Psalm 15:1-5 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 15:1-5 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Verse 2Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
Verse 3who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
Verse 4in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
Verse 5who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.
Devotion
Psalm 15 reminds me of the prophetic proclamation in Micah 6:8 “…what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” I am reminded of the witness of Jewish leaders heard at a recent conference of the Tikkun Community who, while affirming security for Israel, called its unjust treatment of the Palestinians a betrayal of Judaism.
Psalm 15 also condemns lending money at interest. (It also reminds us, as do many other Bible verses, that we need Christ-centered interpretation of Scripture.) When wrestling with such texts I find it helpful to remember this wisdom from the Apostle Paul, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law … Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10).
Prayer
Give us, O Lord, in all things personal and social, the wisdom, compassion and courage to care for others even as you care for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.