Psalms 15:4

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.

In whose eyes {H5869} a vile person {H3988} is contemned {H959}; but he honoureth {H3513} them that fear {H3373} the LORD {H3068}. He that sweareth {H7650} to his own hurt {H7489}, and changeth {H4171} not.

who look with scorn on the vile, but honor those who fear ADONAI; who hold to an oath, no matter the cost;

who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honoreth them that fear Jehovah; He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not;

Commentary

Context

Psalm 15, often described as a "liturgical psalm" or a "Torah psalm," poses a fundamental question: "LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" (Psalm 15:1). The verses that follow, including verse 4, provide a character sketch of the righteous individual who is fit to stand in God's presence. This psalm sets a high standard for those seeking to have a close relationship with the divine, outlining not just outward religious acts but deep internal character and moral integrity.

Key Themes

  • Moral Discernment and Righteous Association: The first part of the verse describes a person who possesses a clear moral compass. They do not approve of wickedness but rather hold "vile" or contemptible persons in low esteem due to their ungodly actions. Conversely, they "honour them that fear the LORD," showing respect and admiration for those who live in reverence and obedience to God. This highlights the importance of both discerning evil and associating with righteousness.
  • Unwavering Integrity and Faithfulness: The latter part of the verse emphasizes absolute trustworthiness. A righteous person is someone who "sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not." This means they keep their promises and oaths, even when doing so results in personal disadvantage, loss, or discomfort. It speaks to profound integrity, reliability, and commitment to one's word, a foundational aspect of Biblical integrity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "a vile person is contemned" uses "contemned" from the Hebrew word nima'as (ื ึดืžึฐืึธืก), meaning to be despised, rejected, or held in contempt. This isn't about personal animosity but a moral and righteous rejection of wickedness itself and those who embody it. The righteous individual does not approve of or participate in evil. The phrase "fear the LORD" (Hebrew: yire' Yahweh) signifies a deep reverence, awe, respect, and obedience to God, which is often presented as the beginning of wisdom throughout the Old Testament.

Related Scriptures

  • The principle of honoring those who fear the Lord aligns with the broader Biblical teaching on associating with the wise and righteous, as seen in Proverbs 13:20.
  • The steadfastness in keeping oaths, even to one's detriment, is a high standard of truthfulness. This commitment to one's word is further emphasized in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches simplicity and truthfulness in speech, as seen in Matthew 5:37 ("But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."). Similarly, James 5:12 also warns against casual swearing, advocating for straightforward honesty.

Practical Application

Psalm 15:4 provides a timeless challenge for believers today. It calls us to:

  1. Cultivate Discernment: In a world that often blurs moral lines, we are called to clearly distinguish between good and evil, rejecting what is vile and celebrating what is righteous. This applies to our choices in media, entertainment, and the company we keep.
  2. Uphold Integrity: Our word should be our bond. In an age where promises are easily broken, the believer is called to be exceptionally trustworthy. This builds credibility and demonstrates the character of Christ in all areas of life, from business dealings to personal relationships.
  3. Value Godly Character: We should actively seek out and honor those who genuinely fear the Lord, supporting and learning from their example. This fosters a community built on shared values and mutual encouragement in faith.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 11:35 (11 votes)

    And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.

  • Matthew 5:33 (8 votes)

    ยถ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

  • Psalms 101:6 (5 votes)

    Mine eyes [shall be] upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

  • 1 John 3:14 (4 votes)

    ยถ We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.

  • Isaiah 32:5 (4 votes)

    The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said [to be] bountiful.

  • Isaiah 32:6 (4 votes)

    For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

  • Psalms 101:4 (4 votes)

    A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked [person].