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INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD (Books study series - Psalms) - Message no. 15 Multitudes of people will go to church every weekend. Thousands of churches having religious activity by offering some promotional or attractional gimmick for people who attend. Most of church attendees when they leave the church, they are thinking they are better for it, they are much closer to God and feeling good about themselves and good about the church.
Who is it that is really close to God? Who is that person that has intimate fellowship with the Lord? A person who goes to a church worship service does mean he is automatically closer to God? If a person claims he is a Christian does it automatically mean that person has intimate fellowship with God? David, the Psalmist wrestled with those questions.
There were people all around David, claimed to be right with God. They are people who had a religious look, but they did not have any real spiritual maturity in them. So, David made this the very theme on this Psalm.
Notice, verse 1 asks a question, “Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” David is referring to the tabernacle tent in Jerusalem, which was the place to worship God and the place which featured the presence of God (II Samuel 6:10-12, 17). The “holy hill” is a synonym for the temple mount in Jerusalem (Psalm 24:3; Daniel 9:16, 20). The tabernacle was the worship place and the holy hill was the location place of the tabernacle.
These two concepts gave us the idea of a person who is going up to the temple to worship God and to fellowship with God in a very personal way. That is why, David here is asking who actually has the right to go to the worship place where God is worshipped and will have fellowship with God.
Jesus Christ will physically be reigning as the righteous King of Kings at the Millennium and Jerusalem will be His headquarters (Isaiah 2:2-3; Zechariah 14:9-11). Therefore, this Psalm 15, gives us a question of, who is it that will be able to go to the temple of Jerusalem and have intimate fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ?
The answer to this particular question is given to us in Psalm 15:
PROPOSITION: A BELIEVER WHO HAS AN INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP WITH AND WORSHIP GOD IS ONE WHO LIVED WITH A RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER IN SPEECH AND ATTITUTDES It is very important that the individual Jew had to go to the tent in order to potentially have intimate fellowship with God. The Israelites had to go to the chosen place by God which was the holy hill and dedicated to the worship of God.
Now, in our time, in order for a Christian to have intimate fellowship with God, the believer must be involved in a local church. Many times, you will hear somebody that say, "I don't need church to be a good Christian." It is wrong! The truth is you do need church. In fact, God will not classify a person as a good Christian, without a strong commitment and involvement to the local church.
Does someone needed to join a church to be a good Christian? No one can be a good student without a school, no one can be a good soldier without military, no one can be a good citizen by not paying taxes and do the voting, no one can be a good sailor without a boat, no one can be a good parent without children, no one can be a good athlete without a team. May be some think in their mind that they can, but they cannot be in the real world, it is the same in God's world. You may think in your mind that you are a great Christian without the church, but you are not in God's real world of spirituality.
David laid down eleven-character traits of a person who goes to God's place of worship and does have an intimate fellowship with God:
Eleven character traits of a person who have an intimate fellowship with God: I – SPIRITUAL MATURITY OF WALK IN LIFE – v.2a Psalm 15:2a “He that walketh uprightly,”
Awit 15:2a “Siyang lumalakad na matuwid,” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God is one who walks uprightly through life.
The word “walk” in the Scriptures is often used to denote the manner of life; a life being represented as a journey. See Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
The word “uprightly” KJV; translated “integrity” in NASB; “blamelessly” in ESV, The words “He that walketh uprightly” [taamiym (H8549)] means to live in a way that is whole, complete, entire and sound. A person has a blameless conduct because that person lives a life in a whole, complete and sound way in the whole course of his life as the word “walking” implies. Literally, he whose walking is perfect rectitude shall be saved from falling (Proverbs 28:18 “Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.”).
This is walking uprightly in heart and life. That is the opposite of a “double heart” (Psalm 12:2 “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”). It is rendered in Hebrew, “walking perfectly,” this refers to a person who walks perfectly. The word “perfectly” is not used in the sense in which it is often employed now, as denoting absolute freedom form sin or is sinless, but the Hebrew word “perfectly” means that character was complete in all its parts, where no part is missing or is defective, or that the person referred to was upright alike in regard to God and to man (Isaiah 33:15 “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; “). It does mean that person has a well-developed, spiritually mature that makes the person a complete person of God. The word “perfect” explained in Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”
He is a person who sets God before his eyes, and takes his word for the rule of his daily conduct, he also considers himself as a sojourner on this earth, and he is continually walking to the kingdom of God.
This refers to a person who acts according to the perfections of the law of God, he has respect to all parts of the law of God, and that someone feels the weight and importance of all the commandments, instructions and order of God’s law. He is a person who walks blamelessly, who lived in full and complete obedience to God the Word of God.
II – STANDARDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN ACCORDANCE TO GOD’S WORD – v.2b Psalm 15:2b “and worketh righteousness,”
Awit 15:2b “at gumagawa ng katuwiran,” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God is one who does what is righteous.
A believer who fellowships with God intimately, conforms his life to the righteous standards of the Word of God and lives his life in accordance to the Word of God. The word “righteousness” literally refers to that which is right and straight in accordance to the Word of God.
That person is not only a person of uprightness, blameless, and of integrity but also a person of obedience. To have a life that is right with God requires a walk and a work. God requires a working righteousness to anyone who will fellowship with God intimately, not just thinking about it or hearing about it. Righteousness requires working at it.
That person is not satisfied with a contemplate life, because that person has duties to perform. The law of righteousness has placed him in certain relations, and each of these relations has its peculiar duties. This is fulfilling every moral and social duty. The words “and worketh rightesouness” signify to give deeper emphasis, to render to all their dues.
That person who does right, he does what is proper to be done in relation to God and to man. Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Everywhere is laid down in the Scriptures that no man can be a friend of God who does not do habitually what is right. I John 3:6-10 “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” Those duties which relate to one’s neighbor are specified because men have many ways of feigning to perform those duties which relate to God. If they have done hypocritically to God, how much easy for the man to do it to fellow man. The word “worketh” means a person made righteousness his duty in order to do justly, to give to what is due to everyone, first what is due to God, and then what is due to men.
This person owes God his heart as in Psalm 23:26 “My son, give me thine heart,” and should love God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. This is giving God his due. This person who has intimate fellowship with God is the creature of God, that has duties to perform to himself. There are duties which that person owes to himself. That is his body may be healthy, vigourous, and active, that he should avoid everything by which his body might be injured, like all excesses in eating, in drinking, and in sleeping. The soul of that person who has intimate fellowship with God may be saved, he should avoid all sin, all irregular and disorderly passions. That person owes it to his soul to apply that grace of God which produces repentance, faith and holiness. And in order to get all these blessings, he should read, watch, pray, hear the Word preached, and diligently use all the ordinances of God. If a person does not act on that, thus, he defrauds both his body and soul, but the person in the text who works righteousness gives to all their due and therefore keeps a conscience void of offense, both towards God and man.
III – SINCERITY OF THE TRUE HEART – v.2c
Psalm 15:2c “and speaketh the truth in his heart.”
Awit 15:2c “at mula sa kanyang puso ay nagsasalita ng katotohanan” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God is one who speaks the truth in his heart.
The righteousness toward man mentioned previously which this Psalm requires as flows from faith working by love is shown by the expression “speaketh the truth in his heart.” The grace of the Spirit has regenerated the man, where the heart of man speaks the language of love because the natural man does not have within himself purity, spirituality, and truth, however, a man can be kind in many of his words and in his acts.
There is no false way on that person because he is a true man. That person is not a man of pretenses, speaking one thing and meaning another thing for he uses language that is sincere and in accordance with his real belief. That person both thinks and speaks the truth. That person professes nothing, this is opposed to all mere outward professions, and all hypocritical pretenses, but he professes what he feels and what is his intention. When the person who has intimate fellowship with God, his words and professions agree with each other when he speaks to God and to men, also his words and professions proceed from the thoughts and purposes of his heart. There are no hollow friendships, vain compliments, and no empty professions of esteem, love, regard or friendship. The mouth of that person speaks nothing but what his heart dictates is what he speaks. Nothing hidden in his heart because he is right with God. There will not be any deception or lies in his heart because that person has close intimate fellowship with God. The heart, tongue, and hand of that person are all in unison.
Notice, it is not the external that determines spiritually, it is the internal that determines man’s spirituality.
That person speaks sincerely and without guile. Hypocrisy, guile and deceit have no place in his soul, although there are many hypocrites in religion and in churches. Those people go to church, but their hearts are filled with deception and lies. Those people are not really doing anything honest with God and no one will ever have intimate fellowship with God with a heart like that. However, the person who has intimate fellowship with God has religion that has its seat in the heart and is not only the religion of forms. All his acts are the expressions of upright intentions and purposes, and are not performed for selfish and hypocritical motives. This is the nature of true religion that is everywhere be found.
IV – SPEECH THAT DOES NOT SLANDER – v.3a Psalm 15:3a “He that backbiteth not with his tongue”
Awit 15:3a “siyang hindi naninirang-puri ng kanyang dila” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God is one who does not slander with his speech.
The word “Backbiteth”, translated “slander” in NASB, ESV, in Hebrew is [ רָגַ֨ל ׀ raagal (H7270), is a verb formed from the word regel (H7272), the foot] properly means “to foot it” and then “to go about.” Better rendered “he foots not upon his tongue” or “he has not footed it on his tongue.” Literally refers to movement of the feet, because someone who goes someplace by moving the feet. to go here and there as tale-bearers; to circulate reports unfavorable to others, to censure; slander; reproach; speak evil of. It is very expressive of those people who go about from house to house carrying tittle tattle (Example: Paul instructs the younger widows - I 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.”). The Psalmist has Leviticus 19:16 in view, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer" Again, it says “He that backbiteth not” for God will cut off the man who secretly slanders his neighbour. (Psalm 101:5 “Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy…”
So, David, writer of this Psalm 15, is saying that a person who slanders is one who moves from person to person, place to place and verbally walking on and steeping on to down people. This is the person who goes here and there verbally hitting or attacking others, walking over the character and reputation of other’s person.
The words backbite and backbiter come from the Anglo-Saxon bac, “the back” and “to bite”. It was to convey the sense of knavishness, cowardice, and brutality. This person is a knave, who would rob you of your name. This person is a coward, that person would speak about you in your absence the thing he dared not to do in your presence. This person is brutal, who just like an ill-conditioned dog that would fly and bite your back when your face was turned. All these three ideas are included in the description of the term. The tongue of that person is the tongue of a knave, of a coward, and of a brutal dog that bites. Such a person of course, has no right to the privileges of the Church and he can never ever see God because of his temper, mentality and character.
Dogs wag their tails and not their tongues that is why people love dogs so much. Charles Spurgeon said that all slanderers are wind instruments of the devil. Since people cannot control their mouths, undoubtedly many will miss having a close relationship with God.
There is no threat of the poison of a viper to you until you have been bitten and then you will realize that poison is designed to kill you. Likewise, a slanderer person is out to kill you and when you are hit with the venom, you quickly realize it. For reference on the use of the tongue see (James 3:2-11).
The tongue, because of its slanderous conversation, is represented as kicking about the character of an absent person; that is a very common vice, and common as very destructive, but the person who desire to see God abhors slandering and backbites not with his tongue. He does not use his tongue to calumniate or he does not use his tongue to detract the reputation of anyone; he does not speaks evil of no man, he does not makes the faults of others the subject of his conversation, he does not make others his sport or ridicule, he does not speaks of others with pleasure, but he use his tongue for edification.
The person who has intimate fellowship with God is one who treats his neighbour with respect. This person says nothing that might injure him in his character, his person, or property; he does not make calumny, he is not the author of any slander, he insinuates nothing by which his neighbour may be injured. In verse 2, described what the godly man is and in this verse 3, describes what the godly man is not.
Before you pass along information and comments to other people about someone, be sure that it will first be approved by the four checkpoints for permit:
(If you got approval you are free to share it without reluctance)
1. Never mention it if it is confidential
2. Take some investigation if it is true
3. It is useless if it is not necessary
4. It serves a wholesome purpose if it is kind.
- - - - - Continuation - Part 2 - December 22, 2021
V - SHUNNING OF DOING EVIL AGAINST NEGHBOR - v.3b Psalm 15:3b “nor doeth evil to his neighbour,”
Awit 15:3b “ni sa kanyang kaibigan ay gumagawa ng masama,” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God is one who does not do evil against his neighbor
Not only those who are right with God avoids evil speaking, but he avoids also evil acting towards his neighbour.
Those people who are right with God does his neighbour no harm referring to any hurt or injury in any way, willingly or designedly, whether by word or deed. The idea here is that the man who will be admitted to dwell on the holy hill of Zion (which was the location of the tabernacle which was the worship place and the place which featured the presence of God), and the man who is truly religious, is one who does no injury to anyone because he always does what is right to others.
This people who is right with God doth nothing to offend or grieve his neighbor’s spirit, he doth nothing to prejudice the health or ease of his neighbor’s body, he doth nothing to injure his neighbor estate or secular concerns, he doth nothing in his neighbor’s family or in his relations to his neighbors.
The person who is right with God do not push, advice or encourage his neighbour to do wrong even in difficult times, but he gives his neighbour his right, his privileges.
The word “neighbour” usually refers to one who resides near us, refers to all persons who are near to us in the sense that we have duties relations with them, it also include all persons with whom we have anything to do and also include our dealings with other persons.
The word phrase “to his neighbour.” This is an idea of our being all bound together in a common spiritual and natural brotherhood, which renders any violation of that neighbouly relation peculiarly heinous. The same thought is marked in the Hebrew by similar sounds [to his neighbor lə-rêe-‘êe-hūw (H7453), evil rā-‘āh (H7451)], means “doeth what is the reverse of friendly to a friend.”
What good relationship of a person with God if it cannot function in its neighborhood? The person who is right with God is nice to have as a neighbor everywhere he goes. I Thessalonians 5:15 "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men," Do not just do good to all who do good unto you, but do good to all who do evil against you, including unsaved people. Matthew 5:44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
A person is not right with God could never get along with all his neighbors. A person who is right with God is trying to reach the neighbors for Christ. A person who has intimate relationship with God can live and deal well into almost any neighborhood and will be a good, kind neighbor to have, and be a channel of blessings to all neighbors.
VI - SCORNING NOT AGAINST FRIEND - v.3c
Psalm 15:3c “nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.”
Awit 15:3c “ni umaalipusta man sa kanyang kapwa;” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God does not takes up a reproach against his friend.
The word “neighbour” used here is translated “friend” in NASB, ESV. A distinct Hebrew word from the former “neighbour” [qə-rō-ḇōw (H7138)]. It is translated “kin” (Leviticus 21:2), and implies being close to someone, as the former [lə-rê-‘ê-hūw (H7453)] implies association.
The word “nor taketh up” means “receiveth” or “endureth.” The person who is right with God does not readily listen to calumnious reports in regard to him. The idea is that of “taking up” or receiving as true. He is slow to believe evil acts of another. He does not grasp greedily as if he had pleasure in it. He does not himself originate such a reproach, nor does he readily and cheerfully take it when it is stated by others. If he is constrained to believe it, it is only because the evidence becomes so strong that he cannot resist it, but his believing of it is contrary to all the desires of is heart. There are large groups of persons to whom nothing is more acceptable than reproachful accusations of others, and who embrace reports more readily as they themselves do spreading news which impute bad conduct or bad motives.
There is nothing more marked in true conversion because of the change which is produced, when He who delighted in gossip and in slanderous reports of others; he who found pleasure in the alleged failings and errors of his neighbors; he who gladly lent a listening ear to the first intimations of this kind, and he who cheerfully contributed his influence in giving circulation to such things, augmenting such reports as they passed through his hands – but as of now, he sincerely rejoices on hearing everybody well spoken of, and he does all that can be done consistently with truth to check such reports, and to secure to every man a good name.
The word “reproach” refers to a person who scorns and considers someone of little worth or belittle another person. The Hebrew word “cherpah” translated here a “reproach” comes from “charaph” means to strip or make bare, to deprive a person of his garments. Hence, the word “choreph”, the winter, because it pictures the fields that was strips of their clothing the trees were strips of their foliage or of the autumn fruit. By this illustration, it appears that nature appears to be dishonored and disgraced. The application of this is stripping honour and reputation from a person, it is about a man of a good character for example have done something wrong, the tale is spread and the slanderers and backbiters carried about the wrong that has done, so by that the man is stripped of his fair character, of righteousness, truth and honesty. May be all news may be false or that man have been tempted and overcome, may have been wounded in the cloudy dark day and deeply mourns his fall before God. Who that has not the heart of a devil would not strive rather to cover than make bare the fault? Now, those who feed, like a flies passing over to others, will take up the tale, and carry it about. When the wicked person diabolic work, carry the story of scandal to the righteous man who love his God and loves his neighbor. The good man taketh it not up, the good man will not bear it, it shall not be propagated from the righteous man. The person who is right with God cannot prevent the detractor from laying it down but it is in his power not to take it up. Thus, the progress of the slander may be stop. The believer who has intimate relationship with God taketh not up a reproach against his neighbor, so the talebearer is probably discouraged from carrying it to another door. Listen, drive the slanderer of your neighbor far away from you. Remember that in the law of God as well as in the law of the land, it says “the receiver is as bad as the thief.”
A person who is wicked has no loyalty to a friend, to a mate or to a church.
The wicked person reproaching may be done attitude or by words. However, a person who has intimate fellowship with God is loyal in relationship and friendships.
He does not taketh up a reproach (kasiraan, kahihiyan) into his lips or mouth, he does not raise it or spread and propagate it or even believe it without sufficient reason.
VII - STRONG DESPISEMENT OF VILE PERSON - v.4a
Psalm 15:4a “In whose eyes a vile person is contemned;”
Awit 15:4a “na sa mga mata niya ay nahahamak ang isang napakasama,” FILIPINO VERSION
The word “vile person” KJV, ESV is rendered “reprobate” NASB. A vile person, is the ungodly or wicked man, literally someone rejected by God. [nim'aac (H3988)], in contrast to "them that fear the Lord." So, the same Hebrew is translated, Jeremiah 6:30, "Reprobate (rather, rejected) silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them."
The word “reprobate” refers to a person who despises and rejects the things of God.
The verb indicates that the reprobate is someone who has turned himself in rejection of God and the Word of God. This is not about those average sinners.
The person who has intimate fellowship with God will despise a reprobate. This man judges’ others based on their conduct, also he tries no man’s heart because he knows men only by the fruits they bear, and thus he gains knowledge of the principle from which everything started. A vile person, the reprobate, is a person abandoned to sin, and is despised and is loathsome, as if he were covered with the elephantiasis or leprosy, as the word implies. The person who has intimate relationship with God does not show respect the vile person who may be rich or wealthy, he may be learned, he may be a great man in his position and honourable or high ranking official with his boss in high offices, but if he be a spiritual leper, an infidel, a profligate, therefore, the person who is right with God must despise him and hold him, and does not honor those who do not deserved to be honored, or apologize for base conduct because it is committed by someone of exalted rank and because he is an enemy to God and to man. If the vile person is in power, the person who has intimate relationship with God will not treat him as if worthy of his dignity while the person right with God respects the office, he will detest the vile man.
People who have intimate fellowship with God will despise certain people who decisively and actively despise God and His holy Word. We cannot have close camaraderie with God and at the same time have close camaraderie with the reprobates. Even in this New Testament grace age, Paul writes that Christians are supposed to “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Romans 12:9).
Believers who have in right fellowship with God despise evil things and despise vile person.
VIII – SHOWING OF HONOR TO THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD – v.4b Psalm 15:4b “but he honoureth them that fear the Lord.”
Awit 15:4b “kundi pinararangalan ang mga natatakot sa Panginoon;” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God will honor those who fear God. Those who fear God are those honoured by the Lord, in contrast to the vile person who despises and rejected things of God and therefore are “the rejected” by God in verse 3. There are people who only honoureth God by their lips, Matthew 15:8 “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”; The wicked removed their heart from the Lord and their fear, worship and reverence to God is only taught by the commandment of men, Isaiah 29:13 “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”
The Lord takes pleasure to those who fear Him – Psalm 147:11 “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him,”; I Samuel 2:30 “them that honour me I will honour,”.
Those people who are right with God love to be around those people who are also right God. Those people who are right with God demands a healthy fear of God or godly reverence. Those people who are right with God highly esteems and cordially loves those who fear the Lord and shows them great respect and kindness, even though they be destitute and unclear in their condition, and even though they may differ from him in some opinions or practices of lesser moment.
Whosoever believer who wants to be around other believers who do not fear God and have no reverence for God, is a proven that he has no close fellowship with God, on the other hand, the person who has intimate fellowship with God love those fellow people who have godly reverence for God and the Word of God. A man’s disposition is easily seen by his associates.
The truly pious man who has intimate relationship with God, though he despises the honorable and just honorable libertine, honors those who fear the Lord, no matter in what rank or condition of life they may be found, even those who are in abject poverty; although working in the dunghill, or, with Lazaro , covered with sores at the rich man's door. Character is the object of his attention; people and circumstances are of less importance. Not all the wealth, learning, or power in the world can recommend those people who possessed these things if they are unrighteous. On the other hand, the person who is right with God drawn toward those of a congenial mind, that is fearing God, in spite of every external disadvantage. The person who is right with God is willing to be known as one that honors them that fear the Lord, and is willing to bear all the reproach that may be connected with such a deeply cherished respect, and with such an avowal.
The fear of the Lord is often based for the person’s entire religious standing before God; and sometimes because of that reverence that a man feels for the majesty and holiness of God, which induces that person to hate and turn away from evil which here mean repentance by which he abandons sin.
Indeed, there are lot of churches that have no fear for God and these churches only desire is to increase their attendance they are not concern of what they need to do because they just after to accomplish the number. These kind of people from their local churches have no intimate fellowship with God.
- - - - - Continuation - Part 3 - January 5, 2022
IX – SWEARS TO HIS OWN HURT AND DOES NOT CHANGE – v.4c Psalm 15:4c “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.”
Awit 15:4c “at hindi nagbabago kapag sumumpa kahit na ito'y ikasasakit;” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God is not a person who will go back on his word.
The Hebrew might be translated: “He sweareth to afflict himself, and does not change” so, the chaldee has rendered this clause.
The phrase “He that sweareth to his own hurt, This is not like the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Syriac translation “He who swears to his neighbor,” by another Hebrew Bookmark. Thus, rendered literally, “He that sweareth to his neighbour”. Therefore, the overt reference to Leviticus 5:4, would be broken, the same also about the discourse of a hasty oath. When the man who made an hasty oath later knows about it, thus they are all guilty. (Leviticus 5:4 “Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.”; Levitico 5:4“O kapag ang isang tao ay sumumpa nang padalus-dalos sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga labi, upang gumawa ng masama o ng mabuti, anumang padalus-dalos na panunumpa na isinumpa ng tao, at iyon ay hindi niya nalaman, siya ay nagkakasala kapag nalaman niya iyon.“ TAGALOG VERSION).
There are certain passages that emphasized the word “changeth not.” The words "changeth not" [yaamir (H4171)], translates by some theologian as 'exchanges not' (the usual meaning of the Hebrew) which means 'does not substitute' something else in place of what he had sworn, but a person keeps to his word, though to his loss (A reference to the oath of allegiance taken to Solomon at his accession to the throne is in - Ecclesiastes 8:2 “I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.”; All king’s commands which are not contrary to the will of God, who must be obeyed - Ecclesiastes 8:4 “Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?”; Jephthah who was a judge over Israel for 6 years, was right in not being deterred from keeping his vow by the loss and sorrow to himself- Judges 11:35 “And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.”).
The test of one’s character. The greatest temptation to the breach of oaths and promises we made to others, is, when we perform that promise that brings mischief on ourselves, by that the virtue of a man was tried and proven, and his promise should not be purposely to gain or not to lose anything. It is part of the character of a just man which is very worthy to be considered that in spite of any temporal inconvenience in himself, he breaks not his oath which he has once given.
A person of his word, even if it costs him or hurt himself, he strongly will never go back on his word or change a promise that he made, which may be beneficial to his neighbour, but apparently will be a damage to his own. Example: if a certain man solemnly swear that he will sell his neighbour such a estate of property at a price below the full worth of that property; or that he will give a poor man such a sum of money, now to give such benefits afterward he finds inconvenient to him, and cause a great damage to himself, yet since he has reverence for God and for the truth. The person who is right with God and close to God would deny himself so he may not spoil or pamper his flesh, so he can give more to the poor or needy.
Now, if a person had made a promise or have promised to do something wrong because the thing itself is wrong, that person cannot be obliged to carry out that promise, that person must leave his promise immediately (Mark 6:22-28 “And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.”), but he is not at liberty to violate any contract agreement because of the motive that it will be a loss to him or because he it will not be for his advantage as he assumed. So, he swears to his own hurt and does not change.
The person who is right with God is faithful also to his promises and his word will bind himself equally with an oath. A person who is not honest with an oath will not be honest with another person.
The principles established herein will be extended or covered all contracts or agreements, whether it has to do or involved with money or otherwise, and must be a general principle that must regulates all our transactions with our fellow men. The only limitation on the rule is when the promise or contract would involve what is morally wrong. A vow to God that was sinful is better be broken than kept, which would be adding a second sin to the original sin. But in all that is not sinful, even though it would hurt to one’s self, an oath, if freely taken, must be faithfully kept.
We cannot go beyond the word of Yahweh to do either good or bad. Balaam said in, (Numbers 24:13 “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?”). The Word of God is our only stronghold and the final authority and guidelines in making our oaths and promises.
The fools are those people who go back on their words. A person who right with God will tell the truth and be a man of his word, he sticks to his vows.
X – SELFLESSLY LEND NOT MONEY TO THE NEEDY FOR INTEREST – v.15a Psalm 15a "He that putteth not out his money to usury;"
Awit 15:5a “siyang hindi naglalagay ng patubo sa kanyang salapi,” FILIPINO VERSION
The phrase “He that putteth not” in Hebrew, “He that giveth not”. The contrast is to “nor taketh reward”.
The word “usury” signifies unlawful interest, or that which is got by taking advantage of the necessity of a distressed neighbour, no man that is right with God or who fears God can be guilty of unlawful interest.
The Hebrew word for usury [neshek (H5392)] comes from a root [naashak (H5391)], means to “bite as a serpent” and here must signify that biting or devouring usury, which ruins the man who has it to pay or usury meant can only be such as grinds the poor. Opposed to giving for usury is the giving gratis (Proverbs 28:8 “He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.”) The increase of usury is called neshek, because it resembles the biting of a serpent. At first this is so small, as scarcely to be perceptible but the venom spreads and diffuse itself till it reaches the vitals. That is why the increase of usury, which at first is not perceived nor felt, but at length grows so much as by degrees to devour another’s substance.
The word “usury” formerly denoted legal interest or a premium for the use of money.
The word is no longer used in our language, but it always now denotes unlawful interest. Webster defines “a premium or compensation paid, or stipulated to be paid, for the use of money borrowed or retained, beyond the rate of interest established by law.” The Hebrew word used here “neshek” means interest, that is a premium or compensation for the use of money in any manner, or to any extent. The reference to this is the law of the Hebrews, which forbade such a loaning of money to the poor, and especially loaning of money to the poor Israelites, so this is contrary to God’s law (Exodus 22:25 “If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.”; Leviticus 25:35-37 “ And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. 36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. 37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.”). Although this was forbidden in respect to the Israelites, yet the lending of money on interest or usury in a lawful sense, was allowed toward “strangers” or toward the people of other nations. The law mentioned here forbade a Hebrew to take interest from a compatriot, and it was no fault to take interest from a Gentile. Probably the Psalmist was thinking only of interest taken from a brother, a Jew. The Mosaic rule referred to money given on loan to help a needy brother Israelite: to makes a gain of his misery would have been a violation of the law of love. This law has no reference to our modern lending of money on interest, where this is done in no spirit of greediness and oppression.
We can see the ground of distinction in Deuteronomy 23:19-20 “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: 20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” The ground of the distinction was that the Hebrews were regarded as a nation of brethren, that is why they should be willing to accommodate and aid each other, that they should not do anything that could be regarded as unbrotherly. God were commanded by God not to lend money to a needy Israelites and not charge interest according to the Law of the Old Testament. God would bless a generous and unselfish person who lend his money. In respect to other people it was allowed, not because it was proper to take advantage of their wants, and to oppress them, but because this special reason which is as a nation of brethren, did not exist in regard to them. That might be improper “in a family,” among brothers and sisters, which would be entirely proper toward those who did not sustain this special relation as brothers and sisters.
The fact that it was allowed to the Hebrews to take interest of the people of other nations, shows that there was nothing morally wrong in the thing itself. In fact, there can be no reason why a man who was accommodated should not pay for the use of money as well as for the use of any other property.
Therefore, the thing forbidden here is not the taking of interest in any case, but the taking of interest in a way as would be oppressive and hard, as a Hebrew demanding interest from his poor and needy brother, and by consequence, it would forbid the exacting of unusual and unlawful rates of interest, or taking advantage of the necessities of others. This is a disposition to take advantage that others may be embarrassed while our gain increases.
The kindness and accommodating spirit in business transaction are much demanded now and actually happening in religious congregation where many church members were no longer attending church because they were ashamed to show their face with those fellow members who lend them money several times until the person who borrows money could no longer climb the stairs to go out from the deep well where they can no longer pay the amount. Similarly, the same when this Psalm 15 was written, or as they were these Israelites were under the law which forbade the taking of interest from a poor and needy brother.
The believer is to be more disposed to seek the benefit of his neighbour than selfish aggrandizement (Proverbs 3:27 “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”; Matthew 5:42 “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.”).
The person who has intimate fellowship with God does not lend his money to the needy for interest.
A person who used his money to help people is a person who have a close fellowship with God. The attitude and handling of money is an evidence of spiritual life of a person.
XI – SEEK NOT A BRIBE AGAINST AN INNOCENT – v.5b Psalm 15:5b “nor taketh reward against the innocent.”
Awit 15:5b “ni kumukuha man ng suhol laban sa walang sala.” FILIPINO VERSION
The person who has intimate fellowship with God do not gives nor receives a bribe in order to pervert justice or injure an innocent man. Example: The lawyer, who sees a poor man opposed by a rich man, who, though he is convinced in his conscience that the poor man has justice and right on his side, yet takes the larger fee from the rich man who plead against the poor man, hence the lawyer taken a bribe against the innocent. The person who is right with God, if he is a magistrate, does not accept a bribe to induce him to condemn the innocent. He does not let his judgment as an umpire (referee) be warped by a bribe from the rich against the innocent poor man. No bribe can tempt the person who is right with God to bear a false evidence, or engage in a bad cause, or pervert judgment; nor taketh reward against the innocent, that he may condemn the innocent or acquit the guilty. (Deuteronomy 16:19 “Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.”; Deuteronomy 27:25 “Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.”).
The person who is right with God will not color a judgment against an innocent person for anything, especially money. I hope we have now no hired assassins; for he who hires, forfeits his life to his country.
Many churches do not do right by allowing people with money to get away with the committed sin or should be under disciplinary action simply because of their money. This is not right in God’s sight.
The person who has intimate fellowship with God does not take a reward or bribe for him who hath a bad cause.
Psalm 15:5c “He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”
Awit 15:5c “Siyang gumagawa ng mga bagay na ito ay hindi matitinag kailanman.” FILIPINO VERSION
It says, “He that doeth these things,” these things were enumerated here in Psalm 15.
Now, for our conclusion, notice at the end of verse 5 it says, “He that doeth these things shall never be moved”. That is, in answer to the question in verse 1 “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?“, he shall “abide in the tabernacle” of God, and shall “dwell in his holy hill.” This person who has intimate fellowship with God and has done these eleven-character traits shall abide in the Lord's tabernacle and holy hill (Psalm 15:1 "abide in thy tabernacle"... dwell in thy holy hill", II Peter 1:10 "Wherefore the rather; brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:"; Psalm 55:22 "Cast thy burdene upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.")
The person whom this eleven-character traits perseveringly suits, shall never be moved, and shall have a place in the church of God, as tried and found faithful, he is a friend of God and shall enjoy God’s favor forever, he shall be enabled to persevere amidst all difficulties and dangers, and finally when he dies be for ever with the Lord, for he shall dwell with God for ever, be admitted into God’s mansion of glory. May these eleven-character traits of the one who has intimate fellowship with God be our character, then such shall be our end. This person shall have a solid foundation of hope, his foundation is sure, he will be safe in all the storms of life, and safe when the cold waves of death beat around him (Matthew 7:24-25).
Therefore, our relationship with God will be sound and secure. In other words, that person is as solid and stable as a rock, thus steadily and perseveringly walks in those eleven-character traits enumerated in this Psalm.
May we have these eleven-character traits in our own individual lives, when we come to God’s place of worship and may we be the person who have an intimate fellowship with God. Amen!
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