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;
• 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

2Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

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 101:4I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
• 2 Kings 3:13“Why are you coming to me?” Elisha asked the king of Israel. “Go to the pagan prophets of your father and mother!” But King Joram of Israel said, “No! For it was the Lord who called us three kings here—only to be defeated by the king of Moab!”
• Esther 3:2All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.
• Job 32:21I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone.
• Isaiah 32:5In that day ungodly fools will not be heroes. Scoundrels will not be respected.
• Daniel 5:17Daniel answered the king, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.
• Acts 24:2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us.
• James 2:1My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
• Psalms 16:3The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!
• Psalms 101:6I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.
• Psalms 119:63I am a friend to anyone who fears you— anyone who obeys your commandments.
• Matthew 12:49Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.
• 1 John 3:14If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
• Joshua 9:18But the Israelites did not attack the towns, for the Israelite leaders had made a vow to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. The people of Israel grumbled against their leaders because of the treaty.
• Judges 11:35When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “Oh, my daughter!” he cried out. “You have completely destroyed me! You’ve brought disaster on me! For I have made a vow to the Lord, and I cannot take it back.”
• 2 Samuel 21:1There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years, so David asked the Lord about it. And the Lord said, “The famine has come because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites.”

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