The Person’s Value –

He disassociates with Vile Person – Psalm 15:4a “In whose eyes a vile person is despised.”

First – David in Psalm 15:4a highlights the importance of having a strong sense of moral discernment and standing against evil:

• In whose eyes: The Hebrew Phrase “bəʿênāw” means in whose eyes, emphasizing the idea of how someone perceives or views others.
• A vile Person: The Hebrew word “nābāl” means a vile person or a fool, highlighting the idea of someone who is morally corrupt or foolish.
• Is despised: The Hebrew word “nāʾǎs” means is despised or is rejected, emphasizing the idea of having no regard or respect for someone who is morally corrupt.

Second – The themes of Psalm 15:4a “In whose eyes a vile person is despised.”

• Moral Discernment: Psalm 15:4a emphasizes the importance of having the strong sense of moral discernment, recognizing and rejecting evil and moral corruption.
• Standing against Evil: The Phrase “a vile person is despised” highlights the need to stand against evil and moral corruption, having no regard or respect for those who promote or engage in such behaviour.
• Qualifications for Worship: Psalm 15:4a is part of the larger Psalm that outlines the qualifications for Worshiping God, emphasizing the importance of living a life of moral integrity and standing against evil.

Third – the Biblical Parallels of Psalm 15:4a “In whose eyes a vile person is despised.”

• Proverbs 29:27 “An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.”
• Romans 12:9 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

Fourth – the implications of Psalm 15:4a “In whose eyes a vile person is despised.”

• Develop a strong sense of moral discernment: Believers should strive to develop a strong sense of moral discernment, recognising and rejecting evil and moral corruption.
• Stand against evil and moral corruption: Psalm 15:4a encourages Believers to stand against evil and moral corruption, having no regard or respect for those who promote or engage in such behaviour.

Fifth – the Person who “abides” and “dwells” in God’s Presence does not keep company with the vile Person, but he is also not critical of, “the vile (despicable) Person.” God’s Character now becomes his “standard” of evaluation. 

• One of the strongest condemnations in Scripture falls upon the Person who calls evil good – Isaiah 5:20 warns: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
• The Person does not praise a vile Person – As the righteous man honours those who fear God, he disassociates with those who are vile (evilness). 

Man’s outward circumstances are nothing to him. He accepts or reject according to men’s moral qualities. He estimates People according to the moral standard, not according to their wealth; a base Person is rejected (but not condemned), however rich he may be.

• C.H. Spurgeon: “A Sinner in a golden chain and silken robes is no more to be compared with a Saint in rags than a rush-light in a silver candlestick with the sun behind a cloud.”
• Peter Baro: “To condemn the wicked and honour the godly are opposite the one to other. God hates no man, nay, He hates nothing at all in this whole universal world, but only sin.”

The Person’s Attitude

He Honours them that Fears the LORD – Psalm 15:4b “But he honours those who fear the LORD.”

First – David in Psalm 15:4b highlights the importance of showing respect and honour to those who reverence and obey God:

• But: The Hebrew word “wə” means but or and, emphasizing the contrast between the previous phrase and this one.
• He (Righteous Person) Honours: The Hebrew word “yəkābēd” means he honours, or he esteems, highlighting the idea of showing respect and admiration for Someone.
• Those who fear the LORD: The Hebrew Phrase “ʾet yirʾê YHWH” means those who fear (reverence) the LORD, emphasizing the idea of reverence and obedience to God.

Second – the themes of Psalm 15:4b “But he honours those who fear the LORD.”

• Respect for the Righteous: Psalm 15:4b emphasizes the importance of showing respect and honour to those who reverence and obey God.
• Supporting the Faithful: The Phrase “he honours those who fear the LORD” highlights the need to support and encourage those who are Faithful to God.
• Qualifications for Worship: Psalm 15:4b is part of the larger Psalm that outlines the qualifications for Worshiping God, emphasizing the importance of living a life of reverence and obedience to God.

Third – the Biblical Parallels of Psalm 15:4b “But he honours those who fear the LORD.”

• Proverbs 14:31 “He who oppresses the Poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honours Him has mercy on the Needy.”
• Romans 13:7 “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.”

Fourth – the implications of Psalm 15:4b “But he honours those who fear the LORD.”

• Show respect to the Righteous: Believers should strive to show respect and honour to those who reverence and obey God.
• Support the Faithful: Psalm 15:4b encourages Believers to support and encourage those who are Faithful to God, recognizing the importance of community and mutual support in the Christian life.

Fifth – the second portion of Psalm 15:4b reads, “…but he honours them that fear the LORD.”

• In contrast to their disdain for wicked Individuals, a righteous Person honours and respects those who fear the LORD.
• An appreciation for others who share their commitment to living a life of faith and obedience to God’s Commandments.
• Fear (reverence), reflects the spirit of unity and mutual respect among Believers, regardless of their background or social standing.

Sixth – this aspect of Psalm 15:4b“But he honours those who fear the LORD,” challenges us to consider how we treat and regard our Fellow Believers, as well as how we demonstrate our respect and honour for those who fear the LORD.

Seventh – John Calvin was gracious to Martin Luther, who at times was less than saintly in his letters to those who did not agree with him. He states that it is no common virtue to “honour pious and godly men, since in the opinion of the world they are often as the off scouring of all things” (1Corinthians 4:13).

The Person’s Integrity

He Keeps His Words – Psalm 15:4c “He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.”  – Psalm 15:4c (NIV) “Who keeps his oath even when it hurts”

First – David in Psalm 15:4c highlights the importance of integrity, reliability, and commitment in One’s words and actions. The Person’s word is his bond:

• He who swears: The Hebrew Phrase “hānîšbāʿ” means he who swears, emphasizing the idea of making a solemn promise or oath.
• To his own hurt: The Hebrew Phrase “ləhārʿō” means to his own hurt or to his own disadvantage, highlighting the idea of making a commitment that may be costly or difficult to fulfil.
• And does not change: The Hebrew Phrase “wəlōʾ yāmīr” means and does not change or and does not retract, emphasizing the idea of standing by one’s commitments and promises, even when it’s difficult or costly.

Second – the themes of Psalm 15:4c “He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.”

• Integrity and Reliability: Psalm 15:4c emphasizes the importance of integrity and reliability in One’s words and actions, highlighting the need to stand by One’s commitments and promises.
• Commitment and Perseverance: The phrase “he who swears to his own hurt and does not change” highlights the importance of commitment and perseverance, even when faced with challenges or difficulties.
• Qualifications for Worship: Psalm 15:4c is part of the larger Psalm that outlines the qualifications for Worshiping God, emphasizing the importance of living the life of integrity, reliability, and commitment.

Third – the Biblical Parallels of Psalm 15:4c “He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.”

• Numbers 30:2 “If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
• Matthew 5:37 “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

Fourth – the implications of Psalm 15:4c “He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.”

• Stand by your Commitments: Believers should strive to stand by their commitments and promises, even when it is difficult or costly.
• Be Reliable and Trustworthy: Psalm 15:4c encourages Believers to be reliable and trustworthy in their words and actions, recognizing the importance of integrity and reliability in building strong relationships and communities.

Fifth – Psalm 15:4c (NIV) “Who keeps his oath even when it hurts,” is perhaps one of the most significant hallmarks of the righteous Person, his word is his bond.

• The Person is faithful to his commitments, for example, in agreeing to a course of action, he will keep his commitment, even at the lost, as his word is his bond. He has given his word.
• The Person does not set himself to find a pretext for breaking his word when it is inconvenient to keep it.
• The Person undertakes his responsibility, or sworn a bond, which later proves to be irksome and costly, he does not evade his responsibility, for the spoken word of a vow is a sacred thing (Joshua 9:19) – “He that swears to his own hurt, and changes not.”
• The Person will have nothing to do with the corruption of justice by brides, least of all if the inducement seems to injure an innocent Person.

The Person is, nevertheless, word, if he has said to do something which it turns out will be to his own hurt, nevertheless he keeps his engagement (Leviticus 5:4 – where is used in the same sense). This is honourable.

William Shakespeare:
“He that swears to his own hurt, and changes not.
His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles.
His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate.
His tears pure messengers, sent from his heart.
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.”

He makes the promise, and even if it hurts to follow through on it, he does not change his commitment, steadfast in his commitment and follow through.  His word is more valuable than his money. His integrity is more precious than his wealth. He stands by his word even if it hurts. This speaks to the integrity and steadfastness of the Person. It suggests that he is true to his word, even if it comes at a Personal cost. This quality reflects his commitments to honesty and honour in his interactions with others, as well as his unwavering dedication to upholding his promises and commitments. Psalm 15:4c “And does not change his mind,” challenges us to examine our own commitment to truthfulness and reliability in our words and actions, as well as our ability to remain steadfast in the face of adversity or personal sacrifice, in upholding our promises to others.

• Psalms