Psalms 15

Psalms 15:1-2

This psalm may be entitled the fare guide to heaven; for though Christ is our title, believe it our way. 1. We are directed to inquire the way, ver. 1. 2. We are directed how to walk in it, ver. 2-5. 3. We are told how safe we shall be if we do, ver. 5.

A psalm of David.

1. LORD, ‘who shall + abide in thy tabernacle? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 2. He that ‘hackleeth not with his tongue, nor doth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4. In whole eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD: be that sweareth to his true hurt, and changeth not. 5. He that putteth not but his money to utury, ’nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doth these things, shall never be moved.

The former psalm described that desperate corruption of fallen man, which rendered him unfit for communion with God; this describes the character of the redeemed, whose captivity to sin is turned, and who, as bought with the blood of Jesus, are by his spirit made meet for an inheritance among the saints in light.

1. The psalmists puts an important question: Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? have a place among the faithful in the church of God; and abide there as living members upon earth, and after death be admitted to thy presence in glory? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? in the heavenly Zion, and the city of the living God? Note, (1.) This is a question we should often be making, that we may with self-application say, Lord, is it? (2.) Many have a flat in God’s tabernacle on earth, who will find no dwelling in his holy hill above. (3.) If we would know our true state, we must enquire at God’s mouth, and examine and judge of ourselves, not by the opinions of men, but by his holy word.

2. The question is resolved, and we must apply the character here described: happy for us if we can find our hearts correspond thereunto. (1.) He that walketh uprightly, or perfectly; not absolutely, in that sense there is not a man that liveth and sinmeth not, but with simplicity and godly sincerity; whose prevailing bent is to please God, and who is without disillusion, or allowed guide. (2.) And worketh righteousness; believes in, and depends on the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the great work of God in the sinner’s heart, John vi, 39 and acts towards man with integrity in all his dealings. (3.) And speaketh the truth in his heart; thinks before he speaks in the presence of God, that he may not offer the prayer and service of feigned lips; and among men his words are ever the true copy of his heart; nor doth he defraud or go beyond his brother in any matter, making conscience in all his worldly business to speak truth with his neighbour. (4.) He desires in conversation to be harmless and inoffensive; his neighbour’s reputation is sacred, he never speaks evil of him, either with malicious design or in common talk; nor taketh up a reproach against them; is pleased

pleased with the tales of slander, or encourages them; but contrariwise, is ever the advocate of the injured and the absent, pleading their cause, and desiring to cull the will of charity over the multitude of sins: nor doth evil to his neighbour; his deeds correspond to his words, he doth not speak him fair to his face, and whom opportunity offers, make a property of him, or injure him, but studies to advance his interests as his own, and to serve him with his counsel, purse, or influence. (5.) He values men not by their outward show, but by their inward piety: in which eyes a wise person is contented, or a wicked man, notwithstanding he may possess this world’s goods, honours and esteem, is contented; not that he refuses to pay him the civil respect due to his Station, but he judges of him according to God’s word, and cannot it his duty to avoid all intimate connection with him, and is fearless of his frowns, as regardless of his favour: far he beware them that fear the Lord, however poor and despicable they may be in the eyes of the world, he regards them as the excellent of the earth, and they are his companions and familiar friends. (6.) His oath is sacred: he that fuareth to his own hurt, and changeth not, however much prejudice he may sustain, or however imprudent or rath the engagement was, he fulfils it for his oath’s sake, unless released from the obligation. (7.) He is no extortioner, he that parish not not his money to glory; that is, to take advantage of his neighbour’s distress, to exact unjust premiums or interest; for a reasonable recompense for the use of money, is as lawful before God and man, as the rent of land, or the price of labour; and he often lends where the cash requires such a charitable help, hoping for nothing again. (8.) No bribe can tempt him to bear a false evidence, to engage in a bad cause, or pervert judgment; nor saleth reward against the innocent.

3. He that doth these things; the man whom this character suits, shall never be moved, shall have a place in the church of God, as tried and found faithful, shall be enabled to persevere amidst all difficulties and dangers, and finally be admitted into God’s mention of glory, as a pillar in the temple of God, to go out no more. May such be our character, then such shall be our end!