Psalm 15:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 15:1-5

Here is, I. A very serious and weighty question concerning the characters of a citizen of Zion (Ps. 14:1): ?Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Let me know who shall go to heaven.? Not, who by name (in this way the Lord only knows those that are his), but who by description: ?What kind of people are those whom thou wilt own and crown with distinguishing and everlasting favours?? This supposes that it is a great privilege to be a citizen of Zion, an unspeakable honour and advantage,?that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 15:3

He that backbiteth not with his tongue ,.... Is not a slanderer, a defamer, a tale bearer; a backbiter is one who privately, secretly, behind a man's back speaks evil of him, devours and destroys his credit and reputation: the word here used comes from רגל , which signifies the "foot", and denotes such a person who goes about from house to house, speaking things he should not, 1 Timothy 5:13 ; and a word from this root signifies spies; and the phrase here may point at such persons who... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 15:3

He that backbiteth not with his tongue - לשנו על רגל לא lo ragal al leshono , "he foots not upon his tongue." 4. He is one who treats his neighbor with respect. He says nothing that might injure him in his character, person, or property; he forgets no calumny, he is author of no slander, he insinuates nothing by which his neighbor may be injured. The tongue, because of its slanderous conversation, is represented in the nervous original as kicking about the character of an absent... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 15:3

Verse 3 David, after having briefly set forth the virtues with which all who desire to have a place in the Church ought to be endued, now enumerates certain vices from which they ought to be free. In the first place, he tells them that they must not be slanderers or detractors; secondly, that they must restrain themselves from doing any thing mischievous and injurious to their neighbors; and, thirdly, that they must not aid in giving currency to calumnies and false reports. Other vices, from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 15:1-5

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 15:1-5

The man in undisturbed rest. It matters little when this psalm was written, or by whom. Although there is no reason for denying its Davidic authorship, still its contents are manifestly and equally precious, whoever was the inspired penman, and whenever he penned these words. Manifestly, the psalm is a product of Judaism. £ The Mosaic legislation had its ritual, but it was not ritualistic. There was not only an altar of sacrifice, but also a pillar of testimony and the tables of the Law;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 15:1-5

A life without reproach. In all ages there has been a sense of imperfection, and a longing and a cry for the perfect in human character. The ethical philosophers of Greece and Rome have given us their views; Christian teachers have aimed to set forth, in poetry and prose, their ideals of perfection; but it may be questioned whether anywhere we can find a truer or more beautiful portrait than this by the ancient Jewish poet. It has been said, "Christian chivalry has not drawn a brighter."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 15:1-5

The essentials of a spiritual religion. This psalm is supposed by some to have been written on the removal of the ark to Zion. "As it is not only in David's time that the symbol has been placed above the thing signified, and a superstitious efficacy attached to the externals of worship, this psalm has an equal value in every age in keeping before the mind the great lesson that sanctity of life and truth of heart are the absolute essentials of a spiritual religion." How can we dwell truly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 15:3

He that backbiteth not with his tongue . Among the negative virtues the first place is given to the observance of the ninth commandment, probably because to err in this respect is so very common a fault (see Jeremiah 6:28 ; Jeremiah 9:4 ; James 3:5-8 ). Nor doeth evil to his neighbour; rather, to his friend , or his companion —a different word from that used at the end of the verse, and implying greater intimacy. There is special wickedness in injuring one with whom we are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 15:3

He that backbiteth not with his tongue - The word “backbite” means to censure; slander; reproach; speak evil of. The Hebrew word - רגל râgal - a verb formed from the word foot, means properly “to foot it,” and then “to go about.” Then it means to go about as a tale-bearer or slanderer; to circulate reports unfavorable to others. It is not improperly rendered here “backbite;” and the idea is, that it is essential to true piety that one should “not” be a slanderer, or should “not” circulate evil... read more

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