Psalm 15: Life with Integrity

O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?

Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2  He who walks blamelessly and does what is right

and speaks truth in his heart;

3  who does not slander with his tongue

and does no evil to his neighbor,

nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

4  in whose eyes a vile person is despised,

but who honors those who fear the Lord;

who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

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.

Psalm 15 begins with a searching question: “Lord, who may dwell in Your sacred tent? Who may live on Your holy mountain?”

The psalmist does not answer with ritual, status, or achievement. Instead, he describes a person whose life is marked by integrity. The one who lives close to God is not merely a worshiper in word, but a person whose character reflects the heart of God.

Among the marks of such a life, one stands out with particular clarity: “Whoever does not slander others, does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others.”

In a world where words are easily spoken and quickly spread, integrity is tested most visibly in speech.

Integrity in the Tongue

Slander is not only open insult. It is the quiet comment that diminishes someone when they are not present. It is the subtle tone that implies failure. It is the retelling of a story in a way that harms a reputation.

Psalm 15 teaches that the person who desires to dwell with God refuses to weaponize words. They do not build themselves up by tearing others down. They do not pass along rumors simply because the information is interesting. They do not exploit weakness for conversation.

Speech reveals the condition of the heart. If the heart is rooted in God, the tongue becomes an instrument of protection rather than destruction.

Doing No Wrong to a Friend

Integrity is not limited to avoiding evil; it also involves active faithfulness. To “do no wrong to their friends” means honoring trust, guarding confidences, and acting in ways that strengthen rather than undermine relationships.

Friendship is sacred ground. When we betray it through careless speech or hidden motives, we wound not only another person but also our own spiritual life. Psalm 15 reminds us that our relationship with God is closely tied to how we treat those near us.

Refusing to Spread Rumors

Rumors travel quickly, especially in close communities. They often begin with partial truth and grow through assumption. Spreading them may feel harmless, yet Scripture places such behavior in direct contrast to the life that pleases God.

Choosing not to repeat unverified or harmful information requires discipline. It may mean remaining silent when others are speaking. It may mean gently redirecting a conversation. It may mean defending someone who is absent.

This restraint is not weakness; it is strength under control. It reflects reverence for God and respect for people made in His image.

Dwelling with God Through Daily Integrity

Psalm 15 concludes with a promise:“Whoever does these things will never be shaken.”

Stability in life does not come from circumstances. It comes from character shaped by God’s presence. When we guard our speech, honor our friendships, and refuse to harm others through rumor, we build a foundation that endures.

To live with integrity is to make daily choices:

• To pause before speaking.

• To examine motives before sharing information.

• To protect the dignity of others, even when they are not present.

• To let truth be spoken in love and silence be chosen when words would wound.

  
  

Such a life reflects the heart of Christ. It invites the presence of God into ordinary conversations. It transforms homes, workplaces, communities, and churches.

May we seek not only to worship God with our lips, but to honor Him with every word we speak.

And may our integrity become the quiet testimony that we desire to dwell on His holy hill.