God’s Word Translation
Psalms 15:4
4The one who despises those rejected by God but honors those who fear the Lord. The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it.
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;
- English Standard Version (ESV)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;
- 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;
Context of Psalms 15:4
2The one who walks with integrity, does what is righteous, and speaks the truth within his heart. 3The one who does not slander with his tongue, do evil to a friend, or bring disgrace on his neighbor. The one who despises those rejected by God but honors those who fear the Lord. The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it. 5The one who does not collect interest on a loan or take a bribe against an innocent person. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Read all of Psalms 15Psalms 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 101:4I will keep far away from devious minds. I will have nothing to do with evil.
- 2 Kings 3:13Elisha asked the king of Israel, “Why did you come to me? Go to your father’s prophets or your mother’s prophets.” The king of Israel answered him, “No. The Lord has called the three of us in order to put us at Moab’s mercy.”
- Esther 3:2All the king’s advisers were at the king’s gate, kneeling and bowing to Haman with their faces touching the ground, because the king had commanded it. But Mordecai would not kneel and bow to him.
- Job 32:21I won’t be partial toward anyone or flatter anyone.
- Isaiah 32:5Godless fools will no longer be called nobles, nor will scoundrels be considered gentlemen.
- Daniel 5:17Daniel told the king, “Keep your gifts. Give your gifts and awards to someone else. I’ll still read the writing for you and tell you its meaning.
- Acts 24:2When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him. He said to Felix, “Your Excellency, through your wise leadership we have lasting peace and reforms that benefit the people.
- James 2:1My brothers and sisters, practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ by not favoring one person over another.
- Psalms 16:3Those who lead holy lives on earth are the noble ones who fill me with joy.
- Psalms 101:6My eyes will be watching the faithful people in the land so that they may live with me. The person who lives with integrity will serve me.
- Psalms 119:63I am a friend to everyone who fears you and to everyone who follows your guiding principles.
- Matthew 12:49Pointing with his hand at his disciples, he said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers.
- 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love other believers. The person who doesn’t grow in love remains in death.
- Joshua 9:18The Israelites didn’t destroy these other people, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath about them to the Lord God of Israel. The whole congregation complained about the leaders.
- Judges 11:35When he saw her, he tore his clothes in grief and said, “Oh no, Daughter! You’ve brought me to my knees! What disaster you’ve brought me! I made a foolish promise to the Lord. Now I can’t break it.”
- 2 Samuel 21:1In the time of David, there was a famine for three successive years, and David asked the Lord’s advice about it. The Lord answered, “It’s because of Saul and his family. They are guilty of murder because they killed the people of Gibeon.”
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
In the dictionaries
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
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