Psalm 15

Psalm 15 is the 15th psalm of the Book of Psalms. It is often called an 'entrance liturgy', in which a worshipper asks the conditions of entering the worship place and a priest answers.[1]

This article uses the Hebrew (Masoretic) Psalms numbering. Psalm 15 in Septuagint/Vulgate numbering would correspond to Psalm 16 in Hebrew numbering.

Analysis

According to the International Critical Commentary, "Ps[alm] 15 is a didactic poem, inquiring what sort of man is qualified to be a guest of Yahweh (verse 1); describing him in accordance with a decalogue of duties (verses 2-5b) and declaring such a man secure (verse 5c)." [2]

The main topic of this psalm is "residence" (verse 1: "dwell"... "live") in God's "tent" (not "sanctuary") and how to be in 'holiness, without which no one sees God' (Hebrews 12:14)[1]

Although the Psalm is captioned "A Psalm of David," and the Gemara also attributes this Psalm to David, Charles and Emilie Briggs considered this claim of authorship "unhistoric."[3]

Context

In Psalm 12 the godly perished and in Psalm 14 there is none righteous. That leaves a rhetorical question as to "who can ascend the mountain of God?" which is an inclusio (a pair of literary bookends) in Psalms 15–24, appearing in Psalm 15:1 and Psalm 24:3.

In the context of the culture of the time, "who [then] can dwell in His tent" as a guest would not only be welcome but also come under his special protection.

In the context of David's time, the ark has been in Shiloh in the tabernacle and David moves the ark to Mount Zion to a newly-made tabernacle there.[4]

Uses

Christianity

Some see a chiastic structure of Psalms 15–24, with Psalm 19 in the center.[5]

Many see Jesus as the one who can climb the hill of God and dwell in God's sanctuary, with the church in Him. This is supported by the frequent use of the phrase "right hand [of God]" in each of Psalms 16–21, except for Psalm 19.[6] The right hand of God usually refers to an act of salvation.

Spurgeon sees this psalm as an expectation of fruit in a believer's life.[7]

Without the wedding-dress of righteousness in Christ Jesus, we have no right to sit at the banquet of communion. Without uprightness of walk we are not fit for the imperfect church on earth, and certainly we must not hope to enter the perfect church above.

Judaism

Verse 4 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.[8]

References
  1. Motyer 1994, p. 495.
  2. Briggs & Briggs 1960, p. 112.
  3. Briggs & Briggs 1960, p. 113.
  4. The Tabernacle of David by Kevin J. Conner,Christian Publishing, 2007
  5. https://cep.calvinseminary.edu/non-rcl-starters/psalms-15-24/
  6. https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?search=right+hand&version=ESV&searchtype=phrase&spanbegin=23&spanend=23&resultspp=500
  7. https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=spur&b=19&c=15
  8. The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 327

Sources
  • Briggs, Charles Augustus; Briggs, Emilie Grace (1960) [1906]. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. International Critical Commentary. 1. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
  • Motyer, J. A. (1994). "The Psalms". In Carson, D. A.; France, R. T.; Motyer, J. A.; Wenham, G. J. (eds.). New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition (4, illustrated, reprint, revised ed.). Inter-Varsity Press. pp. 485–583. ISBN 9780851106489.
  • Psalm 15 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 15 King James Bible - Wikisource
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