Psalm 15:2-5

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 15:2

He that walketh uprightly ,.... Or "perfectly" F5 ותמים "perfectus", Montanus, Gejerus, ; see Genesis 17:1 ; not so as to be without sin entirely, but as not to be chargeable with any notorious crime, and living in it; moreover, perfection and uprightness often signify sincerity, and the phrase here may design an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile; whose faith is unfeigned, whose love is without dissimulation, whose hope is without hypocrisy, and his whole conduct without fraud... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 15:4

In whose eyes a vile person is contemned ,.... A "vile" man is a very wicked, profligate, and abandoned creature, one that is to every good work reprobate; and such sometimes are in high places, Psalm 12:8 ; and are greatly caressed and esteemed by the men of the world; but then, as they are an abomination to God, they should be despised by his people, let them be what they will as to their riches, honours, and wisdom among men; as Haman was by Mordecai, Esther 3:2 ; and Ahab by Elisha, ... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 15:2

He that walketh uprightly - תמים הולך holech tamim , 1. He walks perfectly. Who sets God before his eyes, takes his word for the rule of his conduct, considers himself a sojourner on earth, and is continually walking to the kingdom of God. He acts according to the perfections of God's law; he has respect to all its parts, and feels the weight and importance of all its injunctions. And worketh righteousness - 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 15:4

In whose eves a vile person is contemned - read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 15:5

Putteth not out his money to usury - read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 15:2

Verse 2 2.He that walketh in integrity. Here we should mark, that in the words there is an implied contrast between the vain boasting of those who are only the people of God in name, or who make only a bare profession of being so, which consists in outward observances, and this indubitable and genuine evidence of true godliness which David commends. But it might be asked, As the service of God takes precedence of the duties of charity towards our neighbors, why is there no mention here made of... read more

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