Psalms

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

1LORD, who may stay as a guest in your tent? Who may live on your holy hill?

Note"Tabernacle" means a tent. This was the tent where Israel worshiped God before the temple was built. The "holy hill" is Zion, the hill in Jerusalem where God was worshiped.

2He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

2The person who lives an honest life, who does what is right, and who speaks the truth from the heart.

3He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

3He does not say harmful things about people. He does not hurt his neighbor or spread shame about a friend.

4In 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.

4He has no respect for a person who lives an evil life, but he honors those who honor the LORD. When he makes a promise, he keeps it, even when keeping it costs him.

Note"Contemned" is an old word meaning looked down on or refused honor. "Sweareth to his own hurt" means he made a promise that turned out to cost him, and he still kept it.

5He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

5He lends his money without charging extra for it. He will not take a bribe to harm an innocent person. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

Note"Usury" here does not mean unfair interest only. In this verse it means charging any interest at all on a loan to a fellow Israelite, which the law forbade.