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Psalm Fivteen Lord, the sins of my tongue are so many! Forgive me for talking too much (because of pride), for talking too little (because of fear), for not

David wrote Psalm 15 during the three months after Uzzah died after touching the Ark of the Covenant to try and stabilize it. It was a time that David wanted to do the right thing but went about it the wrong way. These three months gave David time to think and pray about how God wanted Him to handle the things that are holy. This time of thought and contemplation made David think about two questions: “Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell on your holy hill?” I love it when we go to small group at the Grim’s farm because it is a beautiful and exciting place. Their house is so warm and inviting; it feels like a little piece of heaven has touched earth. It almost seems like something from a magazine– too good to be real. However, there is another part of going to their house that I had never thought about before looking at this passage. They have rules to follow (for example no rough housing and breaking things, no going down to their creek to play or climbing over fences to ride or touch their animals without permission or parental supervision, etc.). I would like you to think of your favorite people’s house to visit. What makes it so fun? So enjoyable? While you have that place in mind, I am going to tell you a little secret. I am certain that the ones that own that place have rules or guidelines for visiting their place or staying there. I know the Grims do, and they are not strict rules nor hard to obey. In fact, unless you were looking for them, you may not even realize that they had these rules. In no way do these guidelines take away from the enjoyment of being there; honestly, these rules help make the place and the experience more enjoyable. God’s house, His tabernacle, His holy hill is the same way. David was wrestling with how someone could be in the presence of a holy God. His friend Uzzah died because he did not follow the guidelines that God had given to handle the Ark of the Covenant. Just like the rules at your friend’s house, God has rules for His. Thus, if we want to be one of those that abide in His tabernacle, one of those that dwell on His holy hill, we must abide by His rules. If we abide by His rules, it does not take away from the joy of being in His presence– rather, it multiplies it. Jesus told us in John 14:1-4 that He was going to heaven to make a mansion for those who believe, who have put their trust in Him. Think about that: He has been working on yours and my mansion for over two thousand years! There are rules for us to be able to be there. If any of us were able to keep the rules we would have to keep them perfectly, because God is Holy and we are not. God loves us so much that He came down to earth, took our rule-breaking upon Himself on the cross, and put His goodness on us. What is required of us is that we trust in what was done on the cross. God still wants us to try to keep the rules that He has given.

telling the truth (because of pride and fear), for words that are harsh and cutting, for hurting others’ reputations through gossip. Purify my words with your Word.

-Timothy Keller, The Songs of Jesus