Psalm 15

Psa 15:1

SUPERSCRIPTION: "A PSALM OF DAVID".

HISTORICAL SETTING: V 1 suggests David bringing the ark to Zion: 2Sa 6. Vv 2-5a strongly suggest his firm resolution and vow not to be a king after the pattern of Saul. Every detail in these verses (except perhaps v 5a) points to a CT with the worst features of Saul's character and reign.

ECHOES OF PSALM 15: All the 9 psalms which follow Psa 15 seem to echo it; but esp Psa 24:3-6, which, like this psalm, is about the bringing of the ark to Zion. Another allusion in Isa 33:14,15, because Hezekiah's reign, like the early days of David, saw a contest between unprincipled men of the world and God's man of faith, who was unable to assert himself.

The ancient rabbi Samlai stated that Moses gave 613 commandments, and that David reduced these to 11 commandments (ie Psa 15). Further, he stated that Isaiah reduced the 11 to 6 (Isa 33:15). What he could not mention, of course, was that Jesus was to summarize all the law in only two commandments (Mat 22:40).

THE MESSIAH: Jesus' "Sermon on Mount" (Mat 5-7) is his extended commentary on Psa 15. "As though white light passes through a prism to be split up into the many colors of the spectrum, so [Psa 15] passed through the inspired mind of Jesus to come out in all this colorful teaching" (CT).

A comparison of Psa 15 and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7):

Psa 15:1: "Who shall dwell?"	Mat 5:3-12: the principles of blessedness
Psa 15:2: "Walketh unrightly"	Mat 5:13-16: "walks in the light"
Psa 15:2: "Worketh righteousness"	Mat 5:17-20: "righteousness exceeds..."
Psa 15:2: "Speaketh truth in heart"	Mat 5:21-6:34: contrasts heart with form
Psa 15:3: "Backbiteth not"	Mat 7:1-5: "Behold not the mote..."
Psa 15:3: "Nor doeth evil"	Mat 5:43-48: "Love your enemies"
Psa 15:4: "Vile person is condemned"	Mat 7:15-23: "By fruits ye shall know them"
Psa 15:4: "Swears to own hurt"	Mat 5:33-37: "Communication: yea... yea..."
Psa 15:5: "Puts not money to usury"	Mat 5:38-42: "Give without reward"
Psa 15:5: "He that doeth... never removed"	Mat 7:24-27: "Doeth... buildeth on rock... will not fall"

WHO MAY DWELL IN YOUR SANCTUARY?: Psa 24:3; 27:4,5; 65:4. But only priests could abide in God's Tabernacle. Then was the primary ref of this psalm to the new High Priest Zadok, appointed when the ark was brought to Zion (see on Psa 133)? In this context, notice all the different body parts mentioned (or implied) in Psa 15, and cp with the priests' ritual dedication of hands, feet, and ears (Lev 8:22-24). In a more general sense, cp the beautiful Psa 87.

WHO MAY LIVE ON YOUR HOLY HILL?: A progression in the 2 questions: "Who shall abide (ie sojourn, temporarily) in tabernacle (ohel = tent)? And who shall dwell (settle) in your holy hill (temple, permanent)?"

Psa 15:2

BLAMELESS: Heb "tamim" really means "perfect", ie whole and complete. Fully dedicated in his religious life (as Abraham: Gen 17:1; Job 1:1). By CT, Saul was a man with but little religious sense.

WHO SPEAKS THE TRUTH FROM HIS HEART: The last phrase implies completely honest thinking, a thing very few can achieve. In all his dealings with David, Saul was a model of self-deception. (CT Psa 12:2; 14:1; Isa 29:13.)

TRUTH: Strong association with the promises of God. David would never have won out through his bitter trials if the promise of God implied in his early anointing (1Sa 16) had not been the treasure of his soul.

Psa 15:3

HAS NO SLANDER ON HIS TONGUE: CT Saul: 1Sa 18:22-29; 19:1; 20:30,31.

HIS NEIGHBOR: Sw 1Sa 28:17: The neighbor whom Saul abused was David, the same neighbor to whom his kingdom would be given!

AND CASTS NO SLUR ON HIS FELLOW MAN: In all generations, this and Exo 23:1a go largely ignored. But to take up a reproach against oneself -- how this is to be encouraged! (In general, see also Pro 17:9; 24:28; Gal 5:15; 1Ti 5:13.)

Psa 15:4

WHO DESPISES A VILE MAN: Instead, Saul had despised the finest man in the nation. But this phrase could read, very differently: Despised is he in his own eyes, worthless. With this cp 2Sa 6:22, and also Luk 18:13. Like Mordecai, he can offer no respect to the vile and haughty "Haman": Est 3:2-6.

BUT HONORS THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD: What a CT with Saul's cold-blooded murder of those who feared God's law (1Sa 22:18)!

WHO KEEPS HIS OATH EVEN WHEN IT HURTS: Yet Saul repeatedly swore no hurt to David, and just as quickly forgot his oaths: 1Sa 19:5,6; 20:2,3; 26:21. As in Lev 27:32,33; Deu 23:21-23. Classic examples of right and wrong reactions: Jephthah in Jdg 11:35; Zedekiah in Eze 17:13-19.

Psa 15:5

WHO LENDS HIS MONEY WITHOUT USURY: The word for 'usurer' also means 'serpent', and usury is the bite of a serpent. Then, are these words a figurative allusion to Saul who feigned to be David's friend (as every real usurer pretends to be), but yet sought to steal what was rightfully his? A remote echo of Gen 3:15 also?

DOES NOT ACCEPT A BRIBE AGAINST THE INNOCENT: Saul's henchman Doeg: note 1Sa 22:7,18. (NT) An obvious prophecy (negatively put) of Judas' 30 pieces of silver (Mat 26:15; Mar 14:11; Luk 22:5; Zec 11:12), and maybe a bribe for Pilate also. Cp 1Ti 6:10. CT Exo 23:8.

HE WHO DOES THESE THINGS WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN: Saul, unstable in character, never felt secure even on his throne. David, who had to flee for his life from Jerusalem, was actually as secure as the temple mount -- even in his most severe trials. The one who abides in mount Zion will become like mount Zion, never to be shaken or removed: Psa 125:1,2; 132:13,14; cp Heb 12:22; 1Jo 2:17; Rev 14:1-3.