Psalms · psalm 15 of 150
Updated on
Psalm 15 asks who may sojourn in the Lord's tent and dwell on his holy hill. The answer describes the person who walks blamelessly, does what is right, speaks truth, does not slander or harm a neighbor, honors those who fear the Lord, keeps his word even when it hurts and does not take advantage of the innocent. Whoever lives this way will never be moved.
It is a psalm of David and belongs to the entrance liturgies of the sanctuary: pilgrims asked who could approach the place where God dwelt, and a priest or Levite answered with a list of qualities. It is short and concrete, and it shows that worshiping God and living justly belong together.
The psalm opens with a double question: who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? It refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the place where God drew near to his people.
The answer is a list of character traits. It is the one who walks blamelessly, does what is right and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, do evil to his neighbor or take up a reproach against his friend. He despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord. He keeps his oath even when it hurts and does not change.
He also does not put out his money at interest, that is, he does not exploit the needy, and he does not take a bribe against the innocent. The psalm ends with a promise: the one who does these things shall never be moved, which means he will stand firm in God's presence.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The psalmist asks who may sojourn in the Lord's tent and dwell on his holy hill. The question acknowledges that God is holy and that drawing near to him demands something.
The one who walks blamelessly, does what is right and speaks truth from his heart. Truth is lived from the inside, not only with the mouth, and worship shows itself in everyday life.
He keeps his oath even when it hurts and does not change. This person honors his word even when it costs him; in a world of easy promises, it is a mark of character.
He does not lend at interest or take a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does so will never be moved. Honesty in money and in the courts is presented as part of life before God.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Who may sojourn in the Lord's tent and dwell on his holy hill? — Psalm 15:1
Answer: Blamelessly, doing what is right and speaking truth in his heart. — Psalm 15:2
Answer: He does not slander, do evil to his neighbor or take up a reproach against his friend. — Psalm 15:3
Answer: Those who fear the Lord. — Psalm 15:4
Answer: He keeps it even when it hurts. — Psalm 15:4
Answer: That whoever does these things shall never be moved. — Psalm 15:5
Psalm 15 joins two worlds that we sometimes separate: what happens in worship and what happens in the street. God takes no pleasure in the worship of someone who lies, slanders or exploits the needy. In a small group, the list invites an honest review: how we speak about others, how we keep what we promise, how we handle money.
For Christians, this list also points to Jesus, who lived that integrity completely. No one keeps it perfectly, but in Christ we have access to God, and his Spirit transforms us so that we can live this way. The goal is not to earn entry but to reflect the One who has welcomed us.
Psalm 15 describes the character of the one who may dwell with God. Psalm 16 is the prayer of someone who has already found in the Lord his refuge and inheritance, with a hope that reaches beyond death.
In Israel, the law of Moses forbade charging interest to a poor brother, as in Exodus 22:25. The psalm speaks of not taking advantage of another's need and is not a rule about every commercial loan.
No. The psalm describes the character of someone who already belongs to God, not a price for buying his favor. The New Testament teaches that salvation is by grace through faith and that good works are its fruit.
It is Zion, the hill of Jerusalem where the temple stood and where God dwelt among his people. For Christians, God's presence has drawn near in Christ and by his Spirit.