Psalm 15:2-5
Our responsorial psalm for this week comes from Psalm 15, which addresses the question of religious fitness. Who is worthy to dwell in God’s presence?
In its entirety, the psalm describes a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the Temple court. The Israelite wishing to be admitted was required to ask the Temple official what conduct was appropriate in God’s precincts. This question elicits a response that spells out eleven requirements related to honorable and loyal conduct toward others.
Like our other readings this week, this psalm is not about ritual purity but about living a life that reflects God’s values.
Whoever walks blamelessly
Requirement #1: Walk blamelessly.
“Walk” symbolically represents a person’s way of life or conduct, emphasizing that true righteousness is demonstrated through consistent, daily actions that align with God’s will.
and does justice;
Requirement #2: Do justice.
Justice is a characteristic of God and the divine norm against which everything else is measured.
who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue.
Requirements #3 and #4: Think the truth in one’s heart; refrain from slander.
This way of life originates in one’s innermost being, where thoughts of the heart are aligned with the truth of God’s righteousness and their tongues speak accordingly.
Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
The admonition to righteousness is followed by examples of concrete ways of behavior in everyday life.
Requirements #5 and #6: Do no harm to a friend, do not reproach a neighbor.
“Friend” or “companion” is a better translation of the Hebrew rē’eh, rather than “fellow man,” as it includes the idea of personal closeness and is not gender-specific. Frequently, the quality of one’s virtue is tested in the intimacy of close relationships.
by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD.
Requirements #7 and #8: Despise the reprobate; honor those who fear the LORD.
The righteous person disdains the reprobate who has rejected God, but honors those who live in reverence and obedience to God.
(Our responsorial omits the last part of verse 4, which reads, “who keeps an oath despite the cost,” which is also translated as “who keeps an oath even when it hurts.”
This is Requirement #9: Uphold commitments.
Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Requirements #10 and #11: Do not lend money at interest, do not accept a bribe against the innocent.
The righteous do not take economic advantage of others. They demonstrate generosity and compassion by lending money to those in need without expecting personal gain, adhering to the biblical principle against usury.
In many societies, lending money is a service to others, not a way of increasing one’s own capital. In such situations, demanding interest is unacceptable, even unjust.
The corrupt practice of bribery is doubly heinous when it abuses the innocent.
Without feeling that we must adopt the economic practices of ancient Israel, we can still be motivated by some of the principles upon which they were based.
Whoever does these things shall never be disturbed.
The psalm concludes with a promise of stability and security for those who live by these principles. A life aligned with God’s will provides a firm foundation that cannot be easily disrupted.
Note how the requirements are not ritual cleanness or sacrifices offered; they have to do with upright behavior towards others, as laid down by God’s covenant with his people (Exodus 20:1-17).
This psalm is echoed and expanded by Christ’s teaching that love of God cannot be separated from love of neighbor.
Sunday Readings 