| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index |

Psalm Fifteen

Psalm 15

Chapter Contents

The way to heaven if we would be happy we must be holy. We are encouraged to walk in that way.

Here is a very serious question concerning the character of a citizen of Zion. It is the happiness of glorified saints that they dwell in the holy hill; they are at home there they shall be for ever there. It concerns us to make it sure to ourselves that we have a place among them. A very plain and particular answer is here given. Those who desire to know their duty will find the Scripture a very faithful director and conscience a faithful monitor. A citizen of Zion is sincere in his religion. He is really what he professes to be and endeavours to stand complete in all the will of God. He is just both to God and man; and in speaking to both speaks the truth in his heart. He scorns and abhors wrong and fraud; he cannot reckon that a good bargain nor a saving one which is made with a lie; and knows that he who wrongs his neighbour will prove in the end to have most injured himself. He is very careful to do hurt to no man. He speaks evil of no man makes not others' faults the matter of his common talk; he makes the best of every body and the worst of nobody. If an ill-natured story be told him he will disprove it if he can; if not it goes no further. He values men by their virtue and piety. Wicked people are vile people worthless and good for nothing; so the word signifies. He thinks the worse of no man's piety for his poverty and mean condition. He reckons that serious piety puts honour upon a man more than wealth or a great name. He honours such desires their conversation and an interest in their prayers is glad to show them respect or do them a kindness. By this we may judge of ourselves in some measure. Even wise and good men may swear to their own hurt: but see how strong the obligation is a man must rather suffer loss to himself and his family than wrong his neighbour. He will not increase his estate by extortion or by bribery. He will not for any gain or hope of it to himself do any thing to hurt a righteous cause. Every true living member of the church like the church itself is built upon a Rock. He that doeth these things shall not be moved for ever. The grace of God shall always be sufficient for him. The union of these tempers and this conduct can only spring from repentance for sin faith in the Saviour and love to him. In these respects let us examine and prove our own selves.

── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Psalms》

Psalm 15

Verse 1

[1] LORD who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Who — Who shall so dwell in thy church here as to dwell with thee for ever in heaven?

Verse 2

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

Uprightly — Loving and serving God and loving his neighbour not in word only but in truth; and this constantly.

Worketh — Makes it his business to do justly to give to every one his due first to God and then to men.

Speaketh — His words and professions to God and men agree with the thoughts and purposes of his heart.

Verse 3

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

He — He that doth not speak evil of his neighbour.

Neighbour — That is any man.

Nor taketh — Into his mouth doth not raise it neither spread or propagate it; or believe it without sufficient reason.

Verse 4

[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.

Vile — An ungodly man.

Honoureth — He highly esteems and loves them though they be mean as to their worldly condition and though they may differ from him in some opinions or practices of lesser moment.

Sweareth — A promissory oath.

Hurt — To his own damage. As if a man solemnly swear that he will sell him such an estate at a price below the full worth; or that he will give a poor man such a sum of money which afterwards he finds inconvenient to him.

Changeth not — His purpose but continues firm and resolved to perform his promise.

Verse 5

[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.

To usury — In such a manner as is contrary to God's law: of which see otherwise Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36 37 etc.

Reward — Or a bribe for him who hath a bad cause.

Moved — He shall abide with God here and when he dies be for ever with the Lord.

── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Psalms》

 
Psalm 15 - The Marks Of A True Worshiper
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM
 
1) To note the character of those whom God would have worship Him
 
2) To be reminded of basic principles of righteous conduct required by
 God
 
SUMMARY
 
The heading attributes this psalm to David
and may have been written
in anticipation of the ark's restoration to Israel and establishment of
public worship in Jerusalem (cf. 2 Sam 6:1-19). It is didactic in
nature
and is entitled by Leupold as "The Marks Of A True Worshiper."
 
The psalm begins with two questions addressed to Jehovah (LORD)

perhaps prompted by the incident involving Uzzah touching the ark when
it was being transported improperly on the back of a cart (cf. 2 Sam
6:3-7; Num 4:5-15; 7:9). Since no one could actually take up residence
in the tabernacle
the inquiry could be paraphrased "Whom will You
accept when he comes to Your house
O Lord?" (1).
 
The answer provided begins with a general description of a true
worshiper as one who walks uprightly and works righteousness. More
specifically
the true worshiper is one who does not lie (cf. Ep 4:25)

backbite with his tongue (cf. Ja 4:11)
do evil to his neighbor
or
take up a reproach against his friend (cf. Psa 101:5-8). He despises a
vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord (cf. Psa 16:3;
119:63). His upright character is illustrated by his unwillingness to
go back on his word even if he has sworn to his own detriment (e.g.

Josh 9:18-20; Jud 11:35). He also will not loan money at interest (cf.
Exo 22:25; Deu 23:19
20)
or take bribes (cf. Exo 23:8) against the
innocent (2-5a).
 
The psalm ends with a declaration that one who does these things shall
never be moved. This is because he is privileged to draw near to God
(cf. Psa 16:8)
and is reminiscent of the blessed man of Psalms 1 who
prospers in every thing he does (5b).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE QUESTION POSED (15:1)
 
 A. WHO MAY ABIDE IN THE LORD'S TABERNACLE? (1a)
 
 B. WHO MAY DWELL IN HIS HOLY HILL? (1b)
 
II. THE ANSWER PROVIDED (15:2-5)
 
 A. IN GENERAL TERMS (2a)
 1. He who walks uprightly
 2. He who works righteousness
 
 B. IN SPECIFIC TERMS (2b-5)
 1. He who speaks truth in his heart
 2. He who does not...
 a. Backbite with his tongue
 b. Do evil to his neighbor
 c. Take up a reproach against his friend
 3. In whose eyes...
 a. A vile person is despised
 b. One who fears the Lord is honored
 4. He who swears to his own hurt and does not change
 5. He who does not...
 a. Put out his money at usury (interest)
 b. Take a bribe against the innocent
 -- He who does these things shall never be moved
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM
 
1) What are the main points of this psalm?
 - The question posed (1)
 - The answer provided (2-5)
 
2) Who is the author of this psalm?
 - David
 
3) What is the character or style of this psalm?
 - Didactic (designed to teach or instruct)
 
4) What question(s) does the psalmist ask at the beginning? (1)
 - Lord
who may abide in Your tabernacle?
 - Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
 
5) What is the answer in general terms? (2a)
 - He who walks uprightly and works righteousness
 
6) What is the answer in more specific terms? (2b-5a)
 - He who speaks the truth in his heart
 - He who does not backbite with his tongue
 - He who does no evil to his neighbor
 - He who does not take up a reproach against his friend
 - He who despises a vile person
 - He who honors those who fear the Lord
 - He who swears to his own hurt and does not change
 - He who does not put out his money at usury
 - He who does not take a bribe against the innocent
 
7) What is said of one who does all these things? (5b)
 - He shall never be moved

－－《Executable Outlines》

Psalm 15

Exposition
Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings
Hints to the Village Preacher
Other Works

---

SUBJECT &c. This Psalm of David bears no dedicatory title at all indicative of the occasion upon which it was written but it is exceedingly probable that together with the twenty-fourth Psalm to which it bears a striking resemblance its composition was in some way connected with the removal of the ark to the holy hill of Zion. Who should attend upon the ark was a matter of no small consequence for because unauthorized persons had intruded into the office David was unable on the first occasion to complete his purpose of bringing the ark to Zion. On the second attempt he is more careful not only to allot the work of carrying the ark to the divinely appointed Levites (1 Chronicles 15:2) but also to leave it in charge of the man whose house the Lord had blessed even Obed-edom who with his many sons ministered in the house of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 26:8 12.) Spiritually we have here a description of the man who is a child at home in the Church of God on earth and who will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever above. He is primarily Jesus the perfect man and in him all who through grace are conformed to his image.

DIVISION. The first verse asks the question; the rest of the verses answer it. We will call the Psalm THE QUESTION AND ANSWER.

---

EXPOSITION

Verse 1. THE QUESTION. Jehovah. Thou high and holy One who shall be permitted to have fellowship with thee? The heavens are not pure in thy sight and thou chargest thine angels with folly who then of mortal mould shall dwell with thee thou dread consuming fire? A sense of the glory of the Lord and of the holiness which becomes his house his service and his attendants excites the humble mind to ask the solemn question before us. Where angels bow with veiled faces how shall man be able to worship at all? The unthinking many imagine it to be a very easy matter to approach the Most High and when professedly engaged in his worship they have no questionings of heart as to their fitness for it; but truly humbled souls often shrink under a sense of utter unworthiness and would not dare to approach the throne of the God of holiness if it were not for him our Lord our Advocate who can abide in the heavenly temple because his righteousness endureth for ever. "Who shall abide in thy tabernacle?" Who shall be admitted to be one of the household of God to sojourn under his roof and enjoy communion with himself? "Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" Who shall be a citizen of Zion and an inhabitant of the heavenly Jerusalem? The question is raised because it is a question. All men have not this privilege nay even among professors there are aliens from the commonwealth who have no secret intercourse with God. On the grounds of law no mere man can dwell with God for there is not one upon earth who answers to the just requirements mentioned in the succeeding verses. The questions in the text are asked of the Lord as if none but the Infinite Mind could answer them so as to satisfy the unquiet conscience. We must know from the Lord of the tabernacle what are the qualifications for his service and when we have been taught of him we shall clearly see that only our spotless Lord Jesus and those who are conformed unto his image can ever stand with acceptance before the Majesty on high.
Impertinent curiosity frequently desires to know who and how many shall be saved; if those who thus ask the question "Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" would make it a soul-searching enquiry in reference to themselves they would act much more wisely. Members of the visible church which is God's tabernacle of worship and hill of eminence should diligently see to it that they have the preparation of heart which fits them to be inmates of the house of God. Without the wedding-dress of righteousness in Christ Jesus we have no right to sit at the banquet of communion. Without uprightness of walk we are not fit for the imperfect church on earth and certainly we must not hope to enter the perfect church above.

Verse 2. THE ANSWER. The Lord in answer to the question informs us by his Holy Spirit of the character of the man who alone can dwell in his holy hill. In perfection this holiness is found only in the Man of Sorrows but in a measure it is wrought in all his people by the Holy Ghost. Faith and the graces of the Spirit are not mentioned because this is a description of outward character and where fruits are found the root may not be seen but it is surely there. Observe the accepted man's walk work and word. "He that walketh uprightly " he keeps himself erect as those do who traverse high ropes; if they lean on one side over they must go or as those who carry precious but fragile ware in baskets on their heads who lose all if they lose their perpendicular. True believers do not cringe as flatterers wriggle as serpents bend double as earth-grubbers or crook on one side as those who have sinister aims; they have the strong backbone of the vital principle of grace within and being themselves upright they are able to walk uprightly. Walking is of far more importance than talking. He only is right who is upright in walk and downright in honesty. "And worketh righteousness." His faith shows itself by good works and therefore is no dead faith. God's house is a hive for workers not a nest for drones. Those who rejoice that everything is done for them by another even the Lord Jesus and therefore hate legality are the best doers in the world upon gospel principles. If we are not positively serving the Lord and doing his holy will to the best of our power we may seriously debate our interest in divine things for trees which bear no fruit must be hewn down and cast into the fire. "And speaketh the truth in his heart." The fool in the last psalm spoke falsely in his heart; observe both here and elsewhere in the two psalms the striking contrast. Saints not only desire to love and speak truth with their lips but they seek to be true within; they will not lie even in the closet of their hearts for God is there to listen; they scorn double meanings evasions equivocations white lies flatteries and deceptions. Though truths like roses have thorns about them good men wear them in their bosoms. Our heart must be the sanctuary and refuge of truth should it be banished from all the world beside and hunted from among men; at all risk we must entertain the angel of truth for truth is God's daughter. We must be careful that the heart is really fixed and settled in principle for tenderness of conscience toward truthfulness like the bloom on a peach needs gentle handling and once lost it were hard to regain it. Jesus was the mirror of sincerity and holiness. Oh to be more and more fashioned after his similitude!

Verse 3. After the positive comes the negative. "He that backbiteth not with his tongue." There is a sinful way of backbiting with the heart when we think too hardly of a neighbour but it is the tongue which does the mischief. Some men's tongues bite more than their teeth. The tongue is not steel but it cuts and it's wounds are very hard to heal; its worst wounds are not with its edge to our face but with its back when our head is turned. Under the law a night hawk was an unclean bird and its human image is abominable everywhere. All slanderers are the devil's bellows to blow up contention but those are the worst which blow at the back of the fire. "Nor doeth evil to his neighbour." He who bridles his tongue will not give a licence to his hand. Loving our neighbour as ourselves will make us jealous of his good name careful not to injure his estate or by ill example to corrupt his character. "Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour." He is a fool if not a knave who picks up stolen goods and harbours them; in slander as well as robbery the receiver is as bad as the thief. If there were not gratified hearers of ill reports there would be an end of the trade of spreading them. Trapp says that "the tale-bearer carrieth the devil in his tongue and the tale-hearer carries the devil in his ear." The original may be translated "endureth;" implying that it is a sin to endure or tolerate tale-bearers. "Show that man out!" we should say of a drunkard yet it is very questionable if his unmanly behaviour will do us so much mischief as the tale-bearers insinuating story. "Call for a policeman!" we say if we see a thief at his business; ought we to feel no indignation when we hear a gossip at her work? Mad dog! Mad dog!! is a terrible hue and cry but there are few curs whose bite is so dangerous as a busybody's tongue. Fire! fire!! is an alarming note but the tale-bearer's tongue is set on fire of hell and those who indulge it had better mend their manners or they may find that there is fire in hell for unbridled tongues. Our Lord spake evil of no man but breathed a prayer for his foes; we must be like him or we shall never be with him.

Verse 4. "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord." We must be as honest in paying respect as in paying our bills. Honour to whom honour is due. To all good men we owe a debt of honour and we have no right to hand over what is their due to vile persons who happen to be in high places. When base men are in office it is our duty to respect the office; but we cannot so violate our consciences as to do otherwise than contemn the men; and on the other hand when true saints are in poverty and distress we must sympathize with their afflictions and honour the men none the less. We may honour the roughest cabinet for the sake of the jewels but we must not prize false gems because of their setting. A sinner in a gold chain and silken robes is no more to be compared with a saint in rags than a rushlight in a silver candlestick with the sun behind a cloud. The proverb says that "ugly women finely dressed are the uglier for it " and so mean men in high estate are the more mean because of it. "He that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not." Scriptural saints under the New Testament rule "swear not at all " but their word is as good as an oath: those men of God who think it right to swear are careful and prayerful lest they should even seem to overshoot the mark. When engagements have been entered into which turn out to be unprofitable "the saints are men of honour still." Our blessed Surety swore to his own hurt but how gloriously he stood to his suretyship! what a comfort to us that he changeth not and what an example to us to be scrupulously and precisely exact in fulfilling our covenants with others! The most far-seeing trader may enter into engagements which turn out to be serious losses but whatsoever else he loses if he keeps his honour his losses will be bearable; if that be lost all is lost.

Verse 5. "He that putteth not out his money to usury." Usury was and is hateful both to God and man. That a lender should share with the borrower in gains made by his money is most fitting and proper; but that the man of property should eat up the poor wretch who unfortunately obtained a loan of him is abominable. Those who grind poor tradesmen needy widows and such like by charging them interest at intolerable rates will find that their gold and their silver are cankered. The man who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord must shake off this sin as Paul shook the viper into the fire. "Nor taketh reward against the innocent." Bribery is a sin both in the giver and the receiver. It was frequently practised in Eastern courts of justice; that form of it is now under our excellent judges almost an unheard-of thing; yet the sin survives in various forms which the reader needs not that we should mention; and under every shape it is loathsome to the true man of God. He remembers that Jesus instead of taking reward against the innocent died for the guilty.

Verse 5. "He that doeth these things shall never be moved." No storm shall tear him from his foundations drag him from his anchorage or uproot him from his place. Like the Lord Jesus whose dominion is everlasting the true Christian shall never lose his crown. He shall not only be on Zion but like Zion fixed and firm. He shall dwell in the tabernacle of the Most High and neither death nor judgment shall remove him from his place of privilege and blessedness.
Let us betake ourselves to prayer and self-examination for this Psalm is as fire for the gold and as a furnace for silver. Can we endure its testing power?

---

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 1. "Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle?" In that the church of Christ upon earth is a "tabernacle " we may note that neither the church itself nor the members of it have any fixed or firm seat of habitation in this world: "Arise depart for this is not your rest." Micah 2:10. "Here have we no continuing city but we seek one to come." Hebrews 13:14. God's tabernacle being a movable temple wandered up and down sometimes in the desert sometimes in Shiloh sometimes among the Philistines sometimes in Kerjathjearim and never found any settled place till it was translated into the mountain of God: even so the church of God wandereth as a straggler and a stranger in the wilderness of this world being destitute tormented and afflicted on every side persecuted from this city to that and never enjoying any constant habitation of sound and sure rest until it be translated unto "God's holy hill." The verb (Heb.) gur (as the learned in Hebrew note) signifying to dwell as a stranger or a sojourner imports that a citizen of heaven is a pilgrim on earth. . . . . In that the church is a tabernacle we may see that it is not a fort compassed about with any strong walls armed with any human forces; and yet such as keep within her are defended from heat of sun and hurt of storms. Her strength is not here but from above for Christ her Head is in all her troubles a present help a refuge against the tempest a shadow against the heat. Isaiah 35:4. The church on earth is indeed a tabernacle but it is God's tabernacle wherein he dwelleth as in his house; "Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle?" for to this end the Lord commanded the tabernacle to be made that he might dwell among them the blessed apostle construeth it of his dwelling among them. 2 Corinthians 6:16. "You are " saith he "the temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them." To the same purpose God is said elsewhere to dwell in Sion and to walk in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks that is in the midst of the seven churches in the midst of his city (Psalms 46:5) in the midst of his people. Isaiah 12:6. John Boys D.D. Dean of Canterbury 1571-1625.

Verse 1. "Lord who shall abide " etc. If David a man endued with an excellent and divine spirit one in whom singular wisdom rare knowledge and deep understanding of hidden secrets appeared who being taught of God in heavenly things far surpassed and exceeded in wisdom all his teachers and counsellors did notwithstanding desire to know the sheep from the goats the good from the bad the saints from the hypocrites the true worshippers of God from dissemblers the true inhabitants of the holy tabernacle from the intruders of the wicked lest therein he should be deceived; how great cause have we in whom neither the like spirit neither such wisdom nor equal knowledge nor comparable understanding by many degrees appeareth to fear our own weakness to doubt of our own judgments to confess our own infirmity and to suspect the subtle sleights and coloured pretenses of men: and for further knowledge in hidden deep and secret things with David to demand and ask this question "Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?". . . . . . . . . Where David saith "Who shall abide in thy holy hill?" he giveth us to understand that there is no true and sound rest but in the holy hill of the Lord which is the church. Then the wicked and ungodly which are not of God's house of his holy hill of the church have no quiet rest nor sound peace; but they are in continual perplexity continual torment continual disquietness of their minds. Richard Turnbull 1606.

Verse 1. "Abide in the tabernacle " etc. The worshippers in the outer court only will get their eternal abode without among the dogs sorcerers etc; but they that shall be inhabitants of heaven come further in even unto the tabernacle itself: their souls are fed at his table they find the smell of his garments as of myrrh aloes and cassia; and if they miss it at any time it is the grief of their souls and they are never at rest till they recover it again. Thomas Boston.

Verse 1. "Who shall dwell " etc.

"Now who is he? Say if ye can
Who so shall gain the firm abode?
Pilate shall say 'Behold the Man!'
And John 'Behold the Lamb of God!'"

John Barclay quoted by A. A. Bonar in loc.

Verse 1. "Holy hill." Heaven is aptly compared to a hill hell to a hole. Now who shall ascend unto this holy mount? None but those whom this mount comes down unto that have sweet communion with God in this life present whose conversation is in heaven though their commoration be for awhile upon earth who do here eat and drink and sleep eternal life. John Trapp.

Verses 1 2. The disguising and counterfeiting of hypocrites in all ages occasioned haply this query: for as Paul speaks "all are not Israel that are of Israel " a great many living in the church are not of the church according to that of the doctors upon this place multi sunt corpore qui non sunt fide multi nomine qui non sunt nomine. Wherefore David here perceiving that sundry people were shuffled into God's tabernacle like goats among the sheep and tares among the corn being Jews outwardly but not inwardly deceiving others often and sometimes themselves also with a bare profession of religion and false opinion of true piety cometh unto God (as to the searcher and trier of the hearts of men acquainted with all secrets and best understanding who are his own) saying unto him O Lord forsomuch as there is so much unsoundness and hypocrisy reigning among those that dwell in thy tabernacle professing thy word and frequenting the places of thy worship; I beseech thee most humbly to declare to thy people some tokens and cognizances by which a true subject of thy kingdom may be discerned from the children of this world. Here then observe that an external profession of faith and outward communion with the church of God is not sufficient unto salvation unless we lead an incorrupt life correspondent to the same doing the thing which is right and speaking the truth in our heart. And therefore the silly Papist is exceedingly deceived in relying so much upon the church's outside to wit upon the succession of Roman bishops upon the multitude of Roman Catholics upon the power and pomp of the Roman synagogue crying as the Jews in old time "The temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord " our church is the temple of the Lord. The carnal and careless gospeller is deceived also placing all his religion in the formal observation of outward service for a mere verbal Christian is a real atheist according to that of Paul (Titus 1:16) "In word they profess that they know God but in their works they deny him;" and so many who seem to sojourn in God's tabernacle for a time shall never rest upon his "holy hill;" and this assertion is expressly confirmed by Christ himself: "Not every one (saith he) that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23. Consider this all ye which are Christians in lip only but not in life making a mask of religion or rather a very vizard with eyes and mouth and nose fairly painted and proportioned to all pretenses and purposes. O think on this all ye that forget God he that dwelleth on high and beholds the things here below suffers none to rest upon the mountain of his holiness but such as walk uprightly doing that which is just and speaking that which is true. John Boys.

Verse 2. "He that walketh uprightly " etc. If neither the golden reason of excellency can move us nor the silver reason of profit allure us then must the iron reason of necessity enforce us to integrity and uprightness of heart. For first such is the necessity thereof that without integrity the best graces we seem to have are counterfeit and therefore but glorious sins; the best worship we can perform is but hypocrisy and therefore abominable in God's sight. For uprightness is the soundness of all grace and virtues as also of all religion and worship of God without which they are unsound and nothing worth. And first as touching graces if they be not joined with uprightness of heart they are sins under the masks or vizards of virtue yea as it may seem double sins: for as Augustine saith Simulata aequitas est duplex iniquitas quia et inquitas est et similatio: Feigned equity is double iniquity both because it is iniquity and because it is feigning. George Downame D.D. 1604.

Verse 2. "He that walketh uprightly." Here two questions are moved; First. Why David describes a sound member of the church and inheritor of heaven by works rather than by faith seeing the kingdom of heaven is promised unto faith and the profession thereof also maketh one a member of the visible church? Secondly. Why among all the fruits of faith almost innumerable he makes choice of those duties especially which concern our neighbours? To the first answer may be that in this and in all other places in Holy Scripture where good works are commanded or commended in any faith is ever presupposed according to that apostolical maxim "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin;" "Without me " saith our blessed Saviour "ye can do nothing" (John 15:5); and without faith in him it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6); fides est operum fomes as Paulinus wittily: "Faith (as our church speaks) is the nest of good works; albeit our birds be never so fair though haply we do that which is right and speak that which is true yet all these will be lost except it be brought forth in a true belief." Aristides was so just in his government that he would not tread awry for any respect to friend or despite of foe. Pomponius is said to have been so true that he never made lie himself nor suffered a lie in other. Curtius at Rome Menaeceus at Thebes Codrus at Athens exposed themselves unto voluntary death for the good of their neighbours and country: yet because they wanted the rest of true faith in the world's Saviour where to lay their young we cannot (if we speak with our prophet here from God's oracle) say that they shall ever rest upon his holy hill. Another answer may be that faith is an inward and hidden grace and many deceive themselves and others with a feigned profession thereof and therefore the Holy Spirit will have every man's faith to be tried and known by their fruits and howsoever eternal life be promised to faith and eternal damnation be threatened against infidelity yet the sentence of salvation and condemnation shall be pronounced according to works as the clearest evidence of both. It is truly said out of Bernard that although our good works are not causa regnandi yet they be via regni the causeway wherein although not the cause wherefore we must ascend God's holy hill. To the second demand why the duties immediately belonging to God are not mentioned here but only such as concern our brother? Answer is made that this question is propounded of such as living in the visible church openly profess the faith and would seem to be devout hearing the word of God and calling upon his name; for of such as are profane atheists and so not so much as make a semblance of holiness there is no question to be made for without all doubt there can be no resting place for such in the kingdom of heaven. Now that we may discern aright which of those that profess religion are sound and which unsound; the marks are not to be taken from an outward hearing of the word or receiving of the sacraments and much less from a formal observation of human traditions in God's tabernacle (For all these things hypocrites usually perform) but from the duties of righteousness giving every man his due because the touchstone of piety towards God is charity towards our brother. "Herein " saith John "are the children of God known and the children of the devil: whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his brother." John Boys.

Verse 2. There is no ascertaining the quality of a tree but by its fruits. When the wheels of a clock move within the hand on the dial will move without. When the heart of a man is sound in conversion then the life will be fair in profession. When the conduit is walled in how shall we judge of the spring but by the waters which run through the pipes? William Secker.

Verse 2. "And worketh righteousness." A man must first be righteous before he can work righteousness of life. "He that doeth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous." 1 John 3:7. The tree makes the fruit not the fruit the tree; and therefore the tree must be good before the fruit can be good. Matthew 7:18. A righteous man may make a righteous work but no work of an unrighteous man can make him righteous. Now we become righteous only by faith through the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. Romans 5:1. . . . Wherefore let men work as they will if they be not true believers in Christ they are not workers of righteousness; and consequently they will not be dwellers in heaven. Ye must then close with Christ in the first place and by faith receive the gift of imputed righteousness or ye will never truly bear this character of a citizen of Zion. A man shall as soon force fruit out of a branch broken off from the tree and withered as work righteousness without believing in and uniting with Christ. These are two things by which those that hear the gospel are ruined. Thomas Boston.

Verse 2. "Worketh righteousness." Jacob's ladder had stairs upon which he saw none standing still but all either ascending or else descending by it. Ascend you likewise to the top of the ladder to heaven and there you shall hear one say "My Father doth now work and I work also." Whereupon Basil noteth that King David having first said "Lord who shall dwell in thy tabernacle?" adds then not he that hath wrought righteousness heretofore but he that doth now work righteousness even as Christ saith "My Father doth now work and I work also." Thomas Playfere.

Verse 2. But here observe David saith "that worketh righteousness;" not that talks about thinks about or hears of righteousness; because "not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law shall be justified." What then do we owe unto others? That which Christ saith (Matthew 7) "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you do ye also unto them " even unto your enemies: that is to injure no one to succour those that suffer injury and to do good unto all men. But these things I say are spoken especially unto those who have respect of persons; as if he has said It is not because thou art a priest nor because thou art of a religious order not because thou prayest much nor because thou doest miracles nor because thou teachest excellently nor because thou art dignified with the title of father nor because thou art the doer of any work (except righteousness) that thou shalt rest in the holy hill of the Lord; for if thou be destitute of the works of righteousness neither all thy good works nor thy indulgences nor thy votes and suffrages nor thy intercessions shall avail thee anything. Therefore the truth is firm; that it is the walker without spot and the doer of righteousness that shall rest in the tabernacles of the Lord. Yet how many are there who build increase and adorn churches monastaries altars vessels garments etc. who all the while never so much as think of the works of righteousness; nay who tread righteousness under foot that they may work these their own works and because of them hope to gain the pardon of their unrighteousness while thousands are deceived by these means! Hence in the last day Christ will say "I was an hungered I was thirsty I was naked I was in prison I was a stranger." He will not say one word about those works which are done and admired at this day. And on the other hand it is of no account against thee that thou art a layman or poor or sick or contemptible or how vile soever thou art if thou workest righteousness thou shalt be saved. The only work that we must hope will be considered and accounted of is the work of righteousness: all other works that either urge or allure us on under a show of godliness are a thing of naught. Martin Luther.

Verse 2. "And speaketh the truth in his heart." Anatomists have observed that the tongue in man is tied with a double string to the heart. And so in truth spoken there is necessary a double agreement of our words. 1. With our heart. That is to the speaking of truth it is necessary our words agree with our mind and thoughts about the thing. We must speak as we think and our tongues must be faithful interpreters of our mind: otherwise we lie not speaking as we think. So what is truth in itself may be spoken by a man and yet he be a liar; namely if he does not think as he speaks. 2. With the thing as it is in itself. Though we think a thing to be so which is not so we lie when we affirm it; because it is not as we say though we really think it is so. For our mistaken notions of things can never stamp lies to pass current for truths. 2 Thessalonians 2:11. Thomas Boston.

Verse 2. I this day heard a sermon from Psalm 15:2 "And speaketh the truth in his heart." . . . . . . O my soul receive the admonition that has been given thee! Study truth in the inward parts; let integrity and truth always accompany thee and preserve thee: speak the truth in thy heart. I am thankful for any conviction and sense I have of the evil of lying; Lord increase my abhorrence of it: as a further assistance and help against this mean sordid pernicious vice I would endeavour and resolve in pursuit of the directions laid before us in the sermon to mortify those passions and corruptions from whence this sin of lying more ordinarily flows and which are the chief occasion of it as "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts" (Matthew 15:19); so from the same fountain proceed evil words. And I would with the greatest zeal set myself against such corruptions as upon observation I find more commonly betray me into this iniquity: pride often indites our speech and coins many a lie; so envy covetousness malice etc. I would endeavour to cleanse myself from all this filthiness: there never will be a mortified tongue while there is an unmortified heart. If I love the world inordinately it is a thousand to one I shall be often stretching a point to promote a worldly interest; and if I hate my brother it is the same odds I shall reproach him. Lord help me to purge the fountain and then the streams will be pure. When the spring of a clock and all of the movements are right the hand will go right; and so it is here. The tongue follows the inward inclination. I would resolve to do nothing that may need a lie. If Gehazi's covetousness had not shamed him he had not wanted a lie to excuse him "He that walks uprightly walks surely" and safely in this as well as other respects. Proverbs 10:9. May I do nothing that is dishonourable and mean nothing that cannot bear the light and then I shall have little temptation to lying. I would endeavour for a lively sense of the eye of God upon me acting and speaking in his presence. Lord I desire to set thee always before me; thou understandest my thoughts as perfectly as others do my words. I would consider before I speak and not speak much or rashly. Proverbs 29:20. I would often think of the severity of a future judgment when every secret shall be made manifest and the hypocrite and liar exposed before angels and men. Lastly I would frequently beg divine assistance herein. Psalm 119:29; Proverbs 30:8. O my God help me in my future conduct remove from me the way of lying; may the law of kindness and truth be in my tongue; may I take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue. I bewail my past miscarriages in this respect and flee to thy mercy through the blood of Christ; bless to me the instructions that have been this day given me; let no iniquity prevail against me; "Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins and cleanse me from secret faults." I commit my thoughts desires and tongue to thy conduct and government; may I think and act in thy fear and always speak the truth in my heart. Benjamin Bennet's "Christian Oratory " 1728.

Verses 2 5. As the eagle casteth off her beak and so reneweth her youth and the snake strippeth off her old skin and so maketh herself smooth: even so he that will enter into the joys of God and rest upon his holy mountain must as the Scripture speaks put off the old man and put on the new which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness repenting truly speedily steadily. Robert Cawdray.

Verse 3. "He that backbiteth not with his tongue nor doeth evil to his neighbour." Lamentation for the gross neglect of this duty or the frequent commission of this sin. What tears are sufficient to bewail it? How thick do censures and reproaches fly in all places at all tables in all conventions! And this were the more tolerable if it were only the fault of ungodly men of strangers and enemies to religion; for so saith the proverb "Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked." When a man's heart is full of hell it is not unreasonable to expect his tongue should be set on fire of hell; and it is no wonder to hear such persons reproach good men yea even for their goodness. But alas! the disease doth not rest here this plague is not only among the Egyptians but Israelites too. It is very doleful to consider how professors sharpen their tongues like swords against professors; and one good man censures and reproaches another and one minister traduceth another; and who can say "I am clean from this sin?" O that I could move your pity in this case! For the Lord's sake pity yourselves and do not pollute and wound your consciences with this crime. Pity your brethren; let it suffice that godly ministers and Christians are loaded with reproaches by wicked men— there is no need that you should combine with them in this diabolical work. You should support and strengthen their hands against the reproaches of the ungodly world and not add affliction to the afflicted. O pity the world and pity the church which Christ hath purchased with his own blood which methinks bespeaks you in these words "Have pity upon me have pity upon me O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me." Job 19:21. Pity the mad and miserable world and help it against this sin; stop the bloody issue; restrain this wicked practice amongst men as much as possibly you can and lament it before God and for what you cannot do yourselves give God no rest until he shall please to work a cure. Matthew Poole 1624-1679.

Verse 3. "He that backbiteth not " etc. Detraction or slander is not lightly to be passed over because we do so easily fail in this point. For the good name of a man as saith Solomon is a precious thing to every one and to be preferred before much treasure insomuch that it is no less grievous to hurt a man with the tongue than with a sword: nay ofttimes the stroke of a tongue is grievouser than the wound of a spear as it is in the French proverb. And therefore the tongue must be bridled that we hurt not in any wise the good name of our neighbour; but preserve it unto him safe and sound as much as in us shall lie. That which he addeth touching evil or injury not to be done to our neighbour is like unto that which we have seen already concerning the working or exercising of righteousness. He would have us therefore so to exercise all upright dealing that we might be far from doing any damage or wrong to our neighbours. And by the name of neighbour is meant every man and woman as it is plain and evident. For we are all created of God and placed in this world that we might live uprightly and sincerely together. And therefore he breaketh the law of human society (for we are all tied and bound by this law of nature) that doth hurt or injury to another. The third member of this verse is nor that reproacheth another or that maintaineth not a false report give one against another; which latter particle seemeth to be the better since he had spoken before expressly touching the good name of another not to be hurt or wronged with our tongue. To the which fault this is next in degree wherewith we are too much encumbered and which we scarce acknowledge to be a fault when we further and maintain the slanders devised and given out by another against a man either by hearing them or telling them forth to others as we heard them. For why? It seemeth for the most part to be enough for us if we can say that we feign not this or that nor make it of our own heads but only tell it forth as we heard it of others without adding anything of our own brain. But as oft as we do this we fail in our duty doing in not providing for our neighbour's credit as were requisite for the things which being uttered by others ought to be passed over in silence and to lie dead we gather up and by telling them forth disperse them abroad which whether it be a sin or no when as we ought by all means possible to wish and do well unto our neighbours all men do see. And therefore thou that travellest towards eternal life must not only not devise false reports and slanders against other men but also not so much as have them in thy mouth being devised by others neither by any means assist or maintain them in slandering; but by all honest and lawful means provide for the credit and estimation of thy neighbour so much as in thee lieth. Peter Baro D.D. 1560.

Verse 3. "He that backbiteth not with his tongue." The Hebrew word (Heb.) signifieth to play the spy and by a metaphor to backbite or slander for backbiters and whisperers after the manner of spies go up and down dissembling their malice that they may espy the faults and defects of others whereof they may make a malicious relation to such as will give ear to their slanders. So that backbiting is a malicious defamation of a man behind his back. . . . . . And that the citizen of heaven doth and ought to abhor from backbiting the horrible wickedness of this sin doth evince. For first Leviticus 19:16 where it is straightly forbidden the "tale-bearer" is compared to a pedlar: "Thou shalt not walk about with tales and slanders as it were a pedlar among thy people." So much (Heb.) signifieth. For as the pedlar having bought his wares of some one or more goeth about from house to house that he may sell the same to others; so backbiters and tale-bearers gathering together tales and rumours as it were wares go from one to another that such wares as either themselves have invented or have gathered by report they may utter in the absence of their neighbour to his infamy and disgrace. Likewise Psalm 50:20 it is condemned as a notable crime which God will not suffer to go unpunished; Ezekiel 22:9 it is reckoned among the abominations of Jerusalem for which destruction is denounced against it; and Romans 1:29 30 among the crimes of the heathen given over unto a reprobate sense this is placed: they were "whisperers and backbiters." George Downame.

Verse 3. "He that backbiteth not." He that is guilty of backbiting that speaks evil of another behind his back if that which he speaks be false is guilty of lying which is prejudicial to salvation. If that which he speaks be true yet he is void of charity in seeking to defame another. For as Solomon observes "Love covereth all sins." Proverbs 10:12. Where there is love and charity there will be a covering and concealing of men's sins as much as may be. Now where charity is wanting their salvation is not to be expected. 1 Corinthians 13:1 etc.; 1 John 3:14 15. Christopher Cartwright 1602-1658.

Verse 3. "Backbiteth not." This crime is a conjugation of evils and is productive of infinite mischiefs; it undermines peace and saps the foundation of friendship; it destroys families and rends in pieces the very heart and vitals of charity; it makes an evil man party and witness and judge and executioner of the innocent. Bishop Taylor.

Verse 3. "Backbiteth." The scorpion hurteth none but such as he toucheth with the tip of his tail; and the crocodile and basilisk slay none but such as either the force of their sight or strength of their breath reacheth. The viper woundeth none but such as it biteth; the venomous herbs or roots kill none but such as taste or handle or smell them and so come near unto them; but the poison of slanderous tongues is much more rank and deadly; for that hurteth and slayeth woundeth and killeth not only near but afar off; not only at hand but by distance of place removed; not only at home but abroad; not only in our own nation but in foreign countries; and spareth neither quick nor dead. Richard Turnbull.

Verse 3. "Backbiteth." The word here used comes from a root signifying foot and denotes a person who goes about from house to house speaking things he should not (1 Timothy 5:13); and a word from this root siginifies spies; and the phrase here may point at persons who creep into houses pry into the secrets of families divulge them and oftentimes represent them in a false light. Such are ranked among the worst of men and are very unfit to be in the society of saints or in the Church of Christ. See Romans 1:30. John Gill.

Verse 3. "Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour." The saints of God must not be too light of hearing much less of believing all tales rumours and reports of their brethren; and charity requireth that we do not only stop and stay them but that we examine them before we believe them. Saul the king too light of belief in this point believed the slanderous and false reports of David's enemies who put into Saul's head that David imagined evil against him. Yea David himself showed his great infirmity in that that without due examination and proof of the matter he believed the false report of Ziba against Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan; of whom to David the king persecuted by Absalom his son Ziba reported falsely that he should say "This day shall the house of Israel restore unto me the kingdom of my father." The example of whose infirmity in Scripture reproved must not we follow; but let us rather embrace the truth of that heavenly doctrine which through God's Spirit here he preacheth that we believe not false reports against our neighbours. Richard Turnbull.

Verse 3. Despise not thy neighbour but think thyself as bad a sinner and that the like defects may befall thee. If thou canst not excuse his doing excuse his intent which may be good; or if the deed be evil think it was done of ignorance; if thou canst no way excuse him think some great temptation befell him and that thou shouldst be worse if the like temptation befell thee; and give God thanks that the like as yet hath not befallen thee. Despise not a man being a sinner for though he be evil to-day he may turn to-morrow. William Perkins 1558-1602.

Verses 3 4 5. They that cry down moral honesty cry down that which is a great part of religion my duty towards God and my duty towards man. What care I to see a man run after a sermon if he cozens and cheats as soon as he comes home? On the other side morality must not be without religion for if so it may change as I see convenience. Religion must govern it. He that has not religion to govern his morality is not a dram better than my mastiff-dog; so long as you stroke him and please him and do not pinch him he will play with you as finely as may be he is a very good moral mastiff; but if you hurt him he will fly in your face and tear out your throat. John Seldon 1584-1654.

Verse 4. "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned " etc. When wicked Jehoram king of Israel came to Eliseus the prophet to ask counsel of the Lord and to entreat for waters having in company Jehoshaphat the king of Judah being virtuous; the prophet showeth his contempt to the one being wicked and his reverence to the other being godly faithful and virtuous said "As the Lord of hosts liveth before whom I stand were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah I would not look toward thee nor see thee." 2 Kings 3:14. Thus was the wicked vile in his sight; thus did he not flatter the ungodly. In like manner godly Mordecai the Jew having Haman the ambitious and proud Agagite in contempt would in no wise bow the knee unto him in sign of honour as the rest of the people did; for which cause he was extremely hated menaced and molested of proud and wicked Haman. To wink at their wickedness to uphold them in their iniquity to fawn upon them and flatter them to praise them when they deserve just reproof is as it were an honouring of them; to which as to a most grievous sin the prophet denounces a most bitter curse: "Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20. Richard Turnbull.

Verse 4. "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned." To contemn the wicked and honour the godly are opposite the one to the other. But the former may seem not to be sufficiently beseeming to a godly man. For why should he contemn or despise others who is commanded by all means to care for the credit of others as we heard even now? Nay a godly man letting others go ought to search into himself and to accuse himself but not to judge of others. But this saying of the prophet is to be understood rather of the faults than of the person. As every man therefore is to be loved so are the faults of every man to ne hated of the godly. For so is God himself whom we desire to be like unto that we might dwell with him affected and disposed. For why? he hateth no man nay he hateth nothing at all in this whole universal world but only sin. For he is the author and preserver of all things that be; and therefore doth good and wisheth well to all; only of sin he is not the author but the free and unconstrained will of man and Satan. Notwithstanding God doth so greatly hate sin that by reason thereof he doth sometimes neglect and forsake men yea and have them in contempt. So then a godly man nor contemneth any; but yet notwithstanding he disliketh sin in sinful men and that he sticketh not to let them perceive either by reproving them or shunning their company or by doing of some other thing whereby they may know they are misliked of good men for their enormities and see themselves to be contemned of others for their wicked and ungodly life. A good man therefore must not flatter the ungodly in their ungracious attempts but must freely declare that he disalloweth their course and conversation. Peter Baro.

Verse 4. "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned." Augustine as Posidonius writeth showing what hatred he had to tale-bearers and false reporters of others had two verses written over his table; by translation these:

"He that doth love with bitter speech the absent to defame
Must surely know that at this board no place is for the same."

Richard Turnbull.

Verse 4. "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned." The burgess of the New Jerusalem reprobos reprobat et probos probat; he cannot flatter any man nor fancy such as in whom he findeth not aliquid Christi something of the image of God. A golden Colosse stuffed with rubbish he cannot stoop to "But he honoureth them that fear the Lord " as the only earthly angels though never so mean and despicable in the world's eye. Mr. Fox being asked whether he remembered not such a poor servant of God who had received succour from him in time of trouble? answered "I remember him well; I tell you I forget the lords and ladies to remember such." John Trapp.

Verse 4. "He honoureth them that fear the Lord." Though the godly some way or other be injurious unto us we ought nevertheless to honour and not to despise them. So Joseph did Mary though he supposed her to have dealt injuriously with him; and she had done so indeed if it had been with her as he imagined. Calvin's resolution concerning Luther was very admirable in this respect. They differed much about the presence of Christ in the sacrament; and Luther being of a vehement spirit wrote bitterly against those who did hold otherwise in that point than himself did. This enforced some who were more nearly concerned in the business to prepare to answer Luther; which Calvin understanding and fearing lest they being provoked by Luther's tartness should deal with him in the like kind he wrote unto Bullinger a prime man among them persuading and exhorting him to carry the business so as to show all due respect unto Luther considering what worth and excellency there was in him however he had demeaned himself in that particular. And he adds that he often used to say that although Luther should call him devil yet he would do him that honour to acknowledge him a choice servant of God. Christopher Cartwright.

Verse 4. "He honoureth them that fear the Lord." I have read of one that said If he should meet a preacher and an angel together he would first salute the preacher and then the angel. Charles Bradbury's "Cabinet of Jewels " 1785.

Verse 4. "He that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not."

"His words are bonds his oaths are oracles;
His love sincere his thoughts immaculate;
His tears pure messengers sent from his heart;
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth."

William Shakspere.

Verse 5. The Puritanic divines are almost all of them against the taking of any interest upon money and go to the length of saying that one penny per cent. per annum will shut a man out of heaven if persisted in. It appeared to me to be useless to quote opinions in which I cannot agree especially as this would occupy space better employed. The demanding of excessive and grinding interest is a sin to be detested; the taking of the usual and current interest in a commercial country is not contrary to the law of love. The Jews were not engaged in commerce and to lend money even at the lowest interest to their fellow farmers in times of poverty would have been usurious; but they might lend to strangers who would usually be occupied in commerce because in the commercial world money is a fruitful thing and the lender has a right to a part of its products; a loan to enable a non-trader to live over a season of want is quite another matter. C. H. S.

Verse 5. "He that putteth not out his money to usury." By usury is generally understood the gain of anything above the principal or that which was lent exacted only in consideration of the loan whether it be in money corn wares or the like. It is most commonly taken for an unlawful profit which a person makes of his money or goods. The Hebrew word for usury signifies biting. The law of God prohibits rigorous imposing conditions of gain for the loan of money or goods and exacting them without respect to the condition of the borrower whether he gain or lose; whether poverty occasioned his borrowing or a visible prospect of gain by employing the borrowed goods. It is said in Exodus 22:25 26 "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee thou shalt not be to him an usurer neither shalt thou lay upon him usury " etc. And in Leviticus 25:35 36 37 "If thy brother be waxen poor and fallen into decay with thee then thou shalt relieve him; yea though he be a stranger or a sojourner that he may live with thee: take thou no usury of him " etc. This law forbids the taking usury from a brother that was poor an Israelite reduced to poverty or from a proselyte; but in Deuteronomy 23:20 God seems to tolerate usury towards strangers; "Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury." By strangers in this passage some understand the Gentiles in general or all such as were not Jews excepting proselytes. Others think that by strangers are meant the Canaanites and the other people that were devoted to slavery and subjection; of these the Hebrews were permitted to exact usury but not of such strangers with whom they had no quarrel and against whom the Lord had not denounced his judgments. The Hebrews were plainly commanded in Exodus 22:25 etc. not to receive usury for money from any that borrowed from necessity as in that case in Nehemiah 5:5 7. And such provision the law made for the preserving of estates to their families by the year of jubilee; for a people that had little concern in trade could not be supposed to borrow money but out of necessity: but they were allowed to lend upon usury to strangers whom yet they must not oppress. This law therefore in the strictness of it it obligeth us to show mercy to those we have advantage against and to be content to share with those we lend to in loss as well as profit if Providence cross them. And upon this condition a valuable commentator says It seems as lawful for me to receive interest for money which another takes pains with improves but runs the hazard of in trade as it is to receive rent for my land which another takes pains with improves but runs the hazard of in husbandry." Alexander Cruden 1701-1770.

Verse 5. "He that putteth not out his money to usury." "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee." Exodus 22:25. Rather according to the letter of the original "If thou lend money to my people even to a poor man with thee." The Israelites were a people but little engaged in commerce and therefore could not in general be supposed to borrow money but from sheer necessity; and of that necessity the lender was not to take advantage by usurious exactions. The law is not to be understood as a prohibition of interest at any rate whatever but of excessive interest or usury. The clause "Thou shalt not be to him as an usurer " is equivalent to saying 'Thou shalt not domineer and lord it over him rigorously and cruelly.' That this class of men were peculiarly to be extortionate and oppressive in their dealings with debtors would seem to be implied by the etymology of the original term for usury (Heb. neshek) which comes from a root signifying to bite; and in Nehemiah 5:2-5 we have a remarkable case of the bitter and grinding effects resulting from the creditor's rights over the debtor. A large portion of the people had not only mortgaged their lands vineyards and houses but had actually sold their sons and daughters into bondage to satisfy the claims of their grasping creditors. In this emergency Nehemiah espoused the cause of the poor and compelled the rich against whom he called the people together to remit the whole of their dues; and moreover exacted from them an oath that they would never afterwards oppress their poor brethren for the payment of those debts. This was not because every part of those proceedings had been contrary to the letter of the Mosaic law but because it was a flagrant breach of equity under the circumstances. It was taking a cruel and barbarous advantage of the necessities of their brethren at which God was highly indignant and which his servants properly rebuked. From this law the Hebrew canonists have gathered a general rule that "Whoso exacteth of a poor man and knoweth that he hath not aught to pay him he transgresseth against this prohibition Thou shalt not be to him as an exacting creditor." (Maimonides in Ainsworth.) We nowhere learn from the institutes delivered by Moses that the simple taking of interest especially from the neighbouring nations (Deuteronomy 23:19 20) was forbidden to the Israelites; but the divine law would give no countenance to the griping and extortionate practices to which miserly money-lenders are always prone. The deserving and industrious poor might sometimes be reduced to such straits that pecuniary accommodations might be very desirable to them; and towards such God would inculcate a mild kind and forbearing spirit and the precept is enforced by the relation which they sustained to him: q.d. "Remember that you are lending to my people my poor; and therefore take no advantage of their necessities. Trust me against the fear of loss and treat them kindly and generously." George Bush in "Notes on the Book of Exodus " 1856.

Verse 5. "He that putteth not out his money to usury." With respect to the first clause as David seems to condemn all kinds of usury in general and without exception the very name has been everywhere held in detestation. But crafty men have invented specious names under which to conceal the vice; and thinking by this artifice to escape they have plundered with greater excess than if they had lent on usury avowedly and openly. God however will not be dealt with and imposed upon by sophistry and false pretenses. He looks upon the thing as it really is. There is no worse species of usury than an unjust way of making bargains where equity is disregarded on both sides. Let us then remember that all bargains in which the one party unrighteously strives to make gain by the loss of the other party whatever name may be given to them are here condemned. It may be asked whether all kinds of usury are to be put into this denunciation and regarded as alike unlawful? If we condemn all without distinction there is a danger lest many seeing themselves brought into such a strait as to find that sin must be incurred in whatever way they can turn themselves may be rendered bolder by despair and may rush headlong into all kinds of usury without choice or discrimination. On the other hand whenever we concede that something may be lawfully done in this way many will give themselves loose reins thinking that a liberty to exercise usury without control or moderation has been granted them. In the first place therefore I would above all things counsel my readers to beware of ingeniously contriving deceitful pretexts by which to take advantage of their fellow men and let them not imagine that anything can be lawful to them which is grievous and hurtful to others. . . . . It is not without cause that God has in Leviticus 25:35 36 forbidden usury adding this reason: "And if thy brother be waxen poor and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea though he be a stranger or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him or increase." We see that the end for which the law was framed was that man should not cruelly oppress the poor who ought rather to receive sympathy and compassion. This was indeed a part of the judicial law which God appointed for the Jews in particular; but it is a common principle of justice which extends to all nations and to all ages that we should keep ourselves from plundering and devouring the poor who are in distress and want. Whence it follows that the gain which he who lends his money upon interest acquires without doing injury to any one is not to be included under the head of unlawful usury. The Hebrew word (Heb.) neshek which David employs being derived from another word which signifies to bite sufficiently shows that usuries are condemned in so far as they involve in them or lead to a license of robbing or plundering our fellow men. Ezekiel indeed (chapters 18:17 and 22:12) seems to condemn the taking of any interest whatever upon money lent; but he doubtless has an eye to the unjust and crafty arts of gaining by which the rich devoured the poor people. In short provided we had engraven on our hearts the rule of equity which Christ prescribes in Matthew 7:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them " it would not be necessary to enter into lengthened disputes concerning usury. John Calvin in loc.

Verse 5 (first clause). The Mosaic law forbids the lending of money for interest to an Israelite. Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:37; Deuteronomy 23:19; Proverbs 28:8; Ezekiel 18:8. In several of the passages referred to it is expressly supposed that money is lent only to the poor a supposition which has its ground in the simple relations of the Mosaic times in which lending for the purpose of speculation and gain had no existence. Such lending ought only to be a work of brotherly love; and it is a great violation of that if any one instead of helping his neighbour takes advantage of his need to bring him into still greater straits. The Mosaic regulation in question has accordingly its import also for New Testament times. With the interest-lending of capitalists who borrow for speculation it has nothing to do. This belongs to a quite different matter as is implied even by the name (Heb.) a mordendo according to which only such usury can be meant as plagues and impoverishes a neighbour. By unseasonable comparison with our modes of speech many would expound "His money he puts not to interest." E. W. Hengstenberg.

Verse 5 (first clause). The worm called in Latin teredo whereof Pliny hath reported something in his story breeding in wood to the touch as soft yet it hath such teeth as endeavoureth and consumeth the hard timber. So the usurer is a soft beast at first to handle but in continuance of time the hardness of his teeth will eat thee up both flesh and bone if thou beware not. He pleadeth love but not for thy sake but for his own; for as the ivy colleth and claspeth the oak as a lover but thereby it groweth up and over toppeth the oak and sucketh out the juice and sap thereof that it cannot thrive nor prosper; so the usurer colleth embraceth and claspeth in arms the borrower that thereby himself may grow richer and suck all wealth goods and riches from him that he never thriveth or prospereth after. The pleasure the usurer showeth is like the playing of the cat with the silly mouse: the cat playeth with the mouse but the play of the cat is the death of the mouse. The usurer pleasureth the borrower; but the pleasure of the usurer is the undoing of the borrower. The fox through craft slideth and tumbleth and maketh much pastime till he come to the prey then he devoureth: the usurer maketh many fair speeches giveth out many fair promises pretendeth very great kindness until he have got thee within his compass then he crusheth and cruciateth thee. The usurer preyeth upon the poor he waxeth rich at the penury of his brother he clotheth himself with the coat of the naked he gathereth riches of the indigency and want of his neighbour; he feedeth himself of the bread of the hungry and devoureth his poor brother as the beasts do the smaller; than which saith Ambrose there is no greater inhumanity and cruelty no greater wretchedness and iniquity as Chrysostom in many places and Basil upon this Psalm have well observed. Richard Turnbull.

Verse 5. The rich make the poor to fill them; for usurers feed upon the poor even as great fishes devour the small. Therefore he which said Let there not be a beggar in Israel (Deuteronomy 15:4) said too Let there not be an usurer in Israel. For if there be usurers in Israel there will be beggars in Israel; for usurers make beggars even as lawyers make quarrellers. . . . . It is a miserable occupation to live by sin and a great comfort to a man when he looketh upon his gold and silver and his heart telleth him All this is well gotten; and when he lieth upon his death-bed and must leave all to his children he can say unto them I leave you mine own; but the usurer cannot say I leave you mine own but I leave you other men's; therefore the usurer can never die in peace because if he die before he maketh restitution he dieth in his sin. Henry Smith.

Verse 5. Biting usurers were so abhorred in the primitive church that as they condemned the usurer himself so they made the scribes who wrote the bonds and also the witnesses incapable of any benefit; and that no testament or latter will written by such should be valid. The house of the usurer was called domus Satanae the house of the devil; and they ordained that no man should eat or drink with such usurer nor fetch fire from them; and after they were dead that they should not be buried in Christian burial. The conclusion of this is (Ezekiel 18:13) this sin is matched with theft; and verse ll with adultery; and verse 12 with violence; it is the daughter of oppression and sister to idolatry and he that doth these things shall not dwell in God's holy hill. Albeit these worldlings think themselves more honest than thieves and adulterers yet the Lord maketh their case all alike. John Weemse 1636.

Verse 5. "Taketh reward against the innocent." I am sure this is scala inferni the right way to hell to be covetous to take bribes and pervert justice. If a judge should ask me the way to hell I should show him this way: First let him be a covetous man; let his heart be poisoned with covetousness. Then let him go a little further and take bribes; and lastly pervert judgments. Lo here is the mother and the daughter and the daughter's daughter. Avarice is the mother; she brings forth bribe-taking and bribe-taking perverting of judgment. There lacks a fourth thing to make up the mess which so help me God if I were judge should be hangum tuum a Tyburn tippet to take with him; an it were the judge of the King's Bench my Lord Chief Judge of England yea an it were my Lord Chancellor himself to Tyburn with him. Hugh Latimer.

Verse 5. Taketh reward against the innocent." I come to corrupt lawyers and advocates who so often take rewards against the innocent as they do take upon them the defence of such causes as they in their own conscience are persuaded to be evil and unjust. Which being so common a fault among lawyers as that very few which plead causes either in civil or ecclesiastical courts do seem to make any conscience thereof to whom all is fish that cometh to their nets; therefore all lawyers are to be exhorted to apply this note unto themselves. George Downame.

Verse 5. "He that doeth." 'Tis not said he that professes this or that or he that believes thus and thus or he that is of such or such an opinion or way of worship or he that sets up new lights and pretends the Spirit for his immediate guide; 'tis not he that hears much or talks much of religion; no nor he that preaches and prays much nor he that thinks much of these things and means well; but 'tis he that "doeth these things"—that is actually employed about them—that is the religious and truly godly man. 'Tis not I say a formal professor a confidant solifidian a wild opinionist a high-flown perfectist; it is not a constant hearer or a mighty talker or a laborious teacher or a gifted brother or a simple well-wisher must pass; but 'tis the honest and sincere doer of these things that will abide the test and stand the trial; when all other flashy pretences shall in those searching flames be burnt and consumed like "hay and stubble " as the apostle expresses it. To wear Christ's livery and to do him no service is but to mock a gracious Master; to own him in our profession and deny him in our practice is with Judas to betray him with a kiss of homage; with the rude soldiers to bow the knee before him and in the meantime to beat his sacred head with his reeden sceptre and with Pilate to crown him with thorns to crucify the Lord and write over his head "King of the Jews:" in a word to grieve him with our honours and wound him with our acknowledgments. A Christian profession without a life answerable will be so far from saving any one that 'twill highly aggravate his condemnation; when a dissembled friendship at the great day of discoveries shall be looked upon as the worst of enmities. A mere outside formality of worship is at best but Prometheus's sacrifice a skeleton of bones and a religious cheat. . . . . . The harmless humour of meaning well is not enough to approve a man's spiritual state to acquit obligations or to ascertain his expectations. For he that bids us "eschew evil" does immediately subjoin that we must "follow" and "hold fast that which is good." It will be no good account not to have done evil unless we make it appear that we have been doing good too; since the non-commission of great sins will not excuse our omission of great duties. In the best commonwealth of bees the drone without a sting as she has no weapon for mischief so wanting a tool for employ is deservedly cashiered the hive. Condensed from Adam Littleton D.D. 1627-1694.

Verse 5. "He that doeth these things shall never be moved." Mark how the prophet saith not he that readeth these things or he that heareth these things but he that doth them shall never be removed. For were it enough to read or hear these precepts then should an infinite number of vain and wicked persons enter into and continue in the church which notwithstanding have no place therein; for there are very few or none at all which have not read or at least have not heard these things yet they will not do them. Neither doth he say he that talketh of these things but he that doth them; for many now in these days can talk gloriously of uprightness justice truth in whom notwithstanding there is neither upright dealings nor sound righteousness nor unfeigned truth to be found. Many can say that slander is sin injury is iniquity to receive false reports is uncharitable that it becometh not the saints to flatter the wicked that to break promise and falsify their oaths is unseemly to give upon usury is oppression to receive bribes against the innocent is extreme cruelty; yet themselves backbite and hurt their neighbour they themselves believe every tale that is brought them they flatter and fawn upon the wicked for advantage they swear and forswear for commodity they oppress through usury and receive gifts of bribery against the innocent; and so in word they speak of these things but do them not indeed. . . . . . . Neither doth David say he that preacheth these "shall never be removed " for then not only many other wicked persons which can speak of yea many ungodly men which can also preach of virtue should have the place in the Lord's tabernacle and rest upon his holy hill; but also among others even Balaam the covetous prophet should have a sure place in God's tabernacle; for he could say "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God to do less or more" (Numbers 22:18); yet he took rewards; yet he was carried away with covetousness as much as in him lay to work the destruction of Israel the innocent people of the Lord. Richard Turnbull.

Verse 5. "Shall never be moved." Moved he may be for a time but not removed for ever. His soul is bound up in the bundle of life near unto the throne of glory; when the souls of the wicked are restless as a stone in the midst of a sling saith the Targum in 1 Samuel 25. John Trapp.

Verse 5 (last clause). The holy soul is the love of God the joy of angels; her eyes dare look upon the glorious Judge whom she knows to be her Saviour. Her heart is courageous; she dares stand the thunder; and when guilty minds creep into corners she is confident in him that will defend her. She challengeth the whole world to accuse her of injustice and fears not the subornation of false witnesses because she knows the testimony of her own conscience. Her language is free and bold without the guiltiness of broken stops. Her forehead is clear and smooth as the brow of heaven. Her knees are ever bent to the throne of grace; her feet traveling toward Jerusalem; her hands weaving the web of righteousness. Good men bless her; good angels guard her; the Son of God doth kiss her; and when all the world shall be turned to a burning pile she shall be brought safe to the mountain of joy and set in a throne of blessedness for ever. Thomas Adams.

---

HINTS TO THE VILLAGE PREACHER

Verse 1. Qualifications for church membership on earth and in heaven. A subject for self-examination.

Verse 1.
I. Comparison of the church to the tabernacle. God's presence manifested sacrifice offered and vessels of grace preserved in it;mean externally glorious within.
II. Comparison of its double position to that of the tabernacle. Moving in the wilderness and fixed on the hill.
III. Enquire into qualification for admittance into church and tabernacle. Parallel with the priests etc.

Verse 1. The great question. Asked by idle curiosity despair godly fear earnest enquirer soul troubled by falls of others holy faith. Give answer to each.

Verse 1. The citizen of Zion described. Thomas Boston's Sermons.

Verse 1. Anxiety to know the true saints how far lawful and profitable.

Verse 1. God the only infallible discerner of true saints.

Verse 2. "He that walketh uprightly."
I. What he must be. He must be upright in heart. A man himself bent double cannot walk uprightly.
II. How he must act. Neither from impulse ambition gain fear or flattery. He must not be warped in any direction but stand perpendicularly.
III. What he must expect. Snares etc. to trip him.
IV. Where he must walk. Path of duty the only one in which he can walk uprightly.
V. Where he must look. Up right-up and then he will be upright.

Verse 2. "Speaketh the truth in his heart." Subject:— Heart falsehood and heart truth.

Verse 2 (first clause). The citizen of Zion an upright walker.

Verse 2 (middle clause). The citizen of Zion a worker of righteousness.

Verse 2 (last clause). The citizen of Zion a speaker of truth. Four Sermons in Thomas Boston's Works.

Verse 3. The evils of detraction. It affects three persons here mentioned: the backbiter the suffering neighbour and the taker-up of the reproach.

Verse 3. "Nor taketh up a reproach." The sin of being too ready to believe ill reports. Common cruel foolish injurious wicked.

Verse 4. The duty of practically honouring those who fear the Lord. Commendation deference assistance imitation etc.

Verse 4. The sin of estimating persons other than by their practical characters.

Verse 4 (last clause). The Lord Jesus as our unchanging Surety his oath and his hurt.

Verse 5. The evidences and privileges of godly men.

Verse 5 (last clause). The fixedness and safety of the godly.

---

WORKS UPON THE FIFTEENTH PSALM

Fower Sermons and Two Questions as they were uttered and disputed by that learned Frenchman P[ETER] B[ARO]. 1560.

Lectures on the XV. Psalme read in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in London. By GEORGE DOWNAME. Doctor of Divinitie London. 1604. 4to.

Four Sermons by way of Exposition of Psalm XV. by RICHARD TURNBULL are found at the end of the old 4to containing his Exposition of the Epistles of James and Jude. There is no separate title page to the Exposition of the Psalm; the date of the book is 1606.

The Works of John Boys D.D. Deane of Canterburie 1629 folio contains Expositions of Psalms II. IX. and XV. (The folio edition of Boys' Works consists of Expositions of the Scriptures used in the Liturgy.)

A Practical and Polemical Commentary or Exposition on the whole Fifteenth Psalm wherein the text is learnedly and fruitfully explained some controversies discussed sundry cases of conscience are cleared; more especially that of USURIE. By CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT late minister of Saint-Martin's in the city of York. 1658. 4to.

── C.H. Spurgeon《The Treasury of David》