Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Psalm 15 — Who May Dwell with God?

If you wish to learn what sort of person is a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, sing Psalm 15.
Athanasius, On the Interpretation of the Psalms

No other sources this week, just my own thought about this immediately following Psalm 14. That psalm told of all the evil done by those who don't believe God exists. This psalm seems to act as a counterpoint by defining who is righteous enough to dwell with God. The line items seem to match up pretty well with the ones we were given before in Psalm 14. 

 We wind up with a concise and well defined list of traits for those who need not fear to enter God's presence. This seems simple but is well worth reflecting upon. I especially like the qualifying phrase added after "who keeps his oath" — "even when it hurts." I think that might apply to the other characteristics also.

David Composing the Psalms, Paris Psalter, 10th century

Sources are here and an index of psalm posts is here

 

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