Psalms 15:5

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.

Psalms 15:5 in Other Translations

KJV
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
ESV
5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
NLT
5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
MSG
5 make an honest living, never take a bribe. "You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this."
CSB
5 who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent- the one who does these things will never be moved.

Psalms 15:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 15:5

[He that] putteth not out his money to usury
To the poor, in an extravagant and exorbitant way, by which he bites, devours, and destroys his little substance, and sadly afflicts and distresses him; see ( Exodus 22:25 ) ; otherwise, to lend money on moderate interest, and according to the laws, customs, and usages of nations, and to take interest for it, is no more unlawful than to take interest for houses and land; yea, it is according to the law of common justice and equity, that if one man lends money to another to trade with, and gain by, that he should have a proportionate share in the gain of such a trade; but the design of this passage, and the law on which it is founded, is, to forbid all exactions and oppressions of the poor, and all avaricious practices, and to encourage liberality and beneficence; and such who are covetous, and bite and oppress the poor, are not fit for church communion; see ( 1 Corinthians 5:11 ) ( Ephesians 5:5 ) ;

nor taketh reward against the innocent;
either to swear falsely against him, or to pass a wrong sentence on him; see ( 1 Samuel 12:3 ) ;

he that doeth these [things] shall never be moved;
from the tabernacle of God, and his holy hill; he is fit to be a member of the church of God, and an inhabitant of Zion; and he shall dwell and abide there, he shall be a pillar which shall never go out, ( Revelation 3:12 ) ; he shall finally persevere, through the grace of God; he shall hold on and out unto the end: and though he may fall through infirmity and temptation into sin, and that many times, yet he shall not finally and totally fall, ( 2 Peter 1:10 ) ; but shall be as Mount Zion which can never be removed, ( Psalms 125:1 Psalms 125:2 ) ; The words should be rendered, since the accent "athnach" is on (hla) , "these things", thus; "he that doeth these things", not only what is mentioned in this verse, but in the foregoing, "he", I say, "shall never be moved".

Psalms 15:5 In-Context

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.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Exodus 22:25
  • 2. S Exodus 18:21; S 1 Samuel 8:3; Acts 24:26; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19
  • 3. S Job 29:18; Psalms 21:7; Psalms 112:6; Acts 2:25; Hebrews 12:28; 2 Peter 1:10
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.