A Study in Psalms Psalm 15

1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

• Here is the question: Who can live in the presence of God? Who can make their home in God's presence?

• Sinful man cannot enter into God's presence, let alone live in his presence. “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” Ex 33:20

• All have sinned. It is the natural state of mankind: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Ro 3:23

• The penalty is death: not life in the presence of God, but eternal separation from God. “For the wages of sin is death; ” Ro 6:23a

• Death is eternal separation from God: “ And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: ” Mt. 25:46a; “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” 2Th 1:9; “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” Jude 1:13

2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

• There IS a way for us to live in God's presence. We CAN enter into God's presence if we live the way God wants us to, do good, and always tell the truth.

3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

• If we never speak ill of someone else, never wrong anyone or criticize them

4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

• If we despise evil as vile and ugly (love the sinner – hate the sin), agree with those who trust and honour God, and always keep our word

5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

• If we lend without interest and refuse to take bribes

• If we are perfect, we can enter into God's presence. Jesus said, in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

• The problem, of course, is that all have sinned and so no one is perfect. However, God has done something wonderful for us, if we simply trust him through his Son, Jesus Christ. He sent his Son to pay our penalty for us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned:” John 3:16 – 18a

• Jesus Christ has paid the full penalty for our sin by dying in our place. He then rose from the dead, conquering death forever and giving eternal life to all who put their trust in him. “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Co 15:56 – 57

• If death is eternal separation from God, then eternal life is eternity in the presence of God! Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, we who trust him are spiritually, right now, in the very presence of God, and when life in this world is over, we will forever dwell in the presence of God. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:3 – 4