PSALM 15

 

Psalm 15

 

1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?   Who may live on your holy mountain?

 

          David asks himself and his reader’s two questions.  The first is who may dwell in the sacred tent or the tabernacle?  The tabernacle was where the presence, purity, sacredness, holiness, authority and power of God resided.  So who can dwell or even abide in such a place?  Who can receive the full pardon from their sin, salvation and redemption it brings?  Who can get the mercy, grace and forgiveness of God?    David had brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem after it had been away or not with the people in a visible way.  When they brought it they stopped every 18 feet and made a sacrifice.  From the home of Ebed edom to Mount Moriah they sacrificed 3708 times. 

     The next question who can live on your holy hill?  David said he would rather be a gatekeeper at the house of God than 1000 years somewhere else.  David’s own palace was a couple hundred yards away from the tabernacle.  He could see it when he wrote this psalm which was written near the end of his life.  David was a worshipper and He loved God’s house.  He is a role model for what a true child of God should look like.  David was a man after God’s own heart and we should make that our goal. 

 

David then gives a list of twelve things he thinks are criteria for a godly life.  So we will call them David’s twelve rules for life.  Recently Jordan Peterson wrote a book called 12 rules for life and then wrote a follow up.  Ben Franklin had his 13 rules for life.  These are David’s.  I think I would rather have David’s because they are  based on the revelation of God.  These are also fruit of a godly life.  These are out growths of a life centered on God. 

 

•       The one whose walk is blameless.  You cannot attach blame, slander, accusation or shame on one who walks blameless.  You are innocent of blame.  You are a person of integrity.  You live above reproach or suspicion.  Daniel was such a man.  Dare to be a Daniel.  You are walking in love acceptance and forgiveness.  You are living for God and you remember you have an audience of one.  Your private world and public world are the same.  Your thoughts, words and deeds are influenced by the word of God and prayer.  You care only for what God thinks and lived accordingly.  You are not influenced, controlled or subject to popularity, fame, fortune or things.  You know you are called to be an example.  Your life speaks about your faith.  You show others your faith by what you do.  Your walk backs up your talk. 

 

•       Who does what is righteous.  Righteous means a person or conduct) morally right or justifiable; virtuous, good or excellent.  One of the compound names of God is Jehovah Tsidkenu which means the Lord the righteous one.  Being righteous is a communicated godly attribute.  You get its fullness when you come to Christ.  It means right thinking, attitude, motives, speech and actions.  You want to be right with God and man.  This is your aim and goal every moment.  You live as Jesus could come back at any moment.  You think Phil 4:8, 8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  You know actions will follow what we think.  David begins with action.

 

•       Who speaks the truth from their heart.  Paul clarifies it by saying speak the truth in love.  You speak the truth.  You live the state or quality of truthfulness.  You share God’s word.  You tell others about Jesus that He is the way, the truth and the life.  Truth is part of your DNA.  You speak from your heart.  There is no agenda or selfish motives.  You want the best for others.  Honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability are your aims and goals.  You speak the truth in love.  Your truth is patient, kind, does not dishonor, not self seeking, angry, wrongful, evil, desires to protect, build trust and hope.  You know that truth must be given but in such a way that will best help the person you are speaking too.  You use truth as a balm of Gilead to heal not as a bullet or sword to kill and destroy. 

 

•       Whose tongue utters no slander.  Slander is known as oral or spoken defamation, slander is the legal term for the act of harming a person's reputation by telling one or more other people something that is untrue and damaging about that person.  In Proverbs 6:16-19, Solomon says that slander is sinful and God considers it an abomination.  Never say something about someone unless it positive, uplifting and encouraging.  Little rule of thumb concerning social media.  Never post something you will regret later.  People have asked me over the years how do you deal with slander?  First, do not try to defend yourself.  It makes you look more guilty or petty.  Secondly, never slander someone back.  Thirdly, keep quiet unless a job or friendship is at stake them speak the truth nothing more and keep to the facts.  Fourthly, let God defend you.  Remember the truth always comes out later.  When you live the truth your true friends will believe you over the slander. 

 

•       Who does no wrong to a neighbor.  A neighbor is a friend, associate, someone you care about.  Your neighbor is anyone you come into contact with.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  You are to love others as you love yourself.  Jesus said people will know we are His disciples by the way we love one another.  Here are nine things you can do to treat others better.

 

•       Instead of judging people by their past, stand by them and help them build their future. Treat them with respect and make their journey your own.

•       Listen with curiosity, speak with candor, and act with integrity.

•       Treat everyone with kindness--not because they are kindhearted, but because you are.

•       Don't try to make yourself great by making someone else look small.

•       Remember, everyone has a story. Withhold judgment and instead offer the consideration you'd like to receive.

•       We don't meet people by accident. Every person you meet will have a role in your life, be it big or small. Some will help you grow, some will hurt you, some will inspire you to do better.

•       The best teachers are those who don't tell you how to get there but show the way.

•       Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up.

•       Appreciate those who have supported you, forgive those who have hurt you, help those who need you.  Treat people the way you want to be treated and life will instantly get better.  Remember you reap what you sow.

 

Treat people like you want to be treated is a good way at looking at this thought

 

•       Casts no slur on others.  A slur is an insinuation or allegation about someone that is likely to insult them.  You are careful what you say and how you say it.  You measure your speech.  Insults are caused by three things,  Jealousy, insecurity and lack of understanding.  God has given you the ability to successfully deal with these.  He has freed you from them in Christ.  He has given you love, security and self control.  There is no reason to insult others.  Who the Son sets free is free indeed.  David says that those who practice these things.  Those who dwell in the tabernacle of God and live on the Holy Hill will not be shaken.  You have built your life on the rock Christ Jesus and no matter what comes your way you will not be shaken because you are centered on the Lord.  James gives us a wonderful way to handle the temptation to slander or insult someone.  Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  Your zinger insult will not accomplish what you want unless you are totally heartless.  Instead choose to make a difference.