15 1 This Psalm teacheth on what condition God did choose the Jews for his peculiar people; and wherefore he placed his Temple among them, which was to the intent that they by living uprightly and godly, might witness that they were his special and holy people.

A Psalm of David.

Lord, who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle? who shall rest in thine holy Mountain?

He that [a]walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

He that slandereth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor receiveth a false report against his neighbor.

[b]In whose eyes a vile person is contemned, but he honoreth them that fear the Lord: he that sweareth to his own hindrance and changeth not.

He that [c]giveth not his money unto usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent: he that doeth these things, [d]shall never be moved.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 15:2 First God requireth uprightness of life, next doing well to others, and thirdly, truth and simplicity in our words.
  2. Psalm 15:4 He that flattereth not the ungodly in their wickedness.
  3. Psalm 15:5 To the hindrance of his neighbor.
  4. Psalm 15:5 That is, shall not be cast forth of the Church as hypocrites.

The Character of Those Who May Dwell with the Lord

A Psalm of David.

15 Lord, (A)who may [a]abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the (B)truth in his heart;
He who (C)does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
(D)Nor does he [b]take up a reproach against his friend;
(E)In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He who (F)swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things (G)shall never be moved.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 15:1 sojourn
  2. Psalm 15:3 receive

A Description of Those Who May Dwell with Yahweh

A psalm of David.[a]

15 O Yahweh, who may reside in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks blamelessly and does what is right.
He who speaks honestly in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue.
He does not harm his friend,
nor bring up[b] a disgrace against his neighbor.
In his eyes a rejected one is contemptible,
but he honors those who respect Yahweh.
He takes an oath to his own injury and does not retract it.
He does not lend his money at interest,
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 15:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  2. Psalm 15:3 Literally “lift up”

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;
who despises a vile person
    but honors(G) those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath(H) even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;(I)
    who does not accept a bribe(J) against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.(K)