Psalms 15:4

Psalms 15:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)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;
• New King James Version (NKJV)In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
• New Living Translation (NLT)Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.

Context of Psalms 15:4

2He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalms 15:4 word by word

נִבְזֶ֤ה׀ בְּֽעֵ֘ינָ֤יו נִמְאָ֗ס וְאֶת־יִרְאֵ֣י יְהוָ֣ה יְכַבֵּ֑ד נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לְ֝הָרַ֗ע וְלֹ֣א יָמִֽר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• In whose eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• a vile personמָאַסmâ'as · to rejectH3988
• is contemnedבָּזָהbâzâh · to despiseH959
• but he honourethכָּבֵדkâbad kâbêd · to honor: honourH3513
• them that fearיָרֵאyârê' · afraidH3373
• the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• swearethשָׁבַעshâba‛ · to swearH7650
• hurtרָעַעrâ‛a‛ · be evilH7489
• and changethמוּרmûr · to changeH4171

Cross-references for Psalms 15:4

• Psalms 101:4A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.
• 2 Kings 3:13And Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No; it is the Lord who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab."
• Esther 3:2And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage.
• Job 32:21I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.
• Isaiah 32:5The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable.
• Daniel 5:17Then Daniel answered and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.
• Acts 24:2And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,
• James 2:1My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
• Psalms 16:3As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
• Psalms 101:6I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
• Psalms 119:63I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.
• Matthew 12:49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!
• 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
• Joshua 9:18But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders.
• Judges 11:35And as soon as he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you have become the cause of great trouble to me. For I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot take back my vow."
• 2 Samuel 21:1Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, "There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death."

Commentaries on Psalms 15:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4In whose eves a vile person is contemned - 7. This man judges of others by their conduct; he tries no man's heart. He knows men only by the fruits they bear; and thus he gains knowledge of the principle from which they proceed. A vile person, נמאס nimas, the reprobate, one abandoned to sin; is despised, נבזה nibzeh, is loathsome, as if he were covered with the elephantiasis or leprosy, for so the word implies. He may be rich, he may be learned, he may be…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4In whose eyes a vile person is contemned - That is, who does not show respect to a man of base or bad character on account of his wealth, his position, or his rank in life. He estimates character as it is in itself, and not as derived from rank, relationship, or station. While, as stated in the previous verse, he is not disposed to take up a false or evil report against another, he is at the same time disposed to do justice to all, and does not honor…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-5This wisdom poem contrasts the lifestyle of the righteous with the actions of fools (Psalm 14). The questions in this psalm invite people to examine themselves and not pay attention to problems with the wicked. The question of who dwells in God’s presence leads into a description of godly character qualities (compare Psalm 24:3–6; Isaiah 33:14–16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. Love and hate are regulated by a regard to God. sweareth ... hurt--or what so results (compare Le 5:4).Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 15:4

• Company
• Fear of God
• Holiness
• Integrity
• Oath
• Righteous
• Righteousness
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Contemn
• Tabernacle
• God
• Papyrus
• Person, Personality
• Poetry, Hebrew
• Psalms, Book of

Commentaries on Psalms 15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings