Psalm 15: Blameless Life

 The Psalm for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany in the lectionary is number 15. It is a Psalm that lays out who is holy enough to ‘dwell in your tabernacle,’ or as the International Children’s Bible translation says ‘enter your Holy Tent.’

The Psalm lists some of the attributes of someone who is blameless. They tell the Truth and do not Lie or Gossip. They don’t charge Usury or take Bribes. Importantly they Keep Promises and Honor others. We find echoes of this way of living in the reading from Micah (6:1-8) which says the Lord simply wants us to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. The reading from 1 Corinthians (1:18-31) notes we are much less than God. In fact, no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” God is the only thing we dare to boast about even if we live the blameless life listed in Psalm 15.

Today’s Gospel is the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12. Jesus sums up the list by announcing that we are Blessed…when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Even if, perhaps especially if, we work to live a holy and blameless life by following the Commandments, doing justice, walking humbly with God without boasting, we often find ourselves reviled as hypocrites or two-faced or goody-two-shoes. No one can ever live an entirely holy life and when we slip up, others are quick to point that out. The Good News is that God loves us anyway, and we are always BLESSED because of that love.

There is a Carmelite shrine in Wisconsin called Holy Hill. After climbing 178 steps you come to his glorious view, though a fairly small window. The life of faith is a lot like climbing up to the top of the tower. We work hard at being the best we can, and sometimes catch a glimpse of the glory of God. The best news is that EVEN IF we don’t do anything or climb those steps, we can still enjoy the scenery and more importantly the love of God.

Today I found Psalm 15 from the International Children’s Bible as a good comparison to the version from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. What do you think? Is there something that pops out from either version that you can take with you this week as you try to live the best life you can. It may not be a week that’s 100% perfect and blameless, but it is full of God’s love.

Psalm 15 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *  who may abide upon your holy hill? Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, * who speaks the truth from his heart. There is no guile upon his tongue;  he does no evil to his friend; *  he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor. In his sight the wicked is rejected, *  but he honors those who fear the Lord. He has sworn to do no wrong *  and does not take back his word. He does not give his money in hope of gain, *  nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things *  shall never be overthrown.   (Episcopal Book of Common Prayer)

Lord, who may enter your Holy Tent?  Who may live on your holy mountain? Only a person who is innocent  and who does what is right. He must speak the truth from his heart. He must not tell lies about others. He must do no wrong to his neighbors.  He must not gossip. He must not respect hateful people.  He must honor those who honor the Lord. He must keep his promises to his neighbor,  even when it hurts. He must not charge interest on money he lends. And he must not take money to hurt innocent people. Whoever does all these things will never be destroyed. (International Children’s Bible)

Next week we’ll consider part of Psalm 112.