Psalm 15 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Verse 2Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
Verse 3who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
Verse 4in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
Verse 5who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.
Devotion
Who, indeed, O God? Who may abide in you? Who may dwell with you? I want to abide in your tent, to dwell on your holy hill, to be where you are. But apparently I don’t qualify. I fall so short. Some days I can speak truth from my heart, and some days I can honor one who fears the Lord. But most days, I can do so little that is good, so little that is required of one who dwells in your tent. I don’t lead a blameless life, I don’t always do what is right, but I still want to abide in you.
Who, my child? Who may abide in me? Who may dwell with me? You, my child. You, my beloved. For I promised to come and make my home with you. I already abide with you – and you with me. You are where I am, for I dwell with you now.
Prayer
Emmanuel, you are indeed “God-with-us” – and “God-with-me.” Help me to rest in your abiding, indwelling spirit, knowing that you are always with me and with all your creatures. Amen.