The Lord does not need our earthly goods, for He Himself is their giver; we can offer Him nothing that is not His creation...
The Lord does not need our earthly goods, for He Himself is their giver; we can offer Him nothing that is not His creation. But He needs our faithfulness and the devotion of our hearts. Therefore, turning to foreign gods is pointless, and even repeating their names is pointless. The psalmist, however, calls the Lord his allotted portion and his cup. This image, reflecting ancient ideas, sounds unusual to the modern ear, but it reminds us of the cup that the faithful will receive in remembrance of the Last Supper.
Recognizing that the Lord is the true giver of earthly goods, the psalmist thanks Him not only for them and for His care, shown time and again. He is no less grateful to the Lord for instruction and for repeatedly revealing the right paths. Finally, the psalm expresses hope not only for life in harmony with Him on earth, but also for deliverance from death and hell. The fullness of life and the fullness of joy are all found in the Lord, and He does not close the way to them to anyone.
15 The scope of this short, but excellent psalm, is to shew us the way to heaven. Here is a question proposed, Psa 15:1.
The answer to it, Psa 15:2-5.
A psalm of David.
15:1 Who - Who shall so dwell in thy church here, as to dwell with thee for ever in heaven?
15:2 Uprightly - Loving, and serving God, and loving his neighbour not in word only, but in truth; and this constantly. Worketh - Makes it his business to do justly, to give to every one his due, first to God, and then to men. Speaketh - His words and professions to God and men, agree with the thoughts and purposes of his heart.
15:3 He - He that doth not speak evil of his neighbour.Neighbour - That is, any man. Nor taketh - Into his mouth, doth not raise it, neither spread or propagate it; or believe it without sufficient reason.
15:4 Vile - An ungodly man. Honoureth - He highly esteems and loves them, though they be mean as to their worldly condition, and though they may differ from him in some opinions or practices of lesser moment.Sweareth - A promissory oath. Hurt - To his own damage. As if a man solemnly swear, that he will sell him such an estate at a price below the full worth; or that, he will give a poor man such a sum of money, which afterwards he finds inconvenient to him. Changeth not - His purpose, but continues firm and resolved to perform his promise.
15:5 To usury - In such a manner as is contrary to God's law: of which see otherwise, Exo 22:25 Psa 15, Lev 25:36-37, etc Reward - Or, a bribe for him who hath a bad cause. Moved - He shall abide with God here, and when he dies be for ever with the Lord.