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This psalm is supposed by some to have been written on the removal of the ark to Zion. "As it is not only in David's time that the symbol has been placed above the thing signified, and a superstitious efficacy attached to the externals of worship, this psalm has an equal value in every age in keeping before the mind the great lesson that sanctity of life and truth of heart are the absolute essentials of a spiritual religion." How can we dwell truly and in the most intimate abiding fellowship with God? That is the question which the psalm answers; and the answer is - Access to God lies open to none but his pure worshippers. Two answers are given, each answer having both a positive and a negative form.

I. FIRST ANSWER.

1. Positively. (Ver. 2.)

(1) He walketh uprightly; i.e. with integrity, with an undivided purpose of heart and mind. He does not try "to serve two masters"

(2) He worketh righteousness, or does the will of God. Not his own will, or the desires of the passions and appetites. He loves and does the right.

(3) He speaks the truth in his heart. Speaks the truth because he loves it, not with unwilling constraint. He speaks it in his heart, because it dwells there, before he utters it with his tongue.

2. Negatively. (Ver. 3.) He is not one who injures others

(1) by word; or

(2) by deed; or

(3) by listening to and propagating slander.

II. SECOND ANSWER. (Vers. 4, 5.)

1. Positively. (Ver. 4.)

(1) He turns away from the company of evil persons because he has no sympathy with them. He con-remus them.

(2) He honours the good in every way that he can honour them - defending, applauding, imitating them.

(3) He keeps sacred his word or his oath. "Not a casuist, who sets himself to find a pretext for breaking his word when it is inconvenient to keep it."

2. Negatively. (Ver. 5.)

(1) Not one who loves usury, but is willing to help the poor from a generous heart (Exodus 22:25).

(2) Does not take bribes in the administration of justice. Incorruptibly just. "Such a man may not take up his dwelling in the earthly courts of the Lord; but he shall so live in the presence of God, and under the care of God, that his feet shall be upon a rock." Would that all Christians answered to this picture! - S.

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KJV: {A Psalm of David.} LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

WEB: Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill?