Psalms 15: The Character That Dwells with God

A short checklist of what it means to walk uprightly.

Psalms 15: Who May Dwell With God?

Following the hope expressed at the end of Psalms 14, this chapter opens with a direct question: who may abide in God's tabernacle and dwell on His holy hill? The rest of the psalm answers with a concise list of honest, upright conduct.


A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.

In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

David names refusing slander, keeping promises even when costly, and lending without usury as marks of such a person, an ideal expanded in <a href="/bible/wbt/psalms/chapter-24/3">Psalms 24:3-5</a>, closing with the promise that one who does these things shall never be moved, before <a href="/bible/wbt/psalms/chapter-16">Psalms 16</a>.