> [[psalm-14|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-16|Next →]] --- # Psalm 15 ## The Righteous Israelite 1 A psalm of David. ^psalm-15-1 ### I LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? ### II 2 Whoever walks without blame, ^psalm-15-2 doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart; 3 Who does not slander with his tongue, ^psalm-15-3 does no harm to a friend, never defames a neighbor; 4 Who disdains the wicked, ^psalm-15-4 but honors those who fear the LORD; Who keeps an oath despite the cost, 5 lends no money at interest, ^psalm-15-5 accepts no bribe against the innocent. ### III Whoever acts like this shall never be shaken. \* (Psalm 15) The Psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the Temple court (cf. ([[psalm-24|Ps 24]]:3] – [6]; [Is 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. \* (15:1) Your tent: the Temple could be referred to as “tent” ([Ps 61:5]; [Is 33:20]), a reference to the tent of the wilderness period and the tent of David ([2 Sm 6:17]; [7:2]), predecessors of the Temple. Holy mountain: a venerable designation of the divine abode (([[psalm-02|Ps 2]]:6]; [3:5]; [43:3]; [48:2], etc.). \* (15:5) 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|Ex 22]]:24]; [Lv 25:36] – [37]; [Dt 23:20]). a. (15:1) [Is 56:7]. b. (15:2) [Ps 119:1]. c. (15:5) ([[exodus-22|Ex 22]]:24]; [23:8]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-14|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-16|Next →]]