V1 – This verse brings about an important aspect about worship. In the Old testament, worship mainly happened in the sanctuary of God (the tabernacle). People gathered there to worship, pray and give their offerings and sacrifices. It is also the place where they heard from God and received forgiveness of their sins. The high priest offered the sacrifices of sin for the people and was the senior most human being in relation to tabernacle worship.
In Hebrews, however, we learn that this tabernacle was only but a shadow or a copy of what is in heaven.
Hebrews 8: 5 NLT – They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”
Through Christ, however, we now have access to the real tabernacle, where God is. And Christ is our High Priest. He became our high priest because of the sacrifice He died for our sin on the cross.
Hebrews 9:24 NLT– For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf.
And so, to paraphrase…Psalm 15:1 is now asking… who is the person who will enter into this sanctuary of God where Christ is our high priest? Who is the person who will be able to worship at God’s Holy Hill?
Clearly, there is a person who worships here… It’s not just any kind of person. These coming verses will help you and I to know who this person is.
V2-5 – David now outlines the person who will be able to worship there at God’s holy hill. He says it’s the person who
- Leads a blameless life
- Does what is right
- Speaks the truth from a sincere heart
- Does not gossip
- Does not harm their neighbor
- Does not speak evil of their friend
- Despises flagrant sinners (Words similar to flagrant are: blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, evident, conspicuous, naked)
- Lends without interest
- Cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent
From this breakdown, David explains in summary that it’s the person who hates sin and is walking uprightly with the Lord. Obviously, there are very many things that David has not mentioned here that speak about an upright life.
I see a number of themes in these verses that can help us see the bigger picture.
- Blamelessness
- Right living
- Truth and Sincerity
- Love towards all people
- Hating of sin
(You might also see quite a lot more in your own reflection)
I wonder what these themes are really speaking of. Essentially, I understand this is talking about a TRUE BELIEVER/DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST.
A believer or a disciple of Christ loves God’s word and honors it by obeying it. I see that David is saying that the person who will worship God in his presence is the kind of person who is walking by the Spirit and not living in the flesh. This person is fully submitted to the Lordship of Christ and obeys what God’s word says. This person has a sincere and deep desire to please the Lord and wants to deepen their relationship with God. This person deeply longs for fellowship with God and readily worships God for who He is. This is the person who depends on the Lord and trusts Him. It’s also the person who does not hide their sin, they confess it and repent of it.
So, how are we to be this person that David is saying here?
First, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you have not made this decision, please do it right now. And you can do it on your own because this is between you and Jesus. If you are wondering what to say, here is a simple prayer you can use:
“Jesus, I want to know you. I want you to come into my life. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin so that I could be fully accepted by you. Only you can give me the power to change and become the person you created me to be. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me eternal life. I give my life to you. Please do with it as you wish. Amen.”
After you have committed your life to the Lord, be a sincere and true disciple. Be led of the Holy Spirit:
Galatians 5:16-17 NLT – So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Cultivate a discipline of daily reading and studying God’s word (the Bible) and pray at all times. Also, join a fellowship of believers, A bible believing Church. As you get to know God more and more, you will be led of the Holy Spirit to change your ways and make them be what God wants you to be.
In conclusion, In verse 5, David says “Such people will stand firm forever.” They will not be shaken by issues and circumstances because they trust in God. And they will go on to enjoy eternal life.
(Lord Jesus, please help my reader and I to be true disciples. Give us a true and sincere desire to please you and to walk with you. In your precious name, we pray. Amen.)