Psalms 15
A Psalm of David
1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
The question of all questions, “who shall actually live with God in eternity?” Philosophers and theologians have discussed this endlessly over time. The answer is actually simple but at the same time profoundly out of reach for man in his natural state.
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
It is, of course, the natural and straight-forward answer. It is the godly person, the honest person, the one who lives righteously. But there is a real problem. When Paul made the case for the total depravity of the natural man he quoted mostly from David, Rom 3:10-19. So, David knew full well that in order for a person to be this honesty and holy person something radical must happen to him.
He furthered his description but the further he went the more obvious it became that no one is like that apart from a Divine miracle.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
He is kind and honest to his friends and his neighbors, never falsely accusing or seeking vengeance.
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.
However, he is not indifferent toward evil or those who commit it. He plainly distinguishes between the wicked and the evil. Those who fear the Lord are his comrades, friends and brothers. The ‘vile person’ is the one whose heart is set to do evil, one who has rejected and continues to reject truth.
When the godly man makes an agreement he keeps it, every time, period. Even when he agrees to a thing that does not work out the way he hoped, he remains faithful to his word.
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.
He seeks no advantage over those less fortunate than himself. And, forget bribing him, that is not going to work at all.
His firmness of purpose is a manifestation of the Grace of God upon His life, the God Who will never fail nor abandon one of His own.
— April 17, 2020