USB ~ Psalms 15

The Righteous Israelite

1 aA psalm of David. LORD, who may abide in your tent?† Who may dwell on your holy mountain?†

2 Whoever walks without blame, b doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart;

3 Who does not slander with his tongue, does no harm to a friend, never defames a neighbor;

4 Who disdains the wicked, but honors those who fear the LORD; Who keeps an oath despite the cost,

5 lends no money at interest,† accepts no bribe against the innocent. c

III Whoever acts like this shall never be shaken.

Footnotes

†. Psalm 15 The Psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the Temple court (cf. Ps 24:3-6; Is 33:14b-16). The Israelite wishing to be admitted had to ask the Temple official what conduct was appropriate to God’s precincts. Note the emphasis on virtues relating to one’s neighbor.

†. 15:1 Your tent: the Temple could be referred to as “tent” (Ps 61:5; Is 33:20), a reference to the tent of the wilderness period and the tent of David (2 Sm 6:17; 7:2), predecessors of the Temple. Holy mountain: a venerable designation of the divine abode (Ps 2:6; 3:5; 43:3; 48:2, etc.).

†. 15:5 Lends no money at interest: lending money in the Old Testament was often seen as assistance to the poor in their distress, not as an investment; making money off the poor by charging interest was thus forbidden (Ex 22:24; Lv 25:36-37; Dt 23:20).

15:1 Is 56:7.
15:2 Ps 119:1.
15:5 Ex 22:24; 23:8.