This psalm is unlike any of David’s other psalms to this point. In fact, it does not fall into any of the seven classifications for psalms listed in the HCSB study notes. It seems most like a proverb in its description of the godly person. Although no one is worthy of dwelling with the Lord apart from the saving grace of Christ, these verses are still a good guide for holy living.
Verses 1-5
The chapter is one unit of verses, undivided by stanza. David begins by asking who can live in the tent of the Lord or on His holy mountain? Essentially, who is worthy of spending time in the place where God is worshipped? He answers with both positive and negative statements.
Who is worthy
- One who lives honestly
- A practicer of righteousness
- Someone who acknowledges truth
- One who despises those rejected by the Lord and honors those who fear the Lord
- A person who keeps his word no matter what
Who is not worthy
- One who slanders
- A person who harms his friend or discredits his neighbor
- One who lends money at interest or takes a bribe against the innocent
It is important to note these Old Testament psalms are expressions of personal thought and not commandment or theology. Especially verse four that reads:
Who despises the one rejected by the Lord but honors those who fear the Lord.
Taking this verse out of the context of Scripture as a whole results in ungodly speech and actions such as those displayed by Westboro “Baptist Church.” These divisive groups spread hate and do not embody the two greatest commandments Jesus gave in Matthew.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like unto it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands. – Matthew 22:37-40
David is right. We should live honestly and righteously before the Lord, but also humbly, not comparing ourselves to others.
This post is Day 15 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
To receive email reminders of new posts, please subscribe. As a thank you, you will receive a free ebook, The Wonder Woman’s Manifesto.