No Backbiting or Doing Evil to Neighbors - Psalms 15:3

In Psalms chapter fifteen David asked, “LORD, who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in your holy hill? He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart”, and in Psalms chapter fifteen and verse three David said the person who enters the LORD's tabernacle, “backbites not with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor” where we read,

He that backbites not with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor,

nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor.

The verse begins, “He that backbites not with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, ...” David began with the words, “He that backbites” which means “the person whether male or female who does not tale-bear, slander and wander about maliciously” “not with his tongue” or “not with the person's physical tongue used for speaking”, “nor does evil” which means “does not do bad, evil, malignant and unpleasant things giving pain, unhappiness and misery” “to his neighbor” or “toward the person's companions, friends and fellow citizens”. David said the person who dwells in Jehovah God's “tabernacle and holy hill” does not slander or do wickedly to their friends or companions.

The verse goes on to say, “... nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor.” David continued with the words, “nor takes up a reproach” or “and does not carry off, bear and exalt a scorn of shame or disgrace” “against his neighbor” which means “in opposition and over the person's companions, friends and fellow citizens”. David said the person who dwells in Jehovah God's tabernacle and holy hill does not scorn or shame their friends or companions either.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn from David who He said is able to dwell in God's sacred “tabernacle and holy hill”. They do not slander, commit evil to or scorn their friends and companions. Jesus reminded those listening to Him, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (See Matthew 5:44) God loves us, and He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our “sins” so we, even though as His enemies, may be in a personal relationship with Him. We may abide in God's sacred “tabernacle and holy hill” because Jesus gives us access through His sacrifice for our sins, and those who yield to Him will not reproach their neighbors in speech, deeds or characterization.

Next time David says, “In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honors them that fear the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".