PSALM 15: Application to His people (Priesthood)

*Put this Psalm in context---ARE YOU/WE ready to serve as a member of HIS Priesthood here on earth?
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Peter 2:9

Psalm 15:
"This psalm raises the question of qualifications for service in the tabernacle (verse 1), then answers that question by describing the man who has
*personal purity (verses 2-3a), and
*interpersonal integrity (verses 3b-5).

(1)  A Two Part Question (15:1).
LORD,
-who shall abide in thy tabernacle?
-who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

(2)  A Twelve-Part Response (15:2-5b);

A.   Three Positively Phrased Ethical Characteristics (15:2).

(1)  His lifestyle exhibits integrity;

He that walketh uprightly,

(2)  His deeds exhibit justice;

  and worketh righteousness,

(3)  His speech exhibits reliability.

 and speaketh the truth in his heart.

B.   Three Negatively Cast Ethical Characteristics (15:3).

(1)  He does not tread over people with his tongue;

He that backbiteth not with his tongue,

(2)  He does not harm his fellow man;

nor doeth evil to his neighbor,

(3)  He does not dump reproach upon family or friend.

nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.

C.   Three Positively Phrased Ethical Characteristics (15:4a-c).

(1)  He views the reprobate as rejected;

In whose eyes a vile person is contemned;

(2)  He respects the people of God;

but he honoureth them that fear the LORD.

(3)  He holds himself accountable.

He that sweareth to his own hurt,

D.   Three Negatively Cast Ethical Characteristics (15:4d-5b).

(1)  He is not fickle;

and changeth not.

(2)  He is not greedy;

He that putteth not out his money to usury,

(3) He cannot be bought.

nor taketh reward against the innocent.

(3) A One-Part Guarantee (15:5c).

He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

The Lord in answer to the question informs us by his Holy Spirit of the character of the man who alone can dwell in his holy hill.

In perfection this holiness is found only in the Man of Sorrows, but in a measure it is wrought in all his people by the Holy Ghost. Observe the accepted man's walk, work, and word.

The man who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord must shake off this sin as Paul shook the viper into the fire.

He shall not only be on Zion, but like Zion, fixed and firm."

BooksOfTheBible/Charles Spurgeon