Psa. 15:1-5, A Psalm of David. "LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? {2} He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. {3} <He that> backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. {4} In whose eyes a vile person is contemned (held in contempt, disdained, certainly not honored); but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. <He that> sweareth to <his own> hurt, and changeth not. {5} <He that> putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these <things> shall never be moved."

Introduction:

This psalm tells us God's ideal of what a Christian should be like.

I. The Christian Is One Whose Life Is Blameless

A. In V. 2, the thought contained in the word "Upright" is not that of "Perfection" but of being Blameless.

Phil. 2:13-15, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of <his> good pleasure. {14} Do all things without murmurings and disputings: {15} That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;"

2 Peter 3:14, "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

B. We Can Never be perfect on this earth --- But We Can be blameless, harmless and without rebuke.

C. We are to be blameless both in what we do ("Walketh") and in what we say ("Speaketh").

II. The Christian Is One Who Is Charitable Toward His Neighbor

A. Psa. 15:3, "<He that> backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour."

B. The Test of Our Love to our Neighbours has to do with our Tongue and our Ear.

1. What we Say about them --- and what we Hear about them.

2. God's ideal man is Slow To Speak --- and Slow To Hear anything Harmful about another person.

C. Lev. 19:16, "Thou shalt not go up and down <as> a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I <am> the LORD."

1. The Talebearer is likened to a Peddler who goes from house to house selling his wares --- Beware of being a Busybody.

2. 2 Thess. 3:11, "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."

3. 1 Timothy 5:13, "And withal they learn <to be> idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."

D. Mark 12:31, "And the second <is> like, <namely> this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

E. James 1:26, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion <is> vain."

F. Psa. 141:3, "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." 

III. The Christian Is One Who Is Careful Of His Friendships

A. In V. 4, we have a Negative and a Positive description of the right kind of companions to have.

Psa. 15:4, "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; (held in contempt, disdained, certainly not honored) but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. <He that> sweareth to <his own> hurt, and changeth not."

B. We are constantly surrounded by worldly and ungodly people, but we are Not to make them our Bosom Buddies.

1. We cannot be True To God if we court the Friendship of Ungodly People.

2. James 4:4, "... know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

C. We cannot serve two masters --- Luke 16:13, "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other..." 

IV. The Christian Is One Who’s Word Is His Bond

A. He always Keeps His Promises --- he is Absolutely Trustworthy.

1. Psa. 15:4, "... <He that> sweareth to <his own> hurt, and changeth not."

2. If this man make A Promise and then discovers that it is to His Own Disadvantage --- he will keep his word anyway.

B. This is certainly not the world's way of doing things --- But it is God's way --- Therefore it must be our way.

C. 1 Samuel 2:30, "... them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."

V. The Christian Is One Who Is Merciful In His Dealings

A. The Lord is Not Enthused about the Christian who is very generous with his gifts to the church --- but keeps his employees working long hours for starvation wages.

B. God's people should not make Unjust Gains At Someone Else's Expense.

C. This Psalm is summed up in:

1 John 2:17, "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

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