Psalms 15:1-16:11

15:1 | Tabernacle and holy hill are interchangeable terms that indicate the dwelling place of God and descriptively express intimate fellowship with God (43:3; Ex. 40:34-35; Joel 3:17). Abide refers to a temporary condition; dwell is a permanent position. The two words suggest a progression from guest to full-time resident in the presence of God. These questions speak not only of being at home with God on earth but also in heaven.

15:2-5 | Those who live according to these verses shall never be moved. In other words, they will be stable, solid, God-honoring citizens in this world who have nothing to fear. Lives forged in integrity are reinforced as if with steel (2 Pet. 1:10).

15:2 | Uprightly (sometimes translated “integrity”) conveys the idea of something that is whole, or wholehearted, and sound. The term righteousness is fundamental to OT morality and shows that one is in right standing with God and with fellow humans. Truth means what is right and trustworthy, not merely correct (Eph. 4:25).

15:3-4 | Backbite is the word for slander, which means “to wander about on the tongue” and pictures one who walks here and there, pouring out verbal venom and poisoning others behind their backs. The vile person is literally a “worthless reprobate,” someone who is totally disinterested in spiritual things.

15:5 | The Israelites were prohibited from charging fellow Israelites usury (excessive interest on a loan), but it was acceptable with Gentiles. A bribe perverts justice or corrupts conduct.

16:1-2 | These verses include three different names for God: Elohim (the powerful creator God), Yahweh (the covenant-giving God), and Adonai (the Lord and Master of life). David saw in all these names the personal presence of God in his life. My goodness speaks of the psalmist’s welfare, not his character.

16:4 | David had seen the idols of Moab and Philistia, and he had heard about his own people’s history of idolatry. The principles of God’s holiness kept him from giving in to the same temptations.

16:5 | The word lot means circumstances, or the place God has put a person. People do well to recognize, as David did, the daily provisions of God.

16:10 | Sheol is the abode of the dead or the grave. Holy One (“Faithful One”) points prophetically to Jesus’ future resurrection (Acts 2:27; 13:35).