Deep Dive

Psalms 15:4

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

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 4

The scope of this short but excellent psalm is to show us the way to heaven, and to convince us that, if we would be happy, we must be holy and honest. Christ, who is himself the way, and in whom we must walk as our way, has also shown us the same way that is here prescribed, Mat 19:17. "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." In this psalm, I. By the question (Psa 15:1) we are directed and excited to enquire for the way. II. By the answer to that question, in the rest of the psalm, we are directed to walk in that way (Psa 15:2-5). III. By the assurance given in the close of the psalm of the safety and happiness of those who answer these characters we are encouraged to walk in that way (Psa 15:5). A psalm of David.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 4

עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear בָּזָה (bâzâh, H959) — to disesteem כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3373) — fearing; morally, reverent יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… מוּר (mûwr, H4171) — to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Judges 11:35rank 11

As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have brought me to my knees! You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”

Matthew 5:33rank 10

Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

Psalms 101:6rank 6

My eyes favor the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way of integrity shall minister to me.

Psalms 101:4rank 5

A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil.

Psalms 16:3rank 4

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides.

I John 3:14rank 4

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

Psalms 119:63rank 3

I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.

Esther 3:2rank 2

All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.

Acts 24:25rank 1

As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

Acts 28:10rank 1

The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.

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