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 a vile person is contemned - "a vile person;" literally, 'one rejected (by God)' х_ NIM'AAC _ (H3988)], in contrast to "them that fear the Lord." So the same Hebrew is translated, Jeremiah 6:30, "Reprobate (rather, rejected) silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them." BUT HE HONOURETH THEM THAT FEAR THE LORD - and that are therefore honoured by the Lord, in contrast to 'the rejected' by God in the first clause. A man's disposition is easily seen by his associates. The righteous man instinctively shrinks from the unrighteousness. Not all the wealth, learning, or power in the world can recommend their possessor if unrighteous. On the o

The first part of this verse is explained in different ways. Some draw from it this meaning, that the true servants of God are contemptible and worthless in their own estimation. If we adopt this interpretation, the copula _and, _which David does not express, must be supplied, making the reading thus, _He is vile and despised in his own eyes. _But besides the consideration, that, if this had been the sense, the words would probably have been joined together by the copula _and, _I have another reason which leads me to think that David had a different meaning, He compares together two opposite things, namely, to despise perverse and worthless characters, and to honor the righteous and those who fear God. In order that these two clauses may correspond with each other, the only sense in which I can understand what is here said about _being despised _is this, that the children of God despise...

Verse Psalms 15:4. _IN WHOSE EVES A VILE PERSON IS CONTEMNED_] 7. This man judges of others by their conduct; he tries no man's heart. He knows men only by the _fruits_ they bear; and thus he gains knowledge of the _principle_ from which they proceed. A _vile person_, נמאס nimas, the _reprobate_, one abandoned to sin; is _despised_, נבזה nibzeh, is _loathsome_, as if he were covered with the _elephantiasis_ or _leprosy_, for so the word implies. He may be _rich_, he may be _learned_, he may be a _great man_ and _honourable_ with his master, in high offices in the state; but if he be a spiritual _leper_, an _infidel_, a _profligate_, the righteous man must despise him, and hold him, because he is an enemy to God and to man, in sovereign contempt. If he be in power, he will not treat him as if _worthy_ o

IN WHOSE EYES A VILE PERSON IS CONTEMNED - That is, who does not show respect to a man of base or bad character on account of his wealth, his position, or his rank in life. He estimates character as it is in itself, and not as derived from rank, relationship, or station. While, as stated in the previous verse, he is not disposed to take up a false or evil report against another, he is at the same time disposed to do justice to all, and does not honor those who do not deserve to be honored, or apologise for base conduct because it is committed by one of exalted station or rank. Loving virtue and piety for their own sake, he hates all that is opposite; and where conduct deserves reprobation, no matter where found, he does not hesitate to avow his conviction in regard to it. The sentiment here is substantially the same as in Psalms 1:1. See the notes at that verse....

EXPOSITION So much having been said in so many psalms of the privileges and blessings accorded to the righteous man (Psalms 1:3; Psalms 3:8; Psalms 5:11, Psalms 5:12; 4:9,12, 18; Psalms 10:17, Psalms 10:18; Psalms 11:7, etc.), the arrangers of this book thought it fitting to insert in this place a definition, or description, of who the righteous man is. They found a "psalm of David" (see ti

IN WHOSE EYES A VILE PERSON IS CONTEMNED,.... A "vile" man is a very wicked, profligate, and abandoned creature, one that is to every good work reprobate; and such sometimes are in high places, Psalms 12:8; and are greatly caressed and esteemed by the men of the world; but then, as they are an abomination to God, they should be despised by his people, let them be what they will as to their riches, honours, and wisdom among men; as Haman was by Mordecai, Esther 3:2; and Ahab by Elisha, 2 Kings 3:14; and such who keep company with, and express a delight and pleasure in such sort of persons, ought by no means to have a place in the house of God. Some understand this of a good man being "despised in his own eyes", as it may be rendered

FEAR (_ See Scofield) - (Psalms 19:9). _...

Psalms 15 _ 1. The question (Psalms 15:1)_ 2. The answer (Psalms 15:2) Psalms 15:1. The connection with the previous Psalm is obvious. When He comes and that promised salvation becomes reality, who then shall sojourn in His tabernacle? Who shall dwell in His holy hill? Who will become a partaker of that kingdom, when the King is set upon the holy hill of Zion? Psalms 15:2. The answer is given. The character here described is impossible for the natural man. To walk uprightly, to work righteousness, to speak the truth in the heart and practise righte

XV. YAHWEH'S CLIENT. The Phœ nicians were familiar with the idea that a man might become the client of a god and so put himself under Divine protection. They used the same word for client as the Hebrews, viz. _gç r._ Hence we have such names in Phœ nician, as Gerastart, client of Astarte, Gerhekal, client of the temple, etc. But to be Yahweh's client moral qualities are necessary; indeed no others are mentioned here. With the whole Ps. _cf._ Isaiah 33:13. Psalms 15:1. tent (so Heb., _cf. mg._) is a poetical name for the Temple. Psalms 15:4. To his own hurt is abbreviated from to his own advantage or to his own hurt; whatever the result of keeping his oath may be to himself. _Cf._

TO HIS OWN HURT. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "to his neighbour"....