the house of the Lord forever….. then here’s how you should live. So practical and simple. It’s a beautiful invitation to live rightly, in closeness with the Lord, through simple obedience with simple instructions on how to do so.
With love,
Kayla
Resources:
Using the NIV Journaling Bible
