Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 15 (NIV)
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? 2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; 3 whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; 4 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; 5 who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Who gets to live on God’s Holy Hill?
Lord thank You for the words of David. In his time, the tabernacle was literally a tent. David moved the tabernacle to Your Holy Hill on Mount Zion. The tabernacle was the place to go to experience Your presence. No wonder he desired to dwell there. By Your mercy, forgiveness, and grace, You are the way to Your eternal dwelling and made it possible to experience Your presence through the Holy Spirit. Almighty God, it is my desire to experience Your presence. Help me to live close to You, to be aware of Your presence, to be filled with wonder about who You are, and to worship You with all my heart. I want to live with You, know You on a personal basis, and feel at home with You. Psalm 15 helps me understand how to live in Your presence. Give me character, integrity, and help me to be completely loyal to You. An upright character includes being actively engaged in doing righteous acts. Help me to be a trustworthy person, and treat other people with respect. Lead me to keep my word to others, even when it is not to my advantage. Show me ways to use my money to help others and keep me from the love of money. I want to dwell in your presence, to “live on your holy hill”. I realize that holiness comes only from you. So teach me by Your Spirit, in what I do and say, how I treat and view others, how I keep my word, how I view and handle money; in all the big and small things of life, to live in ways that help me dwell in your presence. Amen