Psalms 15:1

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

A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. LORD {H3068}, who shall abide {H1481} in thy tabernacle {H168}? who shall dwell {H7931} in thy holy {H6944} hill {H2022}?

A psalm of David: ADONAI, who can rest in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain?

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain?

Jehovah, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psalms 15:1 opens with a profound and timeless question posed by King David, setting the stage for a deep reflection on righteous living and spiritual integrity. This verse encapsulates humanity's longing to draw near to God and understand the qualifications for dwelling in His divine presence.

Context

Authored by David, this psalm is often referred to as a "Torah Psalm" or an "Entrance Liturgy." It presents a series of ethical and moral qualifications for those seeking to enter God's presence. The questions "who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" are rhetorical, designed to introduce the attributes detailed in the subsequent verses (Psalms 15:2-5). The setting invokes the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God's presence dwelt among His people, and the "holy hill," likely referring to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) was located.

Key Themes

  • Access to God's Presence: The central theme is the yearning to be in God's dwelling place, highlighting the sacredness and exclusivity of His presence. This opening verse poses a fundamental question, echoed in Psalm 24:3, regarding who is worthy to enter God's sacred space.
  • Holiness and Righteousness: The psalm immediately raises the standard for those who wish to draw near to a holy God. It implies that proximity to God is not merely physical but spiritual, requiring a certain character and conduct.
  • Ethical Conduct: While the question is posed in verse 1, the rest of the psalm provides a detailed list of moral and ethical behaviors that define a person fit for God's fellowship.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Tabernacle" (מִשְׁכָּן, mishkan): This Hebrew word refers to the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and before the construction of the Temple. It literally means "dwelling place" and signifies God's tangible presence among His people.
  • "Holy hill" (הַר קָדְשׁוֹ, har qodsho): This likely refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Tabernacle (and later Solomon's Temple) was established. It symbolizes the spiritual and physical center of Israel's worship and God's sovereign rule. Both terms underscore the sacredness and the divine nature of the place where God chose to reveal Himself.

Related Scriptures

The qualifications laid out in this psalm resonate throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of a life lived in accordance with God's will. For instance, the call to walk blamelessly and work righteousness is a consistent biblical theme, found in passages like Micah 6:8. Ultimately, the New Testament reveals that true access to God's presence is through faith in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and opened the way for believers to approach God's throne of grace (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Practical Application

Psalms 15:1 serves as a powerful call to introspection for every believer. It prompts us to examine our lives and ask if our conduct, integrity, and relationships reflect the character of God. While Old Testament worship involved physical access to the Tabernacle or Temple, the spiritual principle remains: a pure heart and righteous living are essential for true fellowship with God. For Christians, this verse reminds us that while we have direct access to God through Christ, the desire to "abide" and "dwell" in His presence should motivate us to live lives that honor Him, striving for holiness as a response to His grace.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 24:3

    ¶ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

  • Psalms 24:5

    He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

  • Psalms 84:4

    Blessed [are] they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

  • Psalms 61:4

    I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

  • Psalms 92:13

    Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

  • Revelation 21:23

    And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

  • Revelation 21:24

    And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
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