Text: Psa 15:1-5
A. His attitude towards God (15:2).
He lives by the word of God – “walketh uprightly”. a. The word of God guides him in his decisions (Psa 119:105) – David was commended by God for walking “in integrity of heart, and in uprightness” (1Ki 9:4). b. The word of God should be our guide in making decisions – it contains great wisdom for us in choosing our careers, our spouses, and in raising a family.
He lives out the word of God – “worketh righteousness”. a. The word of God guides him in his deeds (Joh 6:38) – David was commended by God for fulfilling “all my will” (Act 13:22). b. The word of God should be our guide in what we do – it contains practical principles for us in our daily living.
He lives on the word of God – “speaketh the truth in his heart”. a. The word of God guides him in his devotion (Psa 1:2) – David meditated on the word of God “all the day” (Psa 119:97). b. The word of God should be our guide in our thoughts – it guards us against sinful thoughts and desires.
B. His attitude towards others (15:3).
He speaks no evil – “backbiteth not with his tongue”. a. He does not gossip (Lev 19:16) – David could have exposed the sins of Saul upon his death but he focused on the good done by Saul instead (2Sa 1:23-24). b. In order not to speak evil of others, we need to guard our heart because what we say comes from our hearts (Luk 6:45).
He does no evil – “nor doeth evil to his neighbour”. a. He does not retaliate with evil (Lev 19:18) – David had opportunities on at least 2 occasions to kill Saul but he spared the life of his persecutor instead (1Sa 24:4-7; 26:8-11). b. In order not to do evil to others, we need to have love because love will bear, believe, hope, and endure all things (1Co 13:7).
He harbours no evil – “nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour”. a. He does not bear grudges (Lev 19:17-18) – David did not hold any grudge against Saul but he put to death those who killed Saul and his son Ishbosheth instead (2Sa 1:14-16; 4:9-12). b. In order not to harbour evil against others, we need to have a higher opinion of others than ourselves because we will put the interests of others before ourselves (Php 2:3-4).
C. His attitude towards self (15:4-5).
He despises the wicked and honours the righteous – “in whose eyes a vile person is contemned… honoureth them that fear the LORD”. a. He abstains from the wicked and speaks out against their evil (Eph 5:11), knowing that evil companions can corrupt good morals (1Co 15:33) – David hated the wicked and refused to keep company with them (Psa 26:5) b. He holds the righteous in high regard and loves them (1Th 5:12-13), knowing that good companions can inspire and motivate (Ecc 4:9-10) – David honoured the memory of Jonathan at his death for his faithfulness to God and himself (2Sa 1:19,25-27).
He keeps his word regardless the cost and retains his integrity regardless the price – “sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not… putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent”. a. He is faithful to his promises even if it is to his detriment (Num 30:2), knowing that God regards vows seriously (Ecc 5:4-5) – David kept his covenant with Jonathan in showing kindness to his son Mephibosheth after his death (1Sa 20:14-17; 2Sa 9:7). b. He holds fast to his integrity even if he loses out in so doing (Job 2:910), knowing that his soul is more precious than anything the world has to offer (Mat 16:26) – David was an upright man that even Achish, a Philistine king, acknowledged so and wanted to bring him to battle with him (1Sa 29:6).God