Psalms 15:5 - Exposition

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 reward against the innocent ; refuses, i.e; to take a bribe, either as judge or witness, when a charge is made against an innocent person. The contrary conduct was widely practised by the Israelites in later times (see Isaiah 1:23 ; Isaiah 5:23 ; Jeremiah 22:17 ; Ezekiel 22:12 ; Hoe. 4:18; Micah 3:11 , etc.), and prevails generally in the East to the present day. He that doeth these things shall never be moved (comp. Psalms 16:8 ). He shall continue "steadfast, unmovable,'' having God "at his right hand," as his Protector and Sustainer.