Click here to read PSALM 15 in poetic form.
Background
This Psalm is a “checklist” of what the Messiah would do. Jesus Christ would have found great inspiration and guidance in these scriptures. There are 11 qualities listed:
- 3 attitudes in verse 2 toward God (love God with all your heart)
- 3 things in verse 3 not to do toward your neighbor (love your neighbor as yourself)
- 3 things in verse 4 to do toward your neighbor (love your neighbor as yourself)
- 2 financial evils in verse 5 to avoid (love of God, self, and neighbor, not the love of money)
Structure
(Verse 1) The one (Messiah) who abides with God
(Verses 2-5) Qualities of that man (Messiah)
(Verse 5) The one (Messiah) who is never moved
Key Scriptures
Verse 2—“He that walketh uprightly.” Jesus Christ always did the Father’s will.
Verse 2—“worketh righteousness.” Jesus Christ was the righteous Branch who made us righteous.
Verse 2—“speaketh the truth in his heart.” This is how Jesus Christ talked with his Father.
Verse 3—“backbiteth not with his tongue.” No record in the Bible shows Jesus Christ doing this.
Verse 3—“nor doeth evil to his neighbour.” All Jesus Christ did was love and give.
Verse 3—“nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” Jesus Christ confronted evil and exposed darkness. He never wrongfully reproached anyone.
Verse 4—“In whose eyes a vile person is contemned.” Religious hypocrites, wealthy and proud rulers, and socially accepted ones rarely found solace in Jesus Christ. He looked on the heart.
Verse 4—“he honoureth them that fear the Lord.” Jesus Christ often extolled the humble, like the widow who offered her two mites (Mark 12:41-44).
Verse 4—“He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” This should read: “He that swears to his neighbor, and changes not.” In other words, he who keeps his word. Jesus Christ always carried out what he promised. He made God’s healing and wholeness available to all.
Verse 5—“ He that putteth not out his money to usury.” Jesus Christ was the opposite of someone who lends money for interest. He gave his whole life for us.
Verse 5—“nor taketh reward [bribes] against the innocent.” Jesus Christ would never take a bribe, even when the Devil offered him all the power and wealth of the world (Matthew 4:8,9; Luke 4:5-7). Judas was bribed to betray Jesus, the innocent one (Matthew 27:4).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
