Psalm 15 2

Psalm 15:2 kjv

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psalm 15:2 nkjv

He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;

Psalm 15:2 niv

The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;

Psalm 15:2 esv

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;

Psalm 15:2 nlt

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

Psalm 15 verses

Psalm 15 2 Meaning

Psalm 15:2 describes the foundational character required for one to live in close communion with God and enter His presence. It presents a tripartite description of a person marked by consistent integrity in their actions, their outward deeds, and their innermost thoughts and words. Such a life demonstrates holistic faithfulness, aligning internal conviction with external conduct according to God's standards.

Psalm 15 2 Context

Psalm 15 opens with a profound question: "O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" This question sets up the psalm as a liturgical entrance requirement or a "gate-list" psalm, defining the character of those permitted into God's presence, represented by His tabernacle or holy hill. This was not about physical entry alone but spiritual affinity and moral uprightness demanded for covenant fellowship with a holy God. Verses 2-5 provide the answer by detailing ethical, moral, and social conduct. The emphasis is on a life of consistent righteousness that distinguishes the faithful from the surrounding pagan cultures which often separated religious ritual from moral conduct. This psalm serves as a mirror for introspection, challenging individuals to assess their genuine standing before the Most High.

Psalm 15 2 Word analysis

• He who walks (הוֹלֵךְ, holekh): This is a participle, signifying an ongoing, habitual action, not merely a single act. "Walks" is a common biblical metaphor for one's lifestyle, conduct, or moral journey through life. It denotes consistent behavior.

• Blamelessly (תָּמִים, tamim):

  • This Hebrew term signifies "complete," "whole," "perfect," "sound," "innocent," "upright," or "without blemish." It is used for perfect sacrifices without physical defect (Exod 12:5), or for the integrity of a person's character (Gen 17:1, Noah in Gen 6:9, Job 1:1).
  • It doesn't mean sinless perfection, but rather sincerity, integrity, and being "whole-hearted" or undivided in devotion and moral rectitude before God. It implies consistency and an absence of hypocrisy or intentional flaw.

• And does (וּפֹעֵל, ufo'el): A conjunction "and" links to the previous quality, highlighting an additional, active dimension. Po'el means "to do," "to make," "to work," or "to produce." It emphasizes active, deliberate conduct, bringing principles into practical application.

• What is right (צֶדֶק, tsedeq):

  • This term denotes "righteousness," "justice," "equity," or "conformity to a standard." In biblical context, it primarily refers to God's standard of moral and ethical behavior, reflecting His character.
  • It encompasses doing justice in all dealings, showing equity, upholding fairness, and living morally upright. This is not just internal thought but outward, tangible action that impacts one's relationships and society.

• And speaks (וְדֹבֵר, vedover): Again, a conjunction links to a third aspect of this character. Dover means "to speak," "to declare," or "to converse." It points to communication as a key aspect of integrity.

• Truth (אֱמֶת, emet):

  • This word signifies "truth," "firmness," "reliability," "stability," and "faithfulness." It goes beyond mere factual accuracy to embody integrity, genuineness, and reality itself. God's very nature is emet.
  • Speaking truth implies honesty in all utterances, absence of deceit, falsehood, flattery, or misleading statements.

• In his heart (בִּלְבָבוֹ, bilvavo):

  • The "heart" (levav in Hebrew) is considered the center of a person's being – the seat of intellect, will, emotion, moral decision, and innermost intentions. It's the core from which all actions and words proceed.
  • "Speaks truth in his heart" means that truthfulness originates from the deepest convictions and sincerity, not just external compliance or convenient factual recounting. It contrasts sharply with hypocrisy or duplicity. There is no discrepancy between what one believes or intends internally and what one says or does externally.

Words-group analysis:

• "He who walks blamelessly": Describes consistent conduct guided by a complete and sincere devotion, without defect or hypocrisy. It highlights a personal, private ethical journey that aims for wholeness.
• "and does what is right": Focuses on outward, observable actions that adhere to God's moral and legal standards. This covers justice and integrity in relationships and responsibilities.
• "and speaks truth in his heart": Delves into the source and sincerity of speech, indicating that true honesty is rooted in internal conviction and authenticity, contrasting superficial or strategic truth-telling. This completes the holistic picture of character.

Psalm 15 2 Bonus section

The requirements outlined in Psalm 15:2 (and the subsequent verses) represent not just a series of disconnected commands but an organic unity, where inner disposition, outward actions, and spoken words flow from a singular commitment to God's ways. This holistic emphasis reveals that God desires devotion that permeates every aspect of existence, impacting thoughts, intentions, private behavior, and public interactions. This portrayal also implicitly sets God's standards apart from the often compartmentalized religiosity of surrounding pagan cultures, which might involve elaborate rituals but lacked a strong demand for ethical consistency in daily life. For the believer, Psalm 15 becomes both an aspiration, empowered by the New Covenant where the Law is written on the heart (Jer 31:33), and a mirror reflecting the character of Christ into whom we are being conformed (Rom 8:29).

Psalm 15 2 Commentary

Psalm 15:2 profoundly outlines the spiritual and moral prerequisites for intimate fellowship with God. It moves from outer action to inner disposition, providing a comprehensive description of genuine piety. "Walking blamelessly" speaks to the overall consistent tenor of one's life – a striving for wholeness and integrity that lacks intentional spiritual or moral defect. This is paired with actively "doing what is right," underscoring that piety is not passive but manifests in ethical, just, and fair deeds in daily life, both personally and socially. Finally, "speaking truth in his heart" addresses the critical internal dimension. True integrity necessitates sincerity at the core of one's being; words must originate from genuine inner conviction, not duplicity, flattery, or strategic deceit. This inner consistency ensures that actions and words are authentic expressions of the heart, forming a character where no divide exists between outward appearance and inward reality. This psalm sets a high, divine standard that points ultimately to Jesus Christ as the only perfect fulfillment of such a life, yet calls all believers, by God's grace and through the Holy Spirit, to strive for such holistic righteousness.