Psalms 15:1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?

Have you ever looked online at the beautiful mansions the highly wealthy live in? The size, the view, the life. I would love to move to an estate looking out to the sea with a golf course next door.

One problem …money.

David is looking on a hill where the future temple of the Lord will be built. But I also believe he was looking beyond the hill into eternity when he asked God, “who can live in your tabernacle in the heavenliness?” “Who can make it to heaven and live in the mansions built for the saved?”

15:2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;

God begins with an overall general requirement. Who can live in heaven? The one who walks a blameless life. Someone who is always honest with themselves and others. Big Problem! We cannot be perfect because we sin, but the Holy Spirit and the Grace of God in our lives help transform us toward this requirement.

15:3 whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;

This verse reminds me of the scripture that smacked me in the face. Ephesians 4:3 “Be completely humble, and gentle. Be patient even with those who do you wrong.” OUCH! God says we must watch out tongues. Do not get even with others. (Forgive me, Lord, and help me with my tongue.) Always tell the truth.

15:4-5 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; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

These are high character traits required to live on that eternal holy hill. The great news is this; we have a Holy Real-Estate Agent who wants to put us into that mansion on God’s Holy Hill. Jesus Christ paid the price for us to live there. Christ used His blood to clean our broken and sinful lives. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us live up to Psalms 15. We will never be successful in this life, but Psalms 15 ends with these words…

“Whoever does these things will never be shaken.”

Let your lightnside shine towards that Holy Hill.

Psalms 12:1-2

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Everyone lies to their neighbor;
    they flatter with their lips
    but harbor deception in their hearts. 

Frustration can lead to generalization

Sometimes life tries to condition our hearts. David is at the bottom of life’s circumstances. He is stunned that the people he trusted had lied to him. They told him what they thought he wanted to hear but did otherwise. David sinks into depression and expresses very generalized statements. “No one can be trusted”, “I am alone”. “I am surrounded by people who are taking advantage of me.” “The godly are no more.” “Everyone lies to his neighbor.” “Their flattering lips speak with deception. “

Sometimes we must understand our emotional states cause us to extremely overgeneralize statements as we express our pain. Is it really true that there are no more godly people? Is it true that everyone lies to their neighbor? No, David is very frustrated and emotional. In this emotional state, he overgeneralizes the world according to his hurt. 

David asks God to bring judgment.

Psalms 12:3-4

May the Lord silence all flattering lips
    and every boastful tongue—
those who say,
    “By our tongues we will prevail;
    our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” 

In frustration, David asks God to deal harshly with all people everywhere that are causing his pain. David asks God to deal with “everyone” according to David’s emotional pain.

God politely refuses David’s prayer.

Psalms 12:5-6

“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
    I will now arise,” says the Lord.
    “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
And the words of the Lord are flawless,
    like silver purified in a crucible
    like gold refined seven times.

David calms down and turns to the Lord. Let us understand the frustration but try not to generalize our pain to all friends, neighbors, workers, or even church friends. Rest, check your heart and return to focus on God.

Let your lightnside rise above frustration.