Verse 1
PSALM 15
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS (A PSALM OF DAVID).
The question and answer format of this psalm has led to some rather fanciful notions on the part of commentators regarding the possible use of it in the temple ceremonies. Kidner believed that it might have been, "Modeled on what took place in certain sanctuaries of the ancient world."[1] When a group of worshippers approached the temple, the worshippers raised the question of who should be admitted, and the priest responded with a list of requirements.
There was a variation of this ancient practice enacted upon the occasion of the burial of Frederick the Great of Germany. As the funeral cortege approached the ancient Church of the Capuchin where the deceased monarch was to be buried, a crier from the tower cried out "Who Comes here?"
The response: "His Majesty Frederick the Great, Emperor of Germany, Prince of Bavaria, Protector and Benefactor of Mankind."
The crier said, "I know him not."
Again, he asked, "Who comes here?"
This time the reply was, "His Majesty Frederick the Great."
"I know him not," was the answer from the tower.
"Who comes here,?" was the third challenge; and this time the reply was "Frederick, a sinful man." "Enter," was the response from the tower.
The notion that this psalm owes anything at all to such customs is rejected here. We believe that Leupold's comment on this is correct.
"This interpretation offers nothing that is either sound or helpful. The chief objection to such an interpretation would appear to be that, as hundreds of groups approached the temple, this psalm would have been rendered hundreds of times a day to the point of deadening monotony; and, besides that, there is nothing whatever that indicates any such liturgical use of it."[2]
It appears that Dummelow's opinion that the setting of this psalm is in the times, "Of the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem" (2 Samuel 6:16)[3] is as good a guess as any, since it is also accepted by a number of other scholars.
Maclaren labeled the requirements of the "man of God" in this passage, "As almost wholly negative";[4] but as Rawlinson pointed out, "There are five positive and five negative features given by which the righteous man may be known."[5] These are listed below.
"Jehovah, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?"
The question here is of the utmost importance, It does not mean, "What is his name, or who shall sojourn in God's tabernacle? but "What kind of person shall be so entitled?" The broader meaning of the question was stated by Barnes. This is the most important question that can come before the human mind. It is a question of, `Who is religious?' `Who will enter heaven?' `Who will be saved?'[6]
"Tabernacle." This word means tent, and throughout the Old Testament it is the word that referred to God's dwelling place, where he had recorded his name, and where he promised to meet and to bless the people. The alternative reading tent is usually given in the margin of most versions.
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