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Matthew Henry

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 15:5

He that putteth not out his money to usury ,.... To the poor, in an extravagant and exorbitant way, by which he bites, devours, and destroys his little substance, and sadly afflicts and distresses him; see Exodus 22:25 ; otherwise, to lend money on moderate interest, and according to the laws, customs, and usages of nations, and to take interest for it, is no more unlawful than to take interest for houses and land; yea, it is according to the law of common justice and equity, that if one... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 15:5

Verse 5 In this verse David enjoins the godly neither to oppress their neighbors by usury, nor to suffer themselves to be corrupted with bribes to favor unrighteous causes. With respect to the first clause, as David seems to condemn all kinds of usury in general, and without exception, the very name has been every where held in detestation. But crafty men have invented specious names under which to conceal the vice; and thinking by this artifice to escape, they have plundered with greater... read more

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 15:5

He that putteth not out his money to usury . Usury, when one Israelite borrowed of another, was strictly forbidden by the Law ( Exodus 22:25 ; Le Exodus 25:36 ; Deuteronomy 23:19 ). When the borrower was a foreigner, it was lawful ( Deuteronomy 15:3 ; Deuteronomy 33:20 ); and no discredit can attach to the practice, so long as the rate of interest charged is moderate (comp. Matthew 25:27 ). Here the writer contemplates only such usury as was forbidden by the Law. Nor taketh... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 15:5

He that putteth not out his money to usury - The word “usury” formerly denoted legal interest, or a premium for the use of money. In this sense the word is no longer used in our language, but it always now denotes unlawful interest; “a premium or compensation paid, or stipulated to be paid, for the use of money borrowed or retained, beyond the rate of interest established by law.” “Webster.” The Hebrew word used here - נשׁך neshek - means “interest,” that is, a premium or compensation for the... read more

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