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Scott's Reference Library
Psalm 15:1 through Psalm 15:5 (NIV)
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,
4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,
5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSE 1
Here is a very serious question concerning the character of a citizen of Zion.
It is the happiness of glorified saints, that they dwell in the holy hill; they
are at home there, they shall be for ever there. It concerns us to make it sure
to ourselves that we have a place among them. A very plain and particular answer
is here given. Those who desire to know their duty, will find the Scripture a
very faithful director, and conscience a faithful monitor. A citizen of Zion is
sincere in his religion. He is really what he professes to be, and endeavours to
stand complete in all the will of God. He is just both to God and man; and, in
speaking to both, speaks the truth in his heart. He scorns and abhors wrong and
fraud; he cannot reckon that a good bargain, nor a saving one, which is made
with a lie; and knows that he who wrongs his neighbour will prove, in the end,
to have most injured himself. He is very careful to do hurt to no man. He speaks
evil of no man, makes not others’ faults the matter of his common talk; he makes
the best of every body, and the worst of nobody. If an ill-natured story be told
him, he will disprove it if he can; if not, it goes no further. He values men by
their virtue and piety. Wicked people are vile people, worthless, and good for
nothing; so the word signifies. He thinks the worse of no man’s piety for his
poverty and mean condition. He reckons that serious piety puts honour upon a
man, more than wealth, or a great name. He honours such, desires their
conversation and an interest in their prayers, is glad to show them respect, or
do them a kindness. By this we may judge of ourselves in some measure. Even wise
and good men may swear to their own hurt: but see how strong the obligation is,
a man must rather suffer loss to himself and his family, than wrong his
neighbour. He will not increase his estate by extortion, or by bribery. He will
not, for any gain, or hope of it to himself, do any thing to hurt a righteous
cause. Every true living member of the church, like the church itself, is built
upon a Rock. He that doeth these things shall not be moved for ever. The grace
of God shall always be sufficient for him. The union of these tempers and this
conduct, can only spring from repentance for sin, faith in the Saviour, and love
to him. In these respects let us examine and prove our own selves.