Psalm 15 Story behind the Psalm
Overview
Background Ideas
- YHWH's ‘holy mountain’ and ‘dwelling place’ are two images that represent the protection and privileges that God's people enjoy (see also Ps 27:5; 61:5).
- These ethical standards are found in the Israelite law codes; e.g. Lev 19:11 prohibits speaking deceitfully. The law codes also prohibit slander (Lev 19:16), charging interest to a fellow Israelite (Lev 25:36–37), and bribes (Exod 23:8; Deut 16:19).
Background Situation
Expanded Paraphrase
(For more information, click "Expanded Paraphrase Legend" below.)
| Expanded paraphrase legend | |
|---|---|
| Close but Clear (CBC) translation | The CBC, our close but clear translation of the Hebrew, is represented in bold text. |
| Assumptions | Assumptions which provide background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences are represented in italics. |
v. 1
A psalm of David.
YHWH, who (is the kind of person who) may dwell in your dwelling place (and experience the benefits of your favour and protection)? Who may stay on your holy mountain (, Mt. Zion, the place where you have chosen to be present with your people, but that is set apart from everything common or profane)?
(Is it the person who meets cultic requirements, holds the correct religious doctrine, is physically impressive, or demonstrates military power or royal lineage?)
v. 2
(No, such are not the full requirements that God requires. The eligible one is the one who keeps YHWH's covenant instructions. In summary, he embraces right behaviour:)
- the one who walks (throughout life)with integrity,
- and the one who does what is right, and
- the one who speaks truth sincerely (thereby keeping the instruction that says "You shall not deceive, and you shall not lie to one another" (Lev 19:11).
v. 3
(Such a person can be recognised in his interactions with his neighbour.) (He will have successfully resisted temptation, rejecting wrong behaviour)
- He has not slandered (, showing integrity).
- He has not done wrong to his neighbour (only doing what is right), and
- has not uttered a taunt against his relative (only speaking the truth sincerely).
v. 4
(Such a person will adhere to covenant instructions even when disadvantageous or painful, such that)
- The rejected one is despised in his opinion (regardless of any social cost for opposing the one YHWH has rejected: he maintains his integrity),
- and he honours those who fear YHWH (, regardless of any social cost of aligning with the godly but unpopular: he does what is right).
- Having sworn so as to harm (himself), (because he is willing to sacrifice on behalf of others) he will not change (: he speaks the truth sincerely, no matter how large the sacrifice).
v. 5
(Financial matters are often where character is revealed, whether one will sacrifice self-interest for what is right.) (One stereotype of such a person) (is one who is wealthy enough to help the poor, and who chooses not to increase his wealth at the expense of the poor.) He has not given his money with interest (thereby keeping the instruction that prohibits charging interest to a fellow Israelite and profiting from their need [Exod 22:25; Lev 25:36–37; Deut 23:20]), (but rather treats the poor and vulnerable with compassion, absorbing the cost of lending money himself.)
(Another stereotype is) (a person in a position of power who does not abuse his power for financial gain), and has not taken a bribe against an innocent person(thereby keeping the instruction that prohibits the taking of bribes [Exod 23:8; Deut 16:19] and imitating YHWH [Deut 10:17]) (and has rather resisted the temptation both to pervert justice and to gain materially at the expense of someone who has done nothing wrong).
The one who does these things (who keeps YHWH's covenant,) (will dwell in the dwelling place of YHWH,) (living with others under his protection and blessing) (and he will remain there permanently: he) will never be shaken (and thus God's promises to his people, and David in particular, will be fulfilled).