Discussion on the Implications of Psalm 15 - "We Shall Not Be Moved"

Let us lift up our thoughts and our hearts to the Lord. Let us be attentive for what God may say to us through this ancient psalm! There just may be a personal word for us from our Lord if we are just ready to hear this; and such a word as this may just transform our lives as never before.

1. Intimacy with God

This psalm is about intimacy with God … about a deep friendship with God. Who is it that can dwell where God is? Who can experience that intimate relationship with God? Who can reside permanently with God? Who has free and welcome access to God?

We might answer these days … ‘those who accept Jesus as their Saviour can dwell where God is’. We might otherwise respond that anyone can dwell with God because God loves all and is available to accept all.

Let’s put this question another way. Who do you like having in your home, and who do you keep inviting back? People who you relate well with and share things in common with and find encouragement and support through. These are also the people who can be relied on by you, and also those that when you invite them they have a natural tendency to accept your invitation.

Who is it that receives God’s hospitality … the best hospitality imaginable? Who dwells where God dwells – who is it that has found intimacy with God? It is those that God has found to be:
· Open to a growing relationship
· Seeking after the most important things in life
· Loving and caring
· Consistent and reliable
· Responsive and ready;

Or put in other words:
· Following Jesus closely
· Seeking after God’s agenda in life
· Worshipful
· Faithful to God and Neighbour
· Trusting and Courageous.

Now is that how we would describe ourselves?

2. Good Behaviour Patterns

This psalm goes on to spell out some of the behaviour patterns that you might expect from those who are dwelling (or living) with God. Whereas we are accepted by God through the grace offered in Jesus and our willing receipt of this gift, our sincerity to build a relationship with God is seen through areas of life that this psalm describes.

However such qualities are often hard to manufacture, but these are actually qualities that God has in abundance and perfection, and also qualities that God is available to plant and feed and water in us. These are the basic behaviour patterns … opportunities to comment will follow …

(a) “walk blamelessly” – this refers to living with a sense of connection with God and being a forgiven person … we are not perfect, but God is actively transforming us day by day. So, we are – walking lightly in forgiveness (with an air of assurance and purpose). We are committed to living tomorrow having learned the lessons of today.

(b) “do what is right” – acting rightly … where our personal character comes into harmony with the character of God. We live and act in a sound and wholesome way. We would be reliable and dependable; having an attitude of faith and faithfulness. We study God’s Word, particularly the life of Jesus, and look for worthy examples of discipleship to emulate.

(c) “speak the truth from the heart” – speaking truthfully … this is an important habit to form and maintain. We speak the truth because we care deeply about the consequences of what we say. We understand the power of the tongue. But this is not just about being honest and discerning, but also about building our lives on what is sure and trustworthy.

(d) “do not slander with their tongue” – not slandering others; it’s so easy to run off at the mouth and put down someone (who may have only mildly offended us) and to continue to gossip about them in a negative way. People come from all sorts of different life experiences, and we need to have a default position of tolerance and compassion.

(e) “do no evil to their friends” – it’s interesting that “friends” are in view here rather than ‘enemies’ … why would we do “evil” to our “friends”? But sometimes we unthinkingly do things that undermine our special friendships – we are less than loyal, or deliberately chose to spend time with someone else without explaining, or just forget to return something we borrowed. So, let’s not be destroying friendships.

(f) “nor take up a reproach against their neighbours” – to “reproach” is to ‘express disapproval’ or ‘cast a slur’; sometimes we can find the smallest things that annoy us about our neighbours, and rake these up unnecessarily, which will entirely (and out of all proportion) compromise our ability to relate well with them. We can be judgemental concerning various cultural differences, or just annoyed that they don’t mow their nature-strip as often as we do. But we have to get beyond this … and not be putting up barriers to being a good neighbour.

(g) “in whose eyes the wicked are despised” – what does this mean … surely we aren’t actually to hate anyone; but perhaps we should still be expressing a real and passionate opposition to anything that oppresses or abuses or hurts another person (or any part of God’s creation). So, perhaps we could see this as – hating that which is opposed to God’s ways. So we stand opposed to what is clearly evil, sometimes very directly or at other times with what EM Blaiklock called a “dignified aloofness” (saying in effect, this is not for me/us). Despite our desire to connect, sometimes we are going to have to draw up a barrier.

(h) The complete opposite is described in the second half of verse 4 … “honour those who fear the Lord” – respecting those serving God. These are the ones we want to spend time with … with a view to learning and growing from them. Verse 4 in totality asks the question: ‘who do we stand with’? Whose vision of life is closest to God’s?

(i) “stand by their oath even to their hurt” – where I think “oath” like a ‘vow’ refers to our stated commitment to God; this commitment needing to stand no matter what the level of opposition or how strong the competing interest might be. So, we would be … faithful even under threat. It’s not much good to only stand with God when things are easy, or conversely only call upon God when things are hard.

(j) “do not lend money at interest” – this might come as a shock to bankers, but the people of Israel (under their religious law) were not permitted to charge interest when they lent money to each other. They were to stand out as against the Babylonians charging 33% or the Assyrians charging 50% interest on loans. This was to make sure that amongst God’s people the lot of the poor was not made any worse. So, we are to be – responsive to the needs of the poor (not only amongst our own number, but across the whole of the world). Our call to generosity is based on God’s generosity to us.

(k) “do not take a bribe against the innocent” – to take a bribe would usually indicate providing a secret special favour or covering up for somebody’s unrighteous deed; and this will always lead to someone being hurt or inappropriately judged. So, we need to be … keeping our integrity intact, especially in the area of our finances. We would not want to view money in a way where it takes over our motives and even blinds us to the needs of others.

Comments

Just as the psalm concludes, from these commitments and behaviour patterns, we will not be moved. That is because, this is the person I have become – this is who I am. I am Warren, a Jesus follower who is seeking God’s agenda in church, community and world. These positive attitudes are part of me … or should be! And I will go forward from here. The person fulfilling these conditions will never moved from their residence in God’s “holy hill” and from the hospitality enjoyed in God’s “tent”.