20 Who May Dwell in the House of the LORD?

Psalm 15

1 A Psalm of David. O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
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; 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
.  (ESV)

Who may become part of the Church (Is. 33:15-16; Psalm 24:3-4).

David teaches us that there were two groups in Israel: The Workers of Iniquity and The Righteous. Today the Church is the righteous generation, as spoken of in Mal. 3:16 and Heb. 12 from verse 9. In Habakuk 2:4 the prophet names one requirement – faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 15 is not a prescription for getting saved, but a description of how saved people ought to live to please God and have fellowship with Him. Our walk, work and words will constantly please Him.

  1. Seek God’s Presence (vv 1-4).
    David’s great desire was to be with God forever in His presence.

  2. Obey God’s Precepts (vv 2-5a).
    When our lives please God, then:
    a. Our Characters will be Blameless – completely loyal to God.
    b. Our Conduct will be Righteous.
    Honesty – we cannot be sucked into a culture of dishonesty (asking exorbitant interests and taking bribes).
    c. Our Conversation will be Truthful.
    In sincerity build wholesome relationships and fight deception.

  3. Trust God’s Promise (v 5b).
    The godly has security in Christ and need not be afraid of violent shaking.
    Nothing will pluck you out of His hand (1 John 2:17).