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A song of David.

15 Lord, who can live in your Holy Tent[a]?
    Who can live on your holy mountain?
Only those who live pure lives, do what is right,
    and speak the truth from their hearts.
Such people don’t say bad things about others.
    They don’t do things to hurt their neighbors.
    They don’t tell shameful things about those close to them.
They hate those who fail to please God
    and honor those who respect the Lord.
If they make a promise to their neighbor,
    they do what they promised.[b]
If they loan money to someone,
    they do not charge them interest.
And they refuse to testify against an innocent person,
    even if someone offers them money to do it.

Whoever lives like this will always stand strong.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 15:1 Holy Tent The special tent where the people of Israel worshiped God. Here, it is probably the Temple on the “holy mountain” (see “Zion” in the Word List) in Jerusalem.
  2. Psalm 15:4 If they … promised Or “They promised not to do bad things, and they do not do bad things.”

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

Lord, who may dwell(A) in your sacred tent?(B)
    Who may live on your holy mountain?(C)

The one whose walk is blameless,(D)
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth(E) from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,(F)
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
    but honors(G) those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath(H) even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;(I)
    who does not accept a bribe(J) against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.(K)

15 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

The Character of Those Who May Dwell with the Lord

A Psalm of David.

15 Lord, (A)who may [a]abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the (B)truth in his heart;
He who (C)does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
(D)Nor does he [b]take up a reproach against his friend;
(E)In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He who (F)swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things (G)shall never be moved.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 15:1 sojourn
  2. Psalm 15:3 receive