The poetic style in the Bible concerns similar thoughts about a specific point or object, rather than similar sounds, as in English poetry. Similar thoughts may view the same thing from two different angles or in positive and negative contrasts. In this psalm, there are two questions that are similar, eleven answers that cover all the moral conduct of one who dwells in the house of the Lord, and the result of that choice for morality, which is a promise to claim.
The questions David asked were addressed to the Lord Himself, not to some spiritual advisor for an opinion from another person. He asked his questions to the Owner of the House, the Lord, and he asked with respect and reverence as one who is conscious of the holiness of the Lord. This is the attitude and tone of voice that should characterize all of our communication with God. There is a dignity that is expected in approaching One who is "High and Lofty, and inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy." He dwells in the high and holy place. He dwells with those who have a "contrite and humble spirit." He chooses to do that with the purpose of encouraging and challenging those who are feeling the weight of the times and darkness around, and to stimulate the devotion of the contrite.
What a wonderful place the house of the Lord is, and what a wonderful blessing it is to be conscious of the presence of the Lord. To "abide" expresses the fact that there we experience the hospitality of the Owner of the house - the Lord. The Great Eternal God is the Gracious Host in the house of the Lord. To "dwell" has to do with the purpose of being in the house of the Lord. Why would one want to be there? First of all, the One whose house it is is the One who has won our hearts and who we love. It is there that worship of the Lord is real, and communion with the Lord is effectively experienced. It is there that fellowship with our Lord is real and lasting. The epitome of our relationship with our Lord is to sense being in the house of the Lord, with the Lord, continuously.
How wonderful it is when we get answers from the Lord, especially when they are so specific that we cannot make any mistake about their meaning. There are three characteristics of morality written here. "Upright" means that nothing is put on temporarily for some self-centered purpose, but is the consistent practice of one who is wholehearted in their commitment to be blameless before a watching world. This is evident in one's personal life, in how they conduct business, in family life, and in participation in assembly life.
"Righteousness" is not a form of conduct we put on or take off to suit everyone, nor is it a form of conduct we put on if it is expedient to our hidden agenda. A righteous person does not put on righteousness to interact with some people, nor does he take it off to avoid or ignore others. Right actions promote the right relationships.
The third characteristic of the morality of character is that one "speaks the truth." Truth is the corresponding of a statement with a fact. A person may say one thing to one person with a certain connotation and tone of voice, and then say the same words to another person, but the way they are said means something very different. This can happen even in public prayer or in giving words of exhortation. It is incumbent on us to use words to express the thoughts we have without deception or flattery, but to speak the truth from our hearts.
When one is committed to fellowship and communion with God in his heart, in the conduct of life, and in the words we speak and how we say them, that person will not be moved. They will find the holy fellowship with our Lord such a wonder and blessing that no matter what might come at them from all sides, they will be "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."
This psalm describes a person who truly loves the Lord, is devoted to Him, wants to be with Him, and wants to continue living in unbroken fellowship with Him. This practice of godly living has to be deliberately cultivated, watered, and nurtured in order to be maintained. Godly habits that are suited to the place where one lives and the people of the culture where one's lot is cast will find that this kind of behavior, conduct, and mindset has to be continually attended to. To "abide" and "dwell" where our Lord is sets us apart unto the Lord wherever we are found.
PSALM 15. Guidelines for living. Ben Franklin called this the “Gentleman’s Psalm.” We will call it the “Christian’s Psalm.” This is the standard by which a Christian should live. We should walk in righteousness, speak the truth, keep our hearts from sin, keep our word, and be free from corruption and covetousness. Those who fear the Lord and want to be effective in our witness will gladly conform. This psalm is not about salvation being tied to righteous character or holy deeds, but rather the life of holiness of believers. From salvation onward, the child of God has the privilege of living under the control of the Holy Spirit. If we choose to sin and walk under our own energy, we move out of the realm of fellowship and into the realm of divine discipline. This psalm has to do with walking in temporal fellowship with God, right here, every day, all the time. v.1. “Abide” = sojourn in God’s tent; “dwell” = fixed abode on God’s holy hill – Zion. v. 2-5. Eleven specific characteristics answer the questions of verse 1.
1. Walks uprightly: with integrity = to be solid, wholesome, and complete. This has to do with who we
are as well as where we go. This person refuses to live a lie.
2. Works righteousness: what we do; honest dealings, no compromising activities.
3. Speaks the truth in his heart: how we think, the source of our attitudes, reactions, and motives, is
the mind (heart). There is to be no place for deception, lies, or a hidden agenda.
4. Backbites not with his tongue: what we say, no slander = to go about, no gossip. Is it confidential?
Never mention it. Is it true? Investigate it. Is it necessary? Some words are useless. Is it kind? It has a wholesome purpose.
5. No evil to his neighbor: encourages and instructs; is loyal and consistent; is not fickle or erratic.
6. No reproach against his friend: does not say sharp, cutting, and scornful things about others to their
face or behind their back; is honest and gentle
7. In whose eyes a vile person (reprobate) is despised: who we are with, someone with no interest in
spiritual things.
8. Honors those who fear the Lord: our associates are who we become like. Our company should
have values determined by biblical principles.
9. He swears to his own hurt and does not change: We must perform what we promise, even when
keeping our word is difficult; our word is our bond. The believer with integrity makes it his aim to do what he says he will do, even when it is inconvenient.
10. Puts not his money at interest: the needy brother is to be generously and unselfishly assisted. Love
with discernment is the motive. Not every financial need among believers is a “need.” Some “needs” stem from careless spending.
11. Nor takes reward from the innocent: does not take bribes. Bribe = money taken or promised to a
person of trust to pervert his judgment or corrupt his conduct; influence peddling. Charging interest was allowed on loans to foreigners [De. 23:20] and also for business purposes as long as it wasn’t exorbitant [Pro. 28:8]. v. 5c. The Promise: stable, solid, dependable lives under the control of the Holy Spirit that wholesome citizens of heaven should live. Integrity reinforces a life, like steel. You cannot be comfortable in God’s presence without it.