Psalm 15
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 15[a]
The Righteous Israelite
1 (A)A psalm of David.
I
Lord, who may abide in your tent?[b]
Who may dwell on your holy mountain?
II
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,[c]
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).
Psalm 15
English Standard Version
Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill?
A Psalm of David.
2 He who (D)walks blamelessly and (E)does what is right
and (F)speaks truth in his heart;
3 who (G)does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor (H)takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 (I)in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who (J)swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who (K)does not put out his money at interest
and (L)does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be (M)moved.
Psalmen 15
Schlachter 1951
PSALM 15
Das Porträt des Gottesfürchtigen
15 Ein Psalm Davids. Herr, wer wird wohnen in deiner Hütte?
Wer wird bleiben auf deinem heiligen Berge?
2 Wer in Unschuld wandelt und Gerechtigkeit übt
und die Wahrheit redet von Herzen;
3 wer keine Verleumdungen herumträgt auf seiner Zunge,
seinem Nächsten nichts Böses tut
und seinen Nachbar nicht schmäht;
4 wer den Verwerflichen verachtet,
aber die ehrt, welche den Herrn fürchten;
wer, auch wenn er sich selbst zum Schaden geschworen hat, es dennoch hält;
5 wer sein Geld nicht um Wucherzinsen gibt und keine Bestechung annimmt gegen den Unschuldigen.
Wer solches tut, wird ewiglich nicht wanken!
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Copyright © 1951 by Geneva Bible Society