Bible Strands
Psalms 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist outlines the ethical qualifications for those permitted to dwell in God’s sanctuary. The passage addresses a community or seeker asking who may safely approach the divine presence.
The words — The Hebrew נִמְאָס (nim.'As) literally means a rejected person, paired with נִבְזֶה (niv.Zeh) for despised. The verb יְכַבֵּ֑ד (ye.kha.Bed) denotes actively honoring those who fear Yahweh.
The thread — The theme of keeping solemn vows appears in Judges 11:35 regarding Jephthah’s regrettable pledge and Matthew 5:33’s command against breaking oaths. The preference for the faithful over the vile parallels the stance taken in Psalms 101:6.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader reject contempt for the wicked while actively upholding integrity toward God-fearing people. It requires strict adherence to sworn commitments regardless of personal cost.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Judges 11:35 As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have brought me to my knees! You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”
- Matthew 5:33 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’
- Psalms 101:6 My eyes favor the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way of integrity shall minister to me.
- Psalms 101:4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil.
- Psalms 16:3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides.
- Isaiah 32:5 No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected.
- 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.
- Job 32:21 I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.
- Psalms 119:63 I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.
- Joshua 9:18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.