Psalm 15

From: Short Meditations on the Psalms: Chiefly in Their Prophectic Character By: John Gifford Bellett

Psalm 15 • 1 min. read • grade level: 10

This little Psalm seems to present the righteous in the days of “the fool,” the Remnant in the time of the last apostate faction.

Psalm 15:2-5²He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. ³He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. ⁴In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. ⁵He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:2‑5) may be read as the divine oracle replying to the prophet’s inquiry in Psalm 15:1¹<<A Psalm of David.>> Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (Psalm 15:1).

It is not the sinner’s title to the kingdom which is here discussed. That would be treated very differently. It is the Remnant, as manifesting themselves in righteousness, in contrast with the evil doers of Psalm 14. See the same thing in Isaiah 33:15-16¹⁵He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; ¹⁶He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:15‑16).

It is character and not title that is the subject. Of course it need not be said, that the title of all is one and the same—the worthy and accepted blood of Jesus.

NOTE—This Psalm may he considered as closing a series of meditations and experiences which opened with Psalm 11. For they are all the utterances of a soul burdened with a sense of the wickedness of the day, and calling with desire on God—and as clearly and surely the last days are contemplated, and those utterances are of the Remnant then.

The challenge in Psalm 15:1¹<<A Psalm of David.>> Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (Psalm 15:1) may bring to mind similar language in Psalm 24:3³Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? (Psalm 24:3). But there the answer given to it, at the close of the Psalm, introduces Messiah Himself much more distinctly and personally than it does here. By this I am also reminded of Revelation 5:2²And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (Revelation 5:2). For we have a challenge there likewise. “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” And the glorious answer there given again introduces Messiah, only in still fuller and richer and sublimer characters, as the Lamb that had been slain, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

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