Psalm 15:4 Study Bible: In his eyes a vile man is despised, but he honors those who fear the LORD. He keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn't change it.

◄ Psalm 15:4 ►

who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

who despises the vile
The Hebrew word for "despises" is "נִבְזֶה" (nivzeh), which conveys a strong sense of disdain or rejection. In the context of Psalm 15, this word emphasizes the moral clarity and discernment expected of the righteous. The "vile" refers to those who are morally corrupt or wicked. This phrase underscores the importance of aligning oneself with God's standards, rejecting evil, and not being swayed by societal pressures to accept or tolerate sin. Historically, this reflects the Israelite community's call to holiness and separation from pagan practices.

but honors those who fear the LORD
The word "honors" comes from the Hebrew "יְכַבֵּד" (yekabbed), meaning to give weight or significance. This phrase highlights the value placed on those who "fear the LORD," a term that denotes reverence, awe, and obedience to God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fearing the LORD was synonymous with living a life of integrity and devotion. This part of the verse calls believers to recognize and esteem those who live righteously, reinforcing the community's commitment to uphold God's covenant.

who does not revise a costly oath
The phrase "does not revise" is derived from the Hebrew "לֹא יָמִיר" (lo yamir), meaning not to change or alter. A "costly oath" refers to a solemn promise made, often at great personal expense or sacrifice. In biblical times, oaths were binding and sacred, reflecting one's character and trustworthiness. This phrase emphasizes the importance of integrity and faithfulness, even when it is inconvenient or challenging. It serves as a reminder of the believer's duty to uphold their commitments, mirroring God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
The author of Psalm 15, King David, is traditionally understood to have written this psalm as a reflection on the character of those who may dwell in the presence of God.

2. The LORD
The central figure in the psalm, representing the holy and righteous God whom the psalmist seeks to honor and serve.

3. The Vile
Refers to those who are morally corrupt or wicked, whom the righteous person despises.

4. Those Who Fear the LORD
Individuals who live in reverence and awe of God, demonstrating obedience and respect for His commandments.

5. Oath
A solemn promise or commitment, often made in the presence of God, which the righteous person does not break even when it is costly.

Teaching Points

Integrity in Relationships
The righteous person maintains integrity by despising evil and honoring those who live in reverence to God. This calls for discernment in our relationships and associations.

Commitment to Truth
Upholding one's promises, even when it is costly, reflects a commitment to truth and integrity. This challenges us to be people of our word, reflecting God's faithfulness.

Reverence for God
Honoring those who fear the LORD demonstrates a shared reverence for God and His ways. We are encouraged to support and uplift fellow believers who live in obedience to God.

Moral Discernment
Despising the vile requires moral discernment and a commitment to God's standards of righteousness. This involves actively rejecting evil influences in our lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does despising the vile and honoring those who fear the LORD reflect the character of God?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate integrity by keeping our promises, even when it is costly?

3. How can we cultivate relationships that honor those who fear the LORD in our community?

4. What practical steps can we take to develop moral discernment in our daily lives?

5. How do the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:33-37 reinforce the principles found in Psalm 15:4?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Proverbs 8:13
This verse speaks about the fear of the LORD as hating evil, which aligns with the idea of despising the vile in Psalm 15:4.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
These verses discuss the importance of fulfilling vows made to God, connecting to the theme of not revising a costly oath.

Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus teaches about the importance of keeping one's word, which echoes the commitment to not revise a costly oath.

Romans 12:9
Paul instructs believers to hate what is evil and cling to what is good, similar to the despising of the vile and honoring those who fear the LORD.

Sermons

Immutable in Covenant	J. H. Jowett, M. A.	Psalm 15:4
Second Moral Appreciations	J. H. Jowett, M. A.	Psalm 15:4
The Believer's Regard for Those Who Fear God	John Trapp.	Psalm 15:4
The Obligation of an Oath	Henry Hellier, M. A.	Psalm 15:4
A Life Without Reproach	W. Forsyth	Psalm 15:1-5
A Question and an Answer	W. Boyd Carpenter, D. D.	Psalm 15:1-5
An Ideal Worshipper	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 15:1-5
Dwelling on the Holy Hill	G. Downame.	Psalm 15:1-5
Earth as Seen from the Holy Hill of Communion with God	G. Downame.	Psalm 15:1-5
Practical Christianity	Dean Farrar.	Psalm 15:1-5
The Church Militant	R. Turnbull.	Psalm 15:1-5
The Citizen of Zion Described	T. Boston, D. D.	Psalm 15:1-5
The Essentials of a Spiritual Religion	C. Short	Psalm 15:1-5
The Good Citizen	F. D. Maurice, M. A.	Psalm 15:1-5
The Man in Undisturbed Rest	C. Clemance	Psalm 15:1-5
The Soul of Man Turned Towards Heaven	A. T. Pierson, D. D.	Psalm 15:1-5
Who Shall Abide with God	R. Horsfall.	Psalm 15:1-5

People

David, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Approval, Change, Changeth, Contemned, Depraved, Despised, Doesn't, Evil, Fear, Fearing, Gives, Honoreth, Honors, Honour, Honoureth, Hurt, Hurts, Keeps, Lord's, Makes, Oath, Rejected, Reprobate, Suffer, Sweareth, Swears, Sworn, Takes, Turning, Vile

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 15:4

8337 reverence, and behaviour

Psalm 15:1-5

     1461   truth, nature of
     8158   righteousness, of believers
     8278   innocence, teaching on

Psalm 15:4-5

5329 guarantee

Library

Question of the Division of Life into the Active and the Contemplative
I. May Life be fittingly divided into the Active and the Contemplative? S. Augustine, De Consensu Evangelistarum, I., iv. 8 " Tractatus, cxxiv. 5, in Joannem II. Is this division of Life into the Active and the Contemplative a sufficient one? S. Augustine, Of the Trinity, I., viii. 17 I May Life be fittingly divided into the Active and the Contemplative? S. Gregory the Great says[291]: "There are two kinds of lives in which Almighty God instructs us by His Sacred Word--namely, the active and …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Perceivest Thou not How Much this Reasoning Aideth the Very Persons whom as Great...
2. Perceivest thou not how much this reasoning aideth the very persons whom as great game we make ado to catch by our lies? For, as thyself hast shown, this is the sentiment of the Priscillianists to prove which, they apply testimonies from the Scriptures exhorting their followers to lie, as though by the examples of Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Angels; not hesitating to add even the Lord Christ Himself; and deeming that they cannot otherwise prove their falsehood truthful, unless they pronounce …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Wherefore, that which is Written, "Who Speaketh the Truth in his Heart...
14. Wherefore, that which is written, "Who speaketh the truth in his heart," [2400] is not so to be taken, as if, truth being retained in the heart, in the mouth one may speak a lie. But the reason why it is said, is, because it is possible that a man may speak with his mouth a truth which profiteth him nothing, if he hold it not in his heart, that is, if what he speaketh, himself believe not; as the heretics, and, above all, these same Priscillianists do, when they do, not indeed believe the catholic …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Thus Then what is Written, "The Mouth that Lieth...
31. Thus then what is written, "The mouth that lieth, slayeth the soul;" [2351] of what mouth it speaketh, is the question. For in general when the Scripture speaks of the mouth, it signifies the very seat of our conception [2352] in the heart, where is approved and decreed whatever also by the voice, when we speak the truth, is uttered: so that he lieth with the heart who approveth a lie; yet that man may possibly not lie with the heart, who uttereth other than is in his mind, in such sort that …
St. Augustine—On Lying

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. General declamations against vice and sin are indeed excellently useful, as rousing men to consider and look about them: but they do often want effect, because they only raise confused apprehensions of things, and indeterminate propensions to action; which usually, before men thoroughly perceive or resolve what they should practise, do decay and vanish. As he that cries out "Fire!" doth stir up people, and inspireth them with a kind of hovering …
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
"To speak evil of no man."--Titus iii. 2. These words do imply a double duty; one incumbent on teachers, another on the people who are to be instructed by them. The teacher's duty appeareth from reflecting on the words of the context, which govern these, and make them up an entire sentence: put them in mind, or, rub up their memory to do thus. It is St. Paul's injunction to Titus, a bishop and pastor of the Church, that he should admonish the people committed to his care and instruction, …
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
This Commandment seems small, and yet is so great, that he who would rightly keep it must risk and imperil life and limb, goods and honor, friends and all that he has; and yet it includes no more than the work of that small member, the tongue, and is called in German Wahrheit sagen, "telling the truth" and, where there is need, gainsaying lies; so that it forbids many evil works of the tongue. First: those which are committed by speaking, and those which are committed by keeping silent. By speaking, …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

Life of a Christian Man. Scriptural Arguments Exhorting to It.
This first chapter consists of two parts,--I. Connection between this treatise on the Christian Life and the doctrine of Regeneration and Repentance. Arrangement of the treatise, sec. 1-3. II. Extremes to be avoided; 1. False Christians denying Christ by their works condemned, sec. 4. 2. Christians should not despair, though they have not attained perfection, provided they make daily progress in piety and righteousness. 1. WE have said that the object of regeneration is to bring the life of believers …
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life

How to Dwell in the Fire of God
'Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15. He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.'--ISAIAH xxxiii. 14, 15. 'He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God'--1 JOHN iv. 16. I have put these two verses together because, striking as is at first sight the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Question Lxxxi of the virtue of Religion
I. Does the Virtue of Religion Direct a Man To God Alone? S. Augustine, sermon, cccxxxiv. 3 " on Psalm lxxvi. 32 sermon, cccxi. 14-15 II. Is Religion a Virtue? III. Is Religion One Virtue? IV. Is Religion a Special Virtue Distinct From Others? V. Is Religion One of the Theological Virtues? VI. Is Religion To Be Preferred To the Other Moral Virtues? VII. Has Religion, Or Latria, Any External Acts? S. Augustine, of Care for the Dead, V. VIII. Is Religion the Same As Sanctity? Cardinal Cajetan, …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Rules to be Observed in Singing of Psalms.
1. Beware of singing divine psalms for an ordinary recreation, as do men of impure spirits, who sing holy psalms intermingled with profane ballads: They are God's word: take them not in thy mouth in vain. 2. Remember to sing David's psalms with David's spirit (Matt. xxii. 43.) 3. Practise St. Paul's rule--"I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the understanding also." (1 Cor. xiv. 15.) 4. As you sing uncover your heads (1 Cor. xi. 4), and behave yourselves in comely reverence as in the …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon Themselves the Righteous Destruction to which they are Doomed.
1. The election of God is secret, but is manifested by effectual calling. The nature of this effectual calling. How election and effectual calling are founded on the free mercy of God. A cavil of certain expositors refuted by the words of Augustine. An exception disposed of. 2. Calling proved to be free, 1. By its nature and the mode in which it is dispensed. 2. By the word of God. 3. By the calling of Abraham, the father of the faithful. 4. By the testimony of John. 5. By the example of those who …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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