Psalm 15

PSALM 15

(This Psalm forms the text of the Sermon on the Mount [Matt. 5-7]. The theology pertains to the Kingdom, not to the Church of God. Not true for this present Dispensation.)

THE DISPENSATIONAL CHARACTER OF THE PSALMS. In reading the Book of Psalms, we must constantly bear in mind the character of the Dispensation to which they belong. The word "Dispensation" means "administration" : and God's principles of administration varied according as man was in a Dispensation of innocence, or mankind was "without Law", or Israel was "under Law", or as we are under grace in this present Dispensation.

God's principles of administration have varied with each of these : and in the future they will vary yet more : in the coming Dispensation of judgment, and in the Dispensation of millennial glory by which it will be followed.

If we read what pertains to one Dispensation into another which is administered on different lines, we shall have only confusion. Unless they be rightly divided, we shall not find "the truth" (2Tim. 2:15).

Much of what we read in the Psalms is truth for all time : but, some things are peculiar to that Dispensation of Law, and are neither suitable nor appropriate for the present Dispensation of grace. That is why many readers stumble when they judge "the imprecatory Psalms" from the standpoint of grace. Those Psalms were appropriate for the past Dispensation of works, as they will be for the coming Dispensation of judgment; but they are not appropriate for the present Dispensation, in which God's administration is on the principles of grace (according to Matt. 5:44-48). It was true, in the former Dispensation of Law, that "when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive" (Ezek. 18:27). But that is not the way of salvation now. The Scriptures for this present Dispensation are written and contained in the Pauline Epistles (fulfilling the promise of the Lord in John 16:13); and these declare with one voice that we are not saved by works, but by grave (Rom. 3:23, 24; 11:6. Eph. 2:3-9. Titus 3:5-8).

Even so with the "imprecatory Psalms", and similar expressions in other Psalms : they were true and appropriate for that Dispensation, but are equally inappropriate for this.

PSALM 15 AND "THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT". The place of Ps. 15 is seen in the Structure of the first book of the Psalms (p. 721), in which the perfect man of Ps. 15 is set in contrast with "the man of the earth" and other men in Pss. 9-14. It sets forth the character and conditions of a true citizen of Zion. Hence, the Lord Jesus, in proclaiming the kingdom, Matt. 4:17-7:29 (see the Structure of the whole Gospel), lays down the characters of the true subjects of the kingdom. The kingdom has nothing to do with the present Dispensation, which is one of Grace. The kingdom proclaimed by the King was rejected, and the King was crucified. Hence, "now we see NOT YET all things put under Him" (Heb. 2:8). the kingdom is therefore now in abeyance. But when it shall be set up, then Ps. 15 and "The Sermon on the Mount" will find and receive their full and proper interpretation. See Ap. 63. ix; 71; and 71. We note below the correspondence of the subjects treated, in the same order as they are set forth in the Psalm, which is so complete that it evidently formed the text on which the Sermon on the Mount was based. See the Structure of Matt. 5:1-7:27.

PSALM 15. MATT. 5:1-7:29.

The Citizen of Zion. The Subjects of the Kingdom.
ver. 1. The Introduction. 5:3-12. The Introduction.
ver. 2. "He that walketh uprightly" 5:13-16. Walking in the light.
"and worketh righteousness". 5:17-20. "Your righteousness to exceed the righteousness
of the scribes and Pharisees".
"And speaketh the truth from his heart". 5:21-6:34 Truth in the heart.
Heart hatred. (5:21-26).
Heart adultery. (5:27-32).
Heart alms-giving. (6:1-4).
Heart prayer. (6:5-15).
Heart fasting. (6:16-18).
Heart treasure. (6:19-21).
Heart service. (6:22-24).
Heart rest. (6:25-34).
ver. 3. "He that backbiteth not with his tongue... 7:1-5. "Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor". brother's eye?"
"Nor doeth evil to his neighbor". 5:43-48. "Love your enemies".
ver. 4. "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; 7:15-23. "Beware of false prophets".
but he honoreth them that fear the LORD". "Ye shall know them by their fruits".

"He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not". 5:33-37. "Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay".
ver. 5. "He that putteth not out his money to usury, 5:38-42. "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that
nor taketh reward against the innocent". would borrow of thee, turn not thou away".
"He that doeth these things shall never be moved". 7:24-27. "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto
a wise man, which built his house upon a
rock.....it fell not".

15. THE PERFECT MAN.

H  T  1. His eternal abiding. Question.
    U  a  2. Positive.       Answers
        b  3. Negative.         "
    U  a  4-. Positive.         "
        b  -4,5-. Negative.     "
   T  -5. His eternal abiding. Question.

(A psalm of David)

Psalm 15)

1 Lord (Yahaveh), who shall abide in Your tent? (I.e. dwelling, our home, i.e. Your heavenly home.) who shall abide continually in Your holy mountain? (I.e. Mount Zion; the type of the heavenly kingdom)

2 He that walks habitually without blame, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth (1st occ. in Psalms) in His heart.

3 That never backbites with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor receives a reproach against his neighbor.

4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honors them that fear (or revere) the LORD.

He that swears to his own hurt, and changes not.
5 He that puts not out his money to usury (cp. Ex. 22:25. Lev. 25:36,37Deut. 2319,20), nor takes bribery against the innocent. (Cp. Ex. 23:8. Deut. 27:25.)

He that does these things shall never be moved. (Cp. v.1 Contrast 9:15,17, and cp. Matt. 7:24-27. Ps. 16:8; 125:1.)

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