Chapter 15
- 1
- 1 2 A psalm of David. LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain?
- 2
- IWhoever walks without blame, doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart;
- 3
- Who does not slander a neighbor, does no harm to another, never defames a friend;
- 4
- Who disdains the wicked, but honors those who fear the LORD; Who keeps an oath despite the cost,
- 5
- 3 lends no money at interest, accepts no bribe against the innocent. III Whoever acts like this shall never be shaken.
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1 [Psalm 15] The psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the temple court (cf Psalm 24:3-6; Isaiah 33:14b-16). The Israelite wishing to be admitted had to ask the temple official what conduct was appropriate to God's precincts. Note the emphasis on virtues relating to one's neighbor.
2 [1] Your tent . . . your holy mountain: the temple could be referred to as "tent" (Psalm 61:5; Isaiah 33:20), a reference to the tent of the wilderness period and the tent of David (2 Sam 6:17; 7:2), predecessors of the temple. Holy mountain: a venerable designation of the divine abode (Psalm 2:6; 3:5; 43:3; 48:2 etc.).
3 [5] Lends no money at interest: lending money in the Old Testament was often seen as assistance to the poor in their distress, not as an investment; making money off the poor by charging interest was thus forbidden (Exodus 22:24; Lev 25:36-37; Deut 23:20).
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