How to Live with God (Psalm 15). God will not abandon you (Psalm 16)

"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken" (Ps 15:1-5).

To enter God's presence. This brief poem of 5 verses instructs those who desire to enter the presence of God in the sanctuary. It gives 11 answers to the question of who can enter God's presence (Ps 15:2-5a).

1. Walk is blameless. Walks perfectly. "Walks whole." Lifestyle and conduct.
2. Does what is righteous, what is right with God. Faithfulness in actions.
3. Speaks the truth from [in] the heart (Ps 15:2;12:2). Actions and thinking match. You don't do one thing and think another. Speech.
4. Does not slander others. Determined not to spread scandal. The word for slander has a background of "going around," to spy things out or spread them around. It's nearer scandal than slander. Relationships.
5. Does no wrong to a neighbor.
6. Casts no slur on others (Ps 15:3). Does not raise reproach/criticize.
7. Despises a vile person--the one rejected by God. Values.
8. Honors those who fear God.
9. Keeps their word, not changing their mind (Ps 15:4). Integrity, trustworthiness.
10. Charges no interest.
11. Accepts no bribes against the innocent (Ps 15:5).

1. Longman III, Garland. Psalms. 2008. Psalm 15: Who may Live in God's presence? A. The Question (1). B. The Response (2-5a). C. The Promise (5b).
2. Tim Keller. The Songs of Jesus. 2015. Psalm 15: Integrity.
3. Wilson. Psalms. 2002. 1. The thematic Question (Ps 15:1). 2. 11 Answers (Ps 15:2-5a).3. Confident Summation (Ps 15:5b).
4. John Goldingay. 2013. Psalm 15: How to dwell with God.
5. Kidner. 1973. 1975. Psalm 15: A Man after God's Heart. I. God as man's host (Ps 15:1). II. Man as God's guest (Ps 15:2-5). i. His character: true (Ps 15:2). ii. His words: restrained (Ps 15:3). iii. His allegiance: clear-cut (Ps 15:4). iv. His dealings: honorable (Ps 15:4c-5). v. His place: assured (Ps 15:5c).
6. Motyer. 2016. Psalm 15: Taking up Residence. A1. The crucial question: acceptance with God (1). B. Qualifications (2-5a). A2. Stability (Ps 15:5b).

God Will Not Abandon You (Psalm 16). 

"Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge" (Ps 16:1). "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance" (Ps 16:6). "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken" (Ps 16:8). "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" (Ps 16:11).

• Where do we find our security?

Although it begins with a brief petition (Ps 16:1), Psalm 16 is about confident resting in God, expressing both his present faith (1-6) and future hope (7-11). Having taken refuge in God (Ps 16:1), he finds in Him his greatest good (Ps 16:2, 6, 7) and is convinced that even death cannot rob him of that true life which consists of fellowship with God (Ps 16:10-11). Peter on the day of Pentecost and Paul in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia (Ac 2:24-31; 13:34-37) apply the final verses to the resurrection of Christ.

1. Present faith (1-6). Faithful servant.
2. Future hope (7-11). Faithful Lord.

1. Stott. 1988. Psalm 16: Present faith (1-6) and future hope (7-11).
2. Tim Keller. 2015. Idols that desert (1-6). The best is yet to come (7-11).
3. Gerald Wilson. 2002. 1. The initial plea (Ps 16:1). 2. Profession of faith (Ps 16:2). 3. Refusal to worship other gods (Ps 16:3-4). 4. Commitment to Yahweh (Ps 16:5-8). 5. Confidence and joy in Yahweh (Ps 16:9-11).
4. John Goldingay. 2013. Psalm 16: The secret of life.
5. Kidner. 1973. 1975. All my delight. 1. Faithful servant. 2. Faithful Lord.
6. Alec Motyer. Psalms by the Day. 2016. Psalm 16: Security in God.
   
7. Longman III, Garland. 2008. Psalm 16: Refuge in the Lord. Commitment to Integrity; External Pleasures at Yahweh's Right Hand.
• A. Confidence in the Lord (Ps 16:1-4).
• B. The Experience of Faith (Ps 16:5-6).
• A'. Confidence in the Lord (Ps 16:7-8).
• B'. The Experience of Faith (Ps 16:9-11).

15-17 Dwelling with the Lord; Blamelessness; Evil 
18-23 The King; His Victory; His Suffering; His Deliverance; Praise 
24-28 A Lifestyle of Integrity