Psalms 15:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures took oaths extremely seriously. Swearing invoked deity as witness and guarantor, making oath-breaking both social disgrace and religious offense. In cultures without modern legal systems, a person's word was their bond—trust enabled commerce and community.
Old Testament law regulated oath-taking (Leviticus 19:12, Deuteronomy 23:21-23), prohibiting false oaths and requiring faithful fulfillment. Breaking oaths profaned God's name since He was invoked as witness. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 warns: "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."
Biblical examples illustrate this principle. Joshua honored his oath to the Gibeonites despite their deception (Joshua 9:15-20). Jephthah fulfilled his rash vow with tragic consequences (Judges 11:30-40). David kept his oath to Jonathan by showing kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9). These narratives emphasize that keeping one's word—even when costly—reflects godly character.
Conversely, Scripture condemns oath-breakers. Ezekiel 17:11-21 indicts King Zedekiah for breaking his covenant oath to Nebuchadnezzar, treating oath-breaking as rebellion against God Himself. Zechariah 5:3-4 pronounces curse on those who swear falsely.
Jesus's teaching about oaths (Matthew 5:33-37) doesn't contradict this psalm but intensifies it. Rather than elaborate oath-taking systems, Jesus calls for such consistent truthfulness that oaths become unnecessary—"let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay." This raises the bar: don't merely keep formal oaths while being deceptive in ordinary speech, but be so consistently truthful that your simple word is fully trustworthy.
For modern Christians living in contracts-and-lawyers culture, this verse challenges casual promise-breaking and expedient revisions when commitments become inconvenient. It also calls for moral discernment—honoring those who honor God rather than automatically deferring to wealth, power, or status.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'contemn' (despise) a vile person while still loving them as Jesus commanded?
- How can you honor those who fear the LORD in practical ways, especially when they lack worldly status or success?
- What commitments have you made that have become costly to fulfill, and how does this verse address temptation to revise them?
- How does Jesus's teaching about letting your 'yes' be 'yes' intensify this psalm's standard of promise-keeping?
- In what ways might modern culture's casual approach to commitments (easy divorce, broken contracts, ignored promises) conflict with biblical integrity?
Analysis & Commentary
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. This verse addresses the worshiper's values and integrity in commitments, demonstrating that fitness for God's presence involves discernment in associations and faithfulness in promises.
"In whose eyes a vile person is contemned" (נִבְזֶה בְּעֵינָיו נִמְאָס/nivzeh be'einav nim'as) indicates moral discernment and proper values. Nim'as means despised, rejected, treated as contemptible. A "vile person" (nivzeh) is one rejected by God—morally reprobate, one who spurns divine standards. The godly person shares God's perspective, not celebrating or honoring wickedness but recognizing it as contemptible. This isn't personal animosity but moral clarity—refusing to call evil good or good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
"But he honoureth them that fear the LORD" (וְאֶת־יִרְאֵי יְהוָה יְכַבֵּד/ve'et-yir'ei Yahweh yekhabed) presents the contrast. Yir'ei (those who fear) indicates reverence, awe, proper respect for God. Yekhabed means to honor, glorify, give weight to. The godly person honors those who honor God, regardless of social status or worldly success. This values system inverts worldly wisdom—honoring humble believers over wealthy pagans, faithful servants over successful rebels.
"He that sweareth to his own hurt" (נִשְׁבַּע לְהָרַע/nishba' lehara) addresses promise-keeping even when costly. Nishba' means to swear, take an oath, make a binding commitment. Lehara means to one's hurt, harm, or disadvantage. This person makes commitments that later become costly—perhaps circumstances change, making fulfillment expensive or painful—yet integrity demands keeping the promise.
"And changeth not" (וְלֹא יָמִר/velo yamir) emphasizes steadfastness. Yamir means to change, exchange, replace. Despite cost or inconvenience, this person doesn't revise commitments for personal advantage. Their word is binding regardless of changed circumstances. Numbers 30:2 commands: "If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth."
This verse reveals God values integrity over convenience, faithfulness over self-interest, moral clarity over popularity. Fitness for God's presence requires valuing what God values and keeping commitments regardless of cost.