Psalms 15:2

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 15:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart;
Psalms 15:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He that walketh uprightly, etc.] Or “perfectly” f228; (see <011701>Genesis 17:1); not so as to be without sin entirely, but as not to be chargeable with any notorious crime, and living in it; moreover, perfection and uprightness often signify sincerity, and the phrase here may design an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile; whose faith is unfeigned, whose love is without dissimulation, whose hope is without hypocrisy, and his whole conduct without fraud and deceit; likewise such an one may be said to walk uprightly who walks according to the truth of the Gospel, and by faith on Christ and in Christ, as he has received him; and such an one is fit to be a member of a Gospel church; and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“walketh--(Compare Psa 1:1). uprightly--in a complete manner, as to all parts of conduct (Gen 17:1), not as to degree. worketh--or, "does." righteousness--what is right. in his heart--sincerely (Pro 23:7).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He that walketh uprightly - Hebrew, “walking perfectly;” that is, one who walks or lives “perfectly.” The word “walk” in the Scriptures is often used to denote the manner of life; life being represented as a journey. See the note at Psalms 1:1. The word here rendered “uprightly,” or, in the Hebrew, “perfectly,” means that which is complete in all its parts; where no part is missing or is defective. See the word explained in the notes at Job 1:1. The Word is not used in the sense in which it is often employed now, as denoting absolute freedom from sin, but as meaning that the character was complete in all its parts; or that the person referred to was upright alike in regard to God and to man.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Uprightly - Loving, and serving God, and loving his neighbour not in word only, but in truth; and this constantly. Worketh - Makes it his business to do justly, to give to every one his due, first to God, and then to men. Speaketh - His words and professions to God and men, agree with the thoughts and purposes of his heart. Psalms 15:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:2 The godly speak truthfully and act faithfully in their relationships. Unlike the wicked, they are open and transparent (12:2-4).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He: Psa 84:11; Pro 2:7, Pro 2:8, Pro 28:18; Isa 33:15; Mic 2:7; Luk 1:6; Gal 2:14; Jo1 2:6 worketh: Act 10:35; Rom 2:10; Eph 2:10; Heb 11:33; Jo1 2:29, Jo1 3:7; Rev 22:14, Rev 22:15 speaketh: Psa 34:12, Psa 34:13; Isa 63:8; Zac 8:16, Zac 8:17; Eph 4:25; Col 3:9; Rev 21:8 Psalms 15:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification