LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Psalm 15:1-5 NIV
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
This psalm begins with similar questions, each asking the same thing. The sacred tent was the Tabernacle built at Sinai, but the term later referred to the Temple. The sacred mountain could refer to the Garden of Eden or the temple mount in Jerusalem. All of these refer to the place where God dwells among his people. So the psalmist’s questions ask, “Who can dwell in the presence of God?”
In response, the psalm does not mention any of the ritual requirements of the Law, the sacrifices, festivals, and offerings. Instead, the twelve stipulations mentioned are all ethical. This list should not be taken as comprehensive. Instead, it is a sampling of the morally upright and holy life that would allow a person to dwell in the presence of a holy God.
Claiming descent from Abraham and following the ritual requirements of the law was insufficient. Claiming the name “Christian” and observing the ritual traditions of a church are also inadequate. God’s people are to be holy. To do what is right. To love the Lord God with all we are. And to love our neighbors as ourselves.
The one who lives by faith and does those things will never be shaken. They will dwell securely in the presence of God.
