A Citizen of Zion
The following is from Matthew Poole's commentary on Psalm 15, edited and modernized.
The occasion and time of composing this psalm is uncertain, but the scope of it is plain, which is to give the character of a holy and happy man, and to describe the way to true blessedness; wherein this is observable, that he is wholly silent as to the ceremonial or ritual observations of the law; not that he disowns them or allows the neglect of them (as is manifest from David's constant practice and from many other passages), but that he might undeceive the hypocritical Israelites, who laid too great a stress upon those things, as the diligent performance thereof would excuse their wicked lives, which error almost all the prophets do observe and condemn in them; and that he might inform the church of that and all succeeding ages, that the substance of religion did consist in the practice of true holiness and righteousness.
David describes a citizen of Zion (Psa. 15:1), i.e., he is pure in heart (Psa. 15:2); governs his tongue (Psa. 15:3); contemns a vile person, but honors him who fears God (Psa. 15:4). He is no usurer (Psa. 15:5).
O thou who art the sovereign Lord of this holy hill and tabernacle, to whom it belongs to give laws to it, and to admit or reject persons as thou see fit, I beg of thee the resolution of this important question. And he proposes this question to God, that the answer, coming from him, may have the greater authority and influence upon the consciences of men.
Verse 1
A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
Psalm 15:1
Who shall abide (Hebrew sojourn), i.e., so as to dwell, as it is explained in the next clause; unless this clause be meant of sojourning in the church here, and the next of dwelling in heaven hereafter. Who shall enter and abide there, with thy good leave and liking?
In thy tabernacle, i.e., in thy church; either:
- Militant. Who is a true and will be a persevering member of this church? Or,
- Triumphant, or in heaven; which is called the true tabernacle, not made with man's hands (Heb. 8:2; 9:11; Rev. 21:3)
In thy holy hill, i.e., of Zion, so called (Psa. 2:6), which is often put for the church and for heaven. Who shall so dwell in thy church here as to dwell with thee forever hereafter in heaven?
Verse 2
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Psalm 15:2
Uprightly, or perfectly, or sincerely, without guile or hypocrisy, loving, worshiping, and serving God, and loving his neighbor, not in word and show only, but in truth and reality; and this constantly, and in the whole course of his life, as walking implies.
Worketh righteousness; makes it his work and business to do justly, i.e., to give to everyone his due, first to God, and then to men; for the words are general, and not restrained to either.
Speaketh the truth in his heart; his words and professions to God and men agree with and proceed from the thoughts and purposes of his heart.
Verse 3
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
Psalm 15:3
He does not take away or diminish his neighbor's good name, either by denying him his due praises, or by laying anything to his charge falsely, or without sufficient cause and evidence.
Nor doeth evil, i.e., any hurt or injury to his neighbor (i.e., to any man), as is evident:
- From the nature of this precept, which reaches to all, it being plain and certain that, both by laws of nature and of Moses, it was not lawful to do evil to any man, except where God the Sovereign commanded it, as he did to the Canaanites and Amalekites.
- From the Scripture usage of this word neighbor, which frequently signifies every man, though a stranger or a heathen (as appears from Gen. 29:4; Exo. 20:10, 17; Lev. 18:20; 19:15; Pro. 25:8-9; Lk 10:20; Mt. 5:43-44). And he uses this word neighbor because he who is strictly so is most within our reach, and most liable to the injuries which one man does to another.
Nor taketh up, i.e., into his lips or mouth, which is understood here (as also in Exo. 20:7; Job 4:2 and fully expressed in Psa. 16:4; 50:16), i.e., does not raise it, though that may seem to be included in the first clause, that backbiteth not; or does not spread and propagate it; which men are too prone and ready to do, and which makes that a public which before was but a private injury and mischief. Or, nor taketh or receiveth, i.e., entertains it cheerfully and greedily, as men usually do such things, and readily believes it without sufficient reason (see Exo. 23:1; Lev. 19:16). Or, nor beareth or endureth, as this phrase signifies (Psa. 69:7; Eze. 36:15). He does not allow another to defame him without some rebuke or indication of his dislike (Pro. 25:23).
Verse 4
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
Psalm 15:4
In whose eyes, i.e., in whose judgment and estimation.
A vile person, i.e., one who deserves contempt, an ungodly or wicked man, as appears from the next clause, where he that fears God is opposed to him.
Is contemned or despised, notwithstanding all his wealth, and glory, and greatness. He does not admire his person, nor envy his condition, nor court him with flattery, nor value his company and conversation, nor approve of or comply with his courses; but he thinks lowly of him, judges him a most miserable man, and a great object of pity; he abhors his wicked practices, and labors to make such ways contemptible and hateful to all men as far as it lies in his power. But this contempt of wicked men must be so managed as not to cause a contempt of just authority, which, if it be lodged in a wicked hand, challenges not only obedience, but also honor and reverence; as is manifest from the precepts and examples of Christ and of his apostles, who charge this upon the Christians everywhere, although the magistrates of those times were unquestionably vile and wicked men (see Acts 23:5; Rom. 13; 1Pe. 5:13, etc.).
He honoureth, i.e., he highly esteems and heartily loves them, and shows great respect and kindness to them, though they be lowly and obscure as to their worldly condition, and though they may differ from him in some opinions or practices of lesser moment.
He that sweareth, i.e., a promissory oath, engaging himself by solemn oath to do something which may be beneficial to his neighbor.
To his own hurt, i.e., to his own damage or prejudice. As if a man solemnly swears by the name of the great God that he will sell to one such an estate at a price below the full worth, or that he will give a poor man such a sum of money, which when afterwards he comes to review and consider, he finds it very inconvenient and burdensome to him, where he is tempted to break his oath.
Changeth not, i.e., his purpose or course, but continues firm and resolved to perform his promise, and sacrifices his interest and profit to his conscience, and the reverence of God and of an oath (see Eze. 17:18-19).
Verse 5
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Psalm 15:5
He that putteth not out his money to usury, in such manner as is contrary to God's law (of which see in Exo. 22:25; Lev. 25:36-37).
Nor taketh reward, or a bribe, from him who has a bad cause; that he may either condemn the innocent, or acquit the guilty; both which God abhors.
He that doth these things here enumerated, and such things as naturally and necessarily flow from them, or are akin to them, and joined with them, he shall constantly persevere in God's church here; and though he may be shaken, and stagger and fall, yet he shall never wholly and finally be removed or fall away from it, nor from that happiness which was proposed and promised to him, but shall abide with God here, and go to him when he dies, and be forever with the Lord.