Psalm – Psalm 15 – 17

Bible Passage:  Psalm 15 – 17

Today’s Psalms are very interesting as it deals with our personal relationship with God.

Many people want a closer and personal relationship with God but in Psalm 15, we read that in order to have that, we have to live a life of integrity.  David lists several criteria for assessing our character and if you read it carefully, you will find that most of them have to do with how we conduct ourselves in society and our workplace.

Who is Good Enough for God?

Psalm 15:1

“LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?”

Who is good enough for God?  Integrity seems to be central to a man of God and here David lists 10 marks of integrity.  How does your life compare?

• The person of integrity walks uprightly.  What are your ethical standards?  Do you honour God or strive to serve yourself?
• The person of integrity works righteouesness. When you do your work, what is the end result?  Do you promote good in your workplace and society?  Or is what you are doing evil?
• The person of integrity speaks the truth. What happens when we are in a difficult or inconvenient position?  Do we tell ‘white lies’ when we think it is necessary?
• The person of integrity does not backbite. Do you smile at someone and then proceed to tear them down when their baks are turned?
• The person of integrity does no evil to a neighbour. Do you play office politics?  Do you “do unto others before they do unto you”?
• The person of integrity does not take up a reproach against a friend. Are a loyal friend?  When a colleague is being bullied or taken as a scapegoat for something in the office, do you offer support and seek to be fair?
• The person of integrity honours the Lord and not the ungodly. Look at the people you mix around everyday, What are their characters like?  What are their attitudes towards the God that you worship?
• The person of integrity keeps his word, even when it is costly.  Is your word your bond?  Can you be trusted?  Or do people always have to take what you said with a pinch of salt, not knowing if you will follow through?
• The person of integrity does not pratice usury. Usury is the practice of charging interest on loans to one’s countrymen and was prohibited in Israel (Deut 23:19-20).  What I can see is that do we do things to make it easier or harder for the less fortunate to gain the necessary resources to support themselves?
• The person of integrity does not take bribes. What would it take to compromise your integrity?

Indeed, living a life of integrity is not easy but we can be confident if our lives are centred on the Lord.  That is the theme for Chapter 16 and indeed, for David…

“You are my Lord” (16:2)

This determines everything in David’s life.

But despite the fact that we pursue a life of integrity, there are times when we will suffer for doing what is right.  And if you are in this position, remember Psalm 18.

David was convinced of his own integrity and cries out to God for protection when he was surrounded by his arrogant enemies.

Look at what David says…

“You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.”
Psalm 17:3-4

Have you ever known someone who had a reputation of integrity, only to find out that it was all a ‘show’.  And behind the scenes, he was willing to compromise on anything.

As they say,

“Reputation is what you do when everyone is watching.

Character is what you do when no one is watching.”

David’s conscience was clear that he had a character that met God’s standard and knew that God was constantly testing his heart.

David passed the test.

Are you?