Psalm 15:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

NIV: 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.

NASB: He does not lend his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. One who does these things will never be shaken.

CSB: who does not lend his silver at interest or take a bribe against the innocent — the one who does these things will never be shaken.

NLT: Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

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

NKJV: He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

The person allowed to be the Lord's guest in the tabernacle (Psalm 15:1) exhibits faith in the Lord in the way he lends money. Jews were commanded in Scripture not to charge interest of fellow Israelites. Exodus 22:25 states, "If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him." There is a biblical distinction between lending to those in need, for their need, as opposed to lending for some business purpose. In this verse, for example, the Hebrew terminology specifically refers to usury: the charging of unfair levels of interest. One who lends to invest reasonably expects a return on his money (Luke 19:23). Those who lend to the needy and poor should not expect to profit from that charity.

Also, the Lord commanded His people not to accept a bribe. Exodus 23:8 states plainly, "And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right." It seems judges commonly accepted bribes in David's day. Later, both the sin of usury and the sin of taking a bribe brought indictments from the prophets (Isaiah 1:23; 5:23; 10:2; Ezekiel 22:12; Amos 5:11–12).

David writes that the person who lives according to the characteristics described in verses 2–5 will never be moved, meaning nothing will shake him. His consistent lifestyle of godliness will act as a form of self-protection to avoid falling into sin and evil.

Psalm 15:2–5 describes the person who is qualified to be the Lord's guest in the tabernacle (Psalm 15:1). This is not an explanation of "how" a person comes to be qualified. Rather, it describes "what" a person's life looks like to honor God and reflect His goodness. While not a direct parallel, the ten ideas given here complement the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17).

David raises the question of what it looks like to live worthy of the presence of God, even knowing such a thing is not entirely possible in this life (Psalm 51:1–2; 143:2; Romans 3:23). Such a person develops a good reputation as they live and speak truthfully. The righteous person serves God obediently, refrains from slander, and does not harm his neighbor in any way. He recognizes the difference between those who ignore God and those who honor Him. A righteous person is true to his word even when such integrity hurts. He does not take advantage of those who need to borrow money, nor accept bribes. The truly righteous person is secure forever, and nothing can shake him from his relationship with the Lord.

The psalms immediately preceding this describe the wicked who deny God's existence and assault the poor. Here, David describes the lifestyle of a righteous person. David makes these comments knowing no human being is without flaws (Psalm 51:1–2; 143:2). Ideally, however, a believer honors the Lord and relates righteously to his neighbor. David may have written this psalm after bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.