5/19 Psalm 15 - Paths of Righteousness

The question we all need to ask is: How does God want me to live? Psalm 15 asks that question and gives us God's profound answer. Join us as we dive into this wonderfully rich psalm!

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. What is the point of the opening question of verse 1? What is the author speaking about at with terms like “abide” and “dwell”?

2. Why doesn’t the author simply answer his own question saying, “those who are in covenant with the Lord?”

3. Is this psalm, teaching some kind of works salvation? If not, then what is it teaching?

4. Verse 2 tells us, “He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.” What does it mean to walk in integrity? What does it mean to “work righteousness?” What does it mean to speak truth in our heart?

5. Verse 3 tells us, “He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend.” How is our speech a reflection of abiding with God? How about not doing evil to a neighbor, why does that reflect a person who abides with God?

6. Have you ever had a friend annoy you? Or sin against you? How does the phrase in verse 3, “does not take up a reproach against his friend” speak to those kinds of situations?

7. When a person walks with God, how does this reality change their view of God’s enemies in verse 4? How does this reality change their view of those who fear the Lord? Why?

8. In verse 4, what does it mean to “swear to our own hurt”? Where have you had to do this in your own life? Why does this characterize those who abide with God?

9. According to verse 5, how does fellowship with the Lord affect our financial dealings? Why?

10. What is the final promise at the end of verse 5? Why would this be true of those who abide with the Lord?

11. When you reflect on Psalm 15, these statements can also be shown in reverse… those who walk in inconsistency do not abide with God. Those who walk in wickedness do not abide with God. Those who walk in falsehood do not abide with God. Those who slander others or think evilly of others, do not abide with God. We could keep going… as you reflect on these principles why can’t we abide with God and still walk in these ways?

12. Read over Psalm 15 one more time. Where are these principles true of you? Where do you need more work?

The Key Chapters Bible Podcast is a daily, 15ish minute podcast that goes over the key chapters of the Bible, one per day, explaining how it fits into the overall message of God and how it relates to our lives now. Jump in today or start back in Genesis 1!

To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org.

Available on all major podcast platforms, and now on YouTube.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819

As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 40 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com.

Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM.

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.