A Study of Psalm 15

Understanding the Questions & How This Applies to Us “Who may abide in Your tabernacle?” –Abide = “sojourn” (temporary in scope) –Tabernacle = movable/portable tent of meeting “Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” –Dwell = permanency in view –Holy hill = temple built on Mt. Moriah (Mt. Zion) Application for Us –Tabernacle = O.T. type for the church –Temple/Zion = O.T. type for heaven –We abide/sojourn with the Lord in the church while on earth –Ultimately, we will dwell with Him permanently in heaven on high

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity –Man’s sojourn/pilgrimage on earth is a walk –Has accepted that he cannot direct his own steps (cf. Jer. 10:23), but has committed fully to follow God –Has put off the old man of sin, no longer to reign (Rom. 6:12; Col. 3:9), and is living by faith in God (Gal. 2:20) –Loyal to the revealed will of God and “walks in the law of the Lord” (Psa. 119:1)

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right –Not interested in what is popular = right in other’s eyes –Not interested in what feels good = right in own eyes –Only interested in one standard = right in God’s eyes (cf. Psa. 119:172) –Makes it his #1 priority – Matt. 6:33 –This is a lifestyle, not an occasional act  “It’s always right to do right…”

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart –What he is outwardly is what he is inwardly (cf. Isa 29:13) –He knows that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34-35). –He guards his heart (Prov. 4:23), setting it on purity, goodness, kindness and truth, so that is what comes out

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart Does not backbite/slander with his tongue –Refuses to “go around” (background of the word), spying things out and spreading around –Embedded in the term is:  Cowardice = fear saying to their face  Brutality = maliciously massacre character –Knows there is no place for gossips/ talebearers/busybodies in the church (1 Tim. 5:13; 1 Pet. 4:15)

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart Does not backbite/slander with his tongue Does not do evil to his neighbor/another –Recognizes at least two overriding principles of godly treatment of others:  “Love your neighbor” is commanded (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39), fulfills the law (Gal. 5:14) and will allow no harm (Rom. 13:9-10).  “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matt. 7:12) – The Golden Rule!

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart Does not backbite/slander with his tongue Does not do evil to his neighbor/another Does not take up a reproach against friend –Avoids initiating & carrying/repeating “rumors” –Does not make another’s faults or misfortunes the object of discussion, ridicule or sarcasm –Knows that “hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins” (Prov. 10:12) – Golden Rule again –“Is it true? Will it do good to tell if it is true?”

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart Does not backbite/slander with his tongue Does not do evil to his neighbor/another Does not take up a reproach against friend Despises a vile/reprobate person –A person who is morally filthy/worthless –While they are often glamorized, we are to disdain them, avoid them (Eph. 5:11) and abhor/hate their ways (Ps. 119:104; Rom. 12:9). –Despise for their evil and the damage it can do.

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart Does not backbite/slander with his tongue Does not do evil to his neighbor/another Does not take up a reproach against friend Despises a vile/reprobate person Honors those who fear the Lord –Respects, esteems highly and extends fervent fellowship to those who revere & obey the Lord –The dweller with God hates sin, but he loves righteousness & those who practice it (Pr. 15:9).

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart Does not backbite/slander with his tongue Does not do evil to his neighbor/another Does not take up a reproach against friend Despises a vile/reprobate person Honors those who fear the Lord Swears to his own hurt and does not change –Keeps his word, even at personal sacrifice/loss –He will take the “hurt” rather than give to another

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart Does not backbite/slander with his tongue Does not do evil to his neighbor/another Does not take up a reproach against friend Despises a vile/reprobate person Honors those who fear the Lord Swears to his own hurt and does not change Uses and receives his money properly –Not take advantage of another’s misfortune or innocence –Always fair, merciful and compassionate in these matters

Approved to Dwell in the Presence of God Walks uprightly/blamelessly/with integrity Works righteousness/does what is right Speaks the truth in his heart Does not backbite/slander with his tongue Does not do evil to his neighbor/another Does not take up a reproach against friend Despises a vile/reprobate person Honors those who fear the Lord Swears to his own hurt and does not change Does not put out his money at interest Does not take a bribe against the innocent

No Greater Assurance from God “He who does [all] these things” will: –Abide in the Lord’s tabernacle/church while on earth –Dwell in the Lord’s holy hill/heaven for eternity –Never be moved (v. 5)  Nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:35-39).  “Make your call and election sure” and “you will never stumble” (2 Pet. 1:5-11).

Be Approved By God to Dwell in His Presence Now & in Eternity Believe Jesus is God’s Son – Acts 16:31 Repent of your sins – Acts 2:38 Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9 Be immersed in water – Mark 16:16 –Sins are forgiven – Acts 22:16 –Added to His church – Acts 2:47 –Registered in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 Walk uprightly & do what’s right – Psalm 15