Psalms 15:4
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
Main message
Psalm 15:4: Moral discernment, honoring those who fear the LORD, and keeping a costly promise describe fidelity; they do not authorize dehumanization or force someone to remain bound by an abusive, coerced, or illegal commitment.
Meaning in context
Psalm 15:4–5 · Moral fidelity, costly promises, economic justice, and stability — Verses 4–5 describe moral discernment, honoring those who fear the LORD, fidelity when promises become costly, refusal of exploitative gain and bribery, and conclude with the assurance that such a person will not be moved.
Moral discernment, honoring those who fear the LORD, and keeping a costly promise describe fidelity; they do not authorize dehumanization or force someone to remain bound by an abusive, coerced, or illegal commitment.
Further teachings
Moral fidelity, costly promises, economic justice, and stability
Moral discernment, honoring those who fear the LORD, and keeping a costly promise describe fidelity; they do not authorize dehumanization or force someone to remain bound by an abusive, coerced, or illegal commitment.
Cross References: Psalm 15:4 — Psalm 15:4–5.
Applications in daily life
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Psalm 15:4
Use this verse for self-examination before God, not as a checklist for declaring other people unworthy of worship, dignity, safety, or care.
The language about despising what is vile concerns moral evaluation of conduct, not hatred or dehumanization of people or modern out-groups; keeping an oath must not be weaponized to trap someone in an abusive, coerced, unsafe, or illegal commitment.
Related Bible passages and resources
- Psalm 15 (complete chapter)
Read the whole psalm before isolating one verse.
- Psalm 15:3
Read the previous line to preserve the local movement.
- Psalm 15:5
Continue with the next line to preserve the local movement.
- Study the Book of Psalms
Place Psalm 15 within the Psalter’s concern for integrity, truthful speech, neighbor-love, costly fidelity, and economic justice before God.
Common misreadings
The language about despising what is vile concerns moral evaluation of conduct, not hatred or dehumanization of people or modern out-groups; keeping an oath must not be weaponized to trap someone in an abusive, coerced, unsafe, or illegal commitment.
Moral discernment, honoring those who fear the LORD, and keeping a costly promise describe fidelity; they do not authorize dehumanization or force someone to remain bound by an abusive, coerced, or illegal commitment. Keep the verse within its literary unit.
Related Verses
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. ”
- Galatians 6:9
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
- James 1:8
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
- Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
- Luke 16:10
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
Related Topics
How to Apply Psalms 15:4
Use Psalms 15:4 as a daily declaration. Speak it over your circumstances, inserting your name where relevant. Let its promise from Psalms anchor your perspective as you navigate decisions related to on the theme of Consistency in the Bible, and share it with one person who might need it today.
Sources & Method
Biblical text
Commentary anchored to the site’s public-domain Psalm 15 text.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
- Reviewed on: