The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 15:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

So much having been said in so many psalms of the privileges and blessings accorded to the righteous man (Psalms 1:3; Psalms 3:8; Psalms 5:11, Psalms 5:12; 4:9,12, 18; Psalms 10:17, Psalms 10:18; Psalms 11:7, etc.), the arrangers of this book thought it fitting to insert in this place a definition, or description, of who the righteous man is. They found a "psalm of David" (see title) in which such a description was set forth with singular force and brevity. The psalm is one of five verses. In the first verse the question is raised; the remaining four give the answer, which is arranged in two strophes of two verses each, the first verse of each strophe declaring the character of the righteous man positively, and the second verse negatively. The result is that five positive and five negative features are pointed out, by which the righteous man may be known. There is nothing to indicate at what period in David's life this psalm was composed, except that it was after the establishment of the tabernacle on Mount Zion (Psalms 15:1).

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 15:1-5Here is a very serious question concerning the character of a citizen of Zion. It is the happiness of glorified saints, that they dwell in the holy hill; they are at home there, they shall be for ever there. It concerns…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 15:1Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? rather, Who shall sojourn? Whom wilt thou accept as a sojourner in thy tent, to be near to thee, and consort with thee? Who shall dwell (i.e. whom wilt thou permit to dwell) in t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 15:1-5The essentials of a spiritual religion. This psalm is supposed by some to have been written on the removal of the ark to Zion. "As it is not only in David's time that the symbol has been placed above the thing signified…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 15:1-5The man in undisturbed rest. It matters little when this psalm was written, or by whom. Although there is no reason for denying its Davidic authorship, still its contents are manifestly and equally precious, whoever was…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 15:1-5A life without reproach. In all ages there has been a sense of imperfection, and a longing and a cry for the perfect in human character. The ethical philosophers of Greece and Rome have given us their views; Christian t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 15:2He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness. An upright walk is the first requisite (comp. Genesis 17:1; Psalms 26:3, Psalms 26:11; Isaiah 33:15). Such a walk involves the doing of righteousness, not, of course…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 15:3He that backbiteth not with his tongue. Among the negative virtues the first place is given to the observance of the ninth commandment, probably because to err in this respect is so very common a fault (see Jeremiah 6:2…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 15:4In whose eyes a vile person is contemned. So the LXX; the Vulgate, Ewald, Hupfeld, Hengstenberg, and the Revised Version. Others prefer to translate, "He is despised in his own eyes, [and] worthless" (Abort Ezra, Hitzig…Joseph S. Exell and contributors