Explanation: Psalm 15 was written, as shown by verse 1, sometime after the Ark was placed in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem (c. 1002 B.C., 2 Samuel 6:17). In the Psalm David describes the character and the actions of a righteous person in terms of what he does and what he does not do. These characteristics are a good summary of some of the key requirements of the Mosaic Laws. They focus on community life. Their central importance is shown by the fact that these (and other) laws of community life continue into the New Testament, even though the purity laws and the sacrificial laws do not. The reward for the righteous is to dwell with the LORD in his "Holy Hill" of Zion, which refers to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is depicted imaginatively in the image above.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 2 Samuel 6:1-19. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Suzanne Haik-Vantoura PDF Scores: Bible. Psalms - Volume 1: 1-70. Psalms - Volume 2: 71-150. Psalm 15 - #1. Psalm 15 - #2. Psalm 15 - #3. ]

     The Psalm begins and ends with descriptions of someone whose condition in life is stable. In the first verse the picture is of one who abides in the LORD's Tabernacle on his Holy Hill of Zion. In the last phrase of the last verse, the picture is of someone who is immovable. The first verse asks who is able to abide. The last verse answers that it is the good man (described in the preceding verses) who is able to abide (1). The intervening verses describe the good man in a series of positive and negative comparisons and contrasts. Six of the descriptions are positive. Four or five, depending on how the statements are construed, are negative.
     Positive Ideas (verse 2). First, he walks uprightly (or in integrity). Second, he works righteousness (i.e., he does right or equitable things). Third, he speaks the truth (or trustworthy things) in his heart.
     Negative Ideas (verse 3). Fourth (or Four-a), he refrains from backbiting (tale-bearing). Fifth, he does nothing evil (bad, or harmful) to his neighbor. Four-b (or Sixth) he does not take up a reproach (something shameful or disgraceful concerning his neighbor)s. This is a specific kind of backbiting (see #4) and could be seen as part of a conceptual framework (backbiting / shaming) which highlights the general idea of doing evil to one's neighbor, especially the evil of breaking the ninth commandment by backbiting or shaming another.
     Positive Ideas (verse 4). Sixth (or Seventh), he despises a vile person. Seventh (or Eighth), he honors those who fear the LORD. Eighth (or Ninth), he swears to his own hurt but does not change.
     Negative Ideas (verse 5a,b). Ninth (or Tenth), he does not charge interest on money which he lends to others. Tenth (or Eleventh), he takes no reward (or bribe) against the innocent.
     The Conclusion (verse 5c).. "He who does these things shall never be moved" (5c).