The Bible

 

Psalms 15

Study

   

1 (A Psalm of David.) Lord, who may have a resting-place in your tent, a living-place on your holy hill?

2 He who goes on his way uprightly, doing righteousness, and saying what is true in his heart;

3 Whose tongue is not false, who does no evil to his friend, and does not take away the good name of his neighbour;

4 Who gives honour to those who have the fear of the Lord, turning away from him who has not the Lord's approval. He who takes an oath against himself, and makes no change.

5 He who does not put out his money at interest, or for payment give false decisions against men who have done no wrong. He who does these things will never be moved.

   

Commentary

 

Neighbor

  

'The neighbor' is not only an individual person, but also people collectively, as a less or greater society, our country, the church, the Lord's kingdom, and above all, the Lord Himself. These people are 'the neighbor' to whom good is to be done from love. A society is our neighbor more than a single person, because it consists of many people. Our country is our neighbor more than a society because it is like a parent because a person is born in it, and is nourished and protected from injuries by it. The church is our neighbor more than our country, because one who provides for the church provides for the souls and eternal life of the people who dwell in his country. The Lord's kingdom is our neighbor in an even higher degree, because the Lord's kingdom consists of all in good, as well people on the earth as those in the heavens.

(References: The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine 91-95)