Psalm 15

Who May Dwell with the LORD?

O LORD, who may dwell in your tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? Those who walk with integrity, do what is right, and speak truth from the heart; who do not slander with their tongue, do no harm to others, and do not heap shame on their neighbors; in whose eyes the contemptible are rejected, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who keep their word even when it costs them; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be shaken.

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Notes

Translation notes for Psalm 15.

v01

The psalm opens with a question of access. Dwelling in the tent and living on the holy mountain evoke both worship and daily life, framing holiness as a way of being rather than a momentary ritual act.

v02

Integrity, justice, and truthful speech are presented as interconnected practices. Faithfulness is not divided between belief and behavior but understood as a unified posture of life.

v03

The focus on speech and social harm highlights the communal dimension of righteousness. Words are treated as moral actions that can either preserve or fracture relationships.

v04

Honor and discernment are held together. The psalm rejects status based on power or appearance and instead centers faithfulness, reliability, and reverence as markers of a trustworthy life.

v05

Economic justice is named explicitly. Refusing exploitative lending and corrupt advantage reflects a commitment to protecting the vulnerable and maintaining communal trust. Stability is promised not as reward but as the natural outcome of a life ordered toward justice.

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Vocabulary

Selected source-language vocabulary for Psalm 15.

v01

שָׁכַן (shākan) / dwell: Language of settled presence and belonging. The term conveys sustained relationship rather than temporary access or occasional visitation.

v01

גּוּר (gūr) / live: To reside as one who remains. The word emphasizes continuity and commitment rather than brief proximity.

v02

תָּמִים (tāmîm) / integrity: Wholeness or completeness of life. Integrity here describes alignment between inner character and outward action rather than flawlessness.

v02

אֱמֶת (ʾĕmet) / truth: Reliability and faithfulness expressed in speech and action. Truth is rooted in trustworthiness rather than mere factual accuracy.

v03

רָכִיל (rākîl) / slander: Speech that circulates harm within a community. The term highlights the destructive social power of words.

v04

יָרֵא (yārēʾ) / fear: Reverent attentiveness to the Holy One. This fear is relational and orienting, shaping how one evaluates honor, loyalty, and trust.

v05

נֶשֶׁךְ (nešek) / interest: Lending practices that exploit vulnerability. The word reflects economic arrangements that undermine equity and communal care.

v05

שֹׁחַד (šōḥad) / bribe: Corrupt exchange that distorts justice and protects wrongdoing. The term signals systemic moral failure rather than isolated misconduct.

v05

מוֹט (môṭ) / shaken: A metaphor for instability and collapse. The psalm contrasts moral rootedness with a life easily unsettled by pressure or crisis.

v01

שָׁכַן (shākan)

“To dwell.” The verb describes settled presence or residence.

v02

אֱמֶת (ʾĕmet)

“Truth; faithfulness.” Reliability expressed in speech and action.

v04

יָרֵא (yārēʾ)

“To fear; revere.” Here the term describes reverence toward the LORD.

v05

שֹׁחַד (šōḥad)

“Bribe.” A payment that corrupts or distorts judgment.