Psalm 15 A Psalm of David.
Verse 1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
LORD means “the existing One”. The Hebrew word translated as “abide” is “guwr” and it means to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, and stay. The Hebrew word translated as “tabernacle” is “ohel” and it means a tent, dwelling, home, or habitation. A holy hill is one that is set apart and can be a hill or a mount. So King David is asking God who shall dwell in His holy domain which is Heaven above. He is not referring to the city of Jerusalem on Earth which is built on seven hills and has never been holy. In today’s vernacular one would say, “Who’s going to make it into Heaven, Lord?”
Verse 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
King David answers the above question with a description of a godly man (or woman-remember the Bible is written in the masculine tense). The man who walks uprightly which means the man who has integrity. The man who does that which is right in God’s eyes. The man who does not lie but who loves the truth and who will declare it.
Verses 3-4 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.
The man who is not a tale-bearer or one who slanders others with his words. The man who loves his neighbour as himself and does no harm to others. The man who does not accuse, taunt, or shame his neighbor. The man who calls sin sin and who despises those who are morally wicked. The man who gives honor and respect to fellow believers and followers of the LORD. And the man who will tell the truth or take an oath even if it causes him discomfort or harm, and he will not back down under pressure.
Verse 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.
The man who will lend money to those in need without charging interest on that money. The man who will not take a bribe or a present to testify or speak against someone who is innocent of wrongdoing or who is unjustly accused. All of these characteristics are those of a godly man or woman and David feels that people who live lives reflective of these characteristics will abide with the LORD in His holy hill or Mount Zion which is in the sides of the North which is the portal into Heaven.
Application: Because King David never saw the LORD Jesus Christ during his lifetime on Earth, he only knew the Old Covenant and the Law and did not know about Jesus being the way, the truth, and the life and the only way in which believers can see Heaven. But for people to have these character traits, they must have the LORD in their life, regardless of whether they lived before the coming of Christ or lived after His coming. Man’s sinful nature will not allow him to be godly, and only the presence of the LORD in people’s lives allows them to be Christ-like and godly.