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Psalm 15[a]

A psalm of David.

15 Lord, who may be a guest in your home?[b]
Who may live on your holy hill?[c]
Whoever lives a blameless life,[d]
does what is right,
and speaks honestly.[e]
He[f] does not slander,[g]
or do harm to others,[h]
or insult his neighbor.[i]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 15:1 sn Psalm 15. This psalm describes the character qualities that one must possess to be allowed access to the divine presence.
  2. Psalm 15:1 tn Heb “Who may live as a resident foreigner in your tent?”
  3. Psalm 15:1 sn In this context the Lord’s holy hill probably refers to Zion/Jerusalem. See Isa 66:20; Joel 2:1; 3:17; Zech 8:3; Pss 2:6; 43:3; 48:1; 87:1; Dan 9:16.
  4. Psalm 15:2 tn Heb “one who walks blamelessly.”
  5. Psalm 15:2 tn Heb “one who speaks truth in his heart”; or “one who speaks truth [that is] in his heart.” This apparently refers to formulating a truthful statement in one’s mind and then honestly revealing that statement in one’s speech.
  6. Psalm 15:3 sn Hebrew literature often assumes and reflects the male-oriented perspective of ancient Israelite society. The principle of the psalm is certainly applicable to all people, regardless of their gender or age.
  7. Psalm 15:3 tn Heb “he does not slander upon his tongue.” For another example of רָגַל (ragal, “slander”) see 2 Sam 19:28.
  8. Psalm 15:3 tn Or “his fellow.”
  9. Psalm 15:3 tn Heb “and he does not lift up an insult against one who is near to him.”

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

Lord, who may dwell(A) in your sacred tent?(B)
    Who may live on your holy mountain?(C)

The one whose walk is blameless,(D)
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth(E) from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,(F)
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;

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