Psalms 15:1

David describeth a citizen of Zion.

A Psalm of David.

Title.— לדוד מזמור mizmor ledavid. It is not known with any certainty when David composed this Psalm. Bishop Patrick thinks that it was upon his bringing the ark to mount Sion, 2 Samuel 6., or upon his being restored to it again, after having been driven from it by Absalom. The latter part of it is an answer to the question in the first verse, which gains additional authority as being delivered by God himself. It contains a fine exhortation to the people, to live as became those who were under the government of the righteous God. On which account it seems probable, that it was rather composed for the use of the people, when they assembled there to worship at the stated annual solemnities.

Psalms 15:1. Lord, who shall abide, &c.— Heb. יגור מי mii iagur. Who shall sojourn and lodge.—i.e. "Whom wilt thou admit to pay thee honour in thy temple?" an expression accommodated to the nation, which came from all parts three times a year, to do homage in the temple; the answer, therefore, to this question in the last verse, is, He that doeth these things shall never be shaken; i.e. he shall ever be prosperous, and in a condition to pay his duty to God at Jerusalem. This gives the Psalm the air of one of those which are called Psalms of ascent, and which were sung on occasion of their going up to Jerusalem at their usual solemnities. Mudge.