Immovable: Help for Imperfect People (Ps 15)

Read Psalm 15:

A Psalm of David.

¹ 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.

Understand Psalm 15:

A.    The Ask: Who Can Worship? (v. 1)

God’s tent describe the tabernacle where Israel worshiped him and God’s holy hill depicts the temple mount atop Jerusalem. So David asks, “Who can worship in God’s holy presence or brazenly squat inside his house?” (see v. 1). As we might ask today, “Who can go to heaven? To whom belongs eternal life?”

B.    The Answer: Only Perfect People (vv. 2-5b)

David then answers his own question: “You are only qualified to worship in God’s house if you are blameless in your walk, righteous in your work, and sinless in your words” (see v. 2). The godly believer shows integrity in his relationships by loving his neighbor and staying loyal to his friends (v. 3). He also despises the vile and honors those who fear the Lord (vv. 4a-b). He always keeps his promises (v. 4c) and puts others before his love of money (vv. 5a-b). Only the one who does this perfectly will be permitted to enter God’s holy presence. Such perfection may seem impossible, yet this Psalm remains a promise for the redeemed who trust in Yahweh (vv. 1, 4).

C.     The Addendum: Jesus Makes Us Perfect (v. 5c)

Jesus alone was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Heb 4:14-16). He was blameless in his walk, righteous in his work, and sinless in his words. He never lied either in his heart or in his speech. He did not slander others though he himself was slandered. He did no evil to his neighbor though they nailed him to a cross and he refused to reproach his friends though they abandoned him at his arrest (1 Pet 2:22-24). Jesus perfectly knew the hearts of men and could discern the wicked from those who feared the Lord. He always kept his promises—even to his own hurt and he never changed his course though it cost him his life (Luke 9:51). He did not come to exploit the poor, but “to proclaim good news” (4:18-19; see Isa 61:1-3). Jesus fulfilled Psalm 15 to perfection as the only man who never staggered.

Believers today can access these same promises in Jesus Christ, for the righteous are immovable and eternally secure. Our feet will never slip (Ps 17:5) and our lives will not be shaken (21:7; 62:2; Isa 54:10). As Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:1-2; see 3:23-24). In our own strength, we could never live out the requirements of Psalm 15, but in Christ Jesus we have been justified by faith. Christ’s perfect obedience was credited to us when he took our sin and gave to us his righteousness (Rom 5:19). We can truly worship God by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal 2:16).

Apply Psalm 15:

1. Study the significance of the tabernacle in Jewish worship. Why does David use the images of both “tent” and “holy hill” (v. 1)? What limits man’s access to God today?
2. If you were to stand before God, what reason would you give to enter into his holy presence? Why should he grant you eternal life?
3. Review each of David’s stipulations for true worshipers (vv. 2a-5b). In what ways have you fallen short this past week? Take time to confess your sins before the Lord (1 John 1:5-10).
4. Are you living a life above reproach? Do you speak the truth both in your heart and with your words when interacting with others? What about your entertainment patterns, social media influences, and choice of friends? How will you prepare yourself spiritually before the next time you worship?
5. What principles have you established to steward your finances in a way that both glorifies God and honors your fellow man? How can you leverage your resources to enact justice for the poor? Decide on one habitual practice to free yourself from the love of money.
6. Why is it impossible for imperfect people to keep God’s perfect standard (Rom 3)? Read Romans 5 and describe how Jesus Christ, the only perfect man, made us righteous through justification. What does it mean that you will not be moved, forever (Ps 15:5c)?

Pray Psalm 15:

1. Lord, hear my prayer before your heavenly throne (v. 1).

2. Help me to be truly honest in all I think, say, and do (v. 2).
3. Grant me a sincere love for other people (v. 3) and the wisdom to discern their motives (v. 4).
4. Forgive me when I talk too much (out of pride) or too little (out of fear), for words that are harsh and cutting, or gossip that is hurtful. Purify my words through your Holy Spirit and your holy Word (Ps 139:23-24).
5. Remove any greed and materialism from my heart (v. 5). Help me to love the poor by the way I steward your resources.

Counsel Psalm 15:

Every one of us must be saturated with the gospel because we daily fall short of God’s glorious perfection (Rom 3:23). Challenge those who are self-reliant to see their need for a sinless Savior and comfort those who are self-hating with the gracious gift of Christ’s salvation.