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

2The one who walks with integrity, who does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart, 3who does not slander with his tongue, does not wrong his neighbor, and does not disgrace his friend, who despises a vile person in his eyes, but honors those who fear Adonai, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, and does not change, 5who lends his money without usury, and takes no bribe against the innocent. One who does these things will never be shaken.

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 will depart from me. I will know nothing evil.
• 2 Kings 3:13But Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What do I have to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother!” “No!” the king of Israel said to him, “For has Adonai brought these three kings together only to deliver them into the hand of Moab?”
• Esther 3:2All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded it. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay him honor.
• Job 32:21I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter anyone;
• Isaiah 32:5No longer will a fool be called noble, or a scoundrel said to be a gentleman.
• Daniel 5:17Then Daniel answered the king saying, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and tell him its meaning.
• Acts 24:2When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We are enjoying much peace through you, and reforms are introduced for this nation because of your foresight.
• James 2:1My brothers and sisters, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Yeshua the Messiah while showing favoritism.
• Psalms 16:3As for the kedoshim who are in the land, they are noble—in them is all my delight.
• Psalms 101:6My eyes are on the trustworthy of the land, to be in my company. One walking in a blameless way will serve me.
• Psalms 119:63I am a companion of all who fear You, of those who observe Your precepts.
• Matthew 12:49Stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers.
• 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.
• Joshua 9:18But Bnei-Yisrael did not strike them, because the leaders of the community had sworn to them by Adonai, God of Israel. Then the entire community murmured against the leaders,
• Judges 11:35Upon seeing her, he tore his clothes and said, “Alas, my daughter! You made me bow down in grief—you’ve made me miserable! For I have opened my mouth to Adonai, and I cannot take it back.”
• 2 Samuel 21:1Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year, so David sought the face of Adonai. Adonai replied, “It is because of Saul and his bloody house, for 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