시편 Chapter 15

Translation: ESV

1

O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

Key Message

Approaching God's presence is not a mere ritual act but requires substantial change in life — worship must flow into life.

▸Psalm 15 is an 'entrance liturgy' for worship entry in the temple, beginning with a question about what qualifications are required for those who come to the temple.

Psalm 15 is an 'entrance liturgy' for worship entry in the temple, beginning with a question about what qualifications are required for those who come to the temple. The 'tent' (ohel) and 'holy hill' refer to the place of God's presence, and 'sojourning' means not a simple visit but ongoing fellowship. This question earnestly asks what kind of life is required to enter God's presence.

Related Verses

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
2

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;

Key Message

The qualification to approach God's presence lies not in external ritual but in blameless life and inner truthfulness.

▸These are the first characteristics of the one who may approach the temple: blameless conduct, doing what is right, and inner truthfulness.

3

who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

Key Message

The use of language — especially speech about neighbors — is a core area of spiritual life, and those who approach God's presence must control their tongue.

▸This verse presents three negative requirements regarding the use of language and relationships with neighbors: not slandering, not doing evil, not taking up a reproach.

4

in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Key Message

Moral discernment and keeping promises even at personal cost are marks of the life of one who fears God.

▸The righteous person's moral discernment appears: despising the vile (wicked) and honoring those who fear the LORD.

5

who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

Key Message

The practice of economic and legal justice is a characteristic of the life of those who approach God's presence, and those who live such a life shall never be moved.

▸Two requirements concerning economic and legal justice arise: not lending at interest (prohibition of exploiting the poor) and refusing bribes (upholding legal justice).