Study by Felicia A. Trecek / October 24, 2006

Psalm 50:16 reads, "But to the wrong Elohim said, 'What right have you to recite My laws, Or take My covenant in your mouth?' "

Luke 6:46 reads, "Why do you call Me, 'Master, Master ,' and do not do what I say?"

Messiah warned us; "many are called, few are chosen" in Matthew 20:16 and 22:44. After our calling, we all have a personal choice whether or not we want to live-up to the standards YHWH set-forth. Many people recite the laws, profess Messiah, and enter into covenant with YHWH/Messiah, but only a few out of all the people who do these things will be counted worthy - be chosen.

Psalm chapter 15 reveals who the chosen of YHWH will be - who will dwell in His tent and live on His Holy mountain. By direct contrast and implication, it also reveals who won't be chosen. Everyone can read this Psalm to determine whether on not they fulfill the criteria set forth.

Luke 21:36 reads, "Watch then at all times, and pray that you be counted worthy to escape all this about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Adam." We have a direct commandment from our Master Yahushua Messiah to pray that we're counted worthy (chosen). And; in so doing, we need to be examining ourselves - asking our Father in heaven to reveal to us whether or not we're walking the right path in order to be counted worthy. (1Cor 11:28 2Cor 13:5) We're not left in the dark sort of speak. YHWH tells us throughout His books what is required of us. Psalm chapter 15 is an ideal chapter that we can use as our Spiritual guide because it is condensed into five verses and it is forthright.

Psalm 15:1

begins by asking two questions.

"O YHWH, Who shall sojourn (dwell) in Your Tent (Tabernacle)?

Who shall settle (live) on Your Holy Mountain?"

I shall begin by addressing the first question. The first posed question is: "Who shall dwell in Your Tent/Tabernacle?" Firstly, what is His tent/tabernacle? We can read auxiliary scriptures to discover the answer.

2Corinthians 5:1-3 reads, (v:1) "For we know that if the tent of our earthly house is destroyed, we have a building from Elohim, a house not made with hands, everlasting in the heavens." (v:2) "For indeed in this we groan, longing to put on our dwelling which is from heaven," (v:3) "so that, having put it on, we shall not be found naked."

2Corinthians 5:1-3 identifies a tent/tabernacle as something not made by fleshly hands, it is in the heavens, and it is something we can put-on - as like to wear - now so that we are not found naked. This heavenly tent/tabernacle is Spirit. It is not a physical structure nor is it physical clothing.

Continuing in 2Corinthians 5, we discover in verse 5 that Elohim has given His Spirit to the saints as a pledge of what is to fully come - the tent/tabernacle. And, this down-payment Spirit is merely a part of a whole Spirit that will be a permanent dwelling for the saints.

2Corinthians 5:17 specifically reads, "Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, he is a renewed creature - the old matters have passed away, see, all matters have become renewed!" This down-payment Spirit allows us to live inside our Messiah. We become a living part of Him. (Also reference Galatians 2:20-21 and Romans 8:9-11)

1Corinthians 12:27 reads, "...you are a body of Messiah, and members individually." Based upon this scripture, the whole tent/tabernacle is specifically Messiah. In general terms, the tent/tabernacle might be within the realm of both the heavenly Father and Messiah where they dwell together. Nevertheless; based upon the previous scriptures presented the first posed question in Psalm 15:1, "Who shall dwell in Your Tent/Tabernacle?" can be rephrased like the following: "who shall dwell within Messiah?" Messiah told us He is the LIFE in John 14:16. And; if we want everlasting life, we need to dwell in Him, and be a real part of His body. This is likened to Adam and Eve. Eve was literally Adam's rib, but transformed (Ref: Ephesians 5:29-32). We, the saints are given a part of His body to live within so that we can be transformed into a new creature.

The second posed question in Psalm 15:1 should be self-explanatory: "Who shall settle (live) on Your Holy Mountain?" This could be applied to both Spirit and physical individuals. (Examples: Zeph 2:3, Matt 18:4, James 4:6) Although; based upon the first question in Psalm 15 and the remaining content of the chapter, ostensibly this second question is regarding the chosen Spiritual individuals.

Who will be the blessed to live on YHWH's Holy Mountain with Him? Verses 2-5 of Psalm 15 provide the answer.

Psalm 15:2

"He who walks uprightly and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart;"

Regarding "...speaks the truth in his heart;" Truth is clearly defined as the commandments of YHWH in Psalm 119:142,151,160,133-138. Hence; the commandments are written upon his/her heart, and whatever he/she thinks and does is based upon the commandments of truth. Therefore; the people who will dwell in His tent and live upon His Holy mountain, do not pick and choose which commandments they want to follow and then dismiss the rest. The truth is the whole truth contained in all the books and nothing but the truth. This whole truth comprises love toward YHWH (how to honor and worship him), and how to love our neighbor.

Regarding "...walks uprightly..." Walking uprightly is walking honesty and straight. Most of the world's ways are crooked, underhanded, and just plain deceptive for personal gain. We ought not be like the world.

Regarding "...and works righteousness, ..." What exactly is righteousness that we can work? Psalm 119:17 states that all of YHWH's commands are righteousness. In Deuteronomy 6:25 we read that righteousness requires of us "to guard to do all these commands before YHWH Elohim, as He commanded us." Although, In Matthew 5:20 Messiah tells us, "unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall by no means enter into the reign of the heavens." Based upon Messiah's statement, "righteousness" is in degrees or at least on two levels. The degree of righteousness the scribes and Pharisees were performing was based upon the letter of the law since Messiah came to magnify the law (Isaiah 42:21). Messiah specifically said in Matthew 5:17 that He came to fulfil/complete the law. The law itself was not incomplete, but rather the implementation of the law was incomplete. There was/is an aspect of the law that the scribes and Pharisees were neglecting and omitting to implement. Messiah told us what they omitted in Matthew 23:23. They omitted the weightier matters of the law: judgement, mercy and faith. These are not necessarily the letter of the law, but they do pertain to the Spirit of the law.

The righteousness that is required of the saints comes by faith (reference a few examples out of many... Romans 1:17, 2:26-29, 8:3-4, 9:31-32, 10:3-5, Gal 3:5-7, Matt 5:20). Therefore; the righteousness the saints are required to achieve, comes by both the letter and Spirit of the law. We; as like Messiah, must implement the entire law as it applies to us in diaspora.

Romans 2:13 reads, "For not the hearers of the law are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the doers of the law shall be declared right. "

Summary of verse two. Verse two of this chapter; delineated above, fully answers the two posed questions in verse one. In other words, verse two actually expresses the two greatest commandments; love toward YHWH and love toward neighbor, but in different terms. As a repeat, verse two reads: "He who walks uprightly and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart;" 1) There is no crookedness within. 2) He/she is declared righteous for performing the entire law - both letter and Spirit. He/she conforms to the mind and will of Elohim. 3) The truth is generated and comes forth from the heart. However, the subsequent verses - three through five - provide some details of what is expected of us.

Psalm 15:3

"he does not backbite with his tongue, nor do evil to his friend; nor lift up a reproach against his neighbor."

Verse three can be summarized as: love your neighbor as yourself. Although, verse three specifically tells us how NOT to treat our neighbor.

Regarding "he does not backbite with his tongue..." Backbiting is slander. Slandering destroys credibility, it hurts, and it can either damage or destroy relationships. This is a form of murder. I know it well since it has happened to me personally. My once-upon-a-time friend has never cleared-up her slander and lies about me, and she has never asked to reconcile with me (Matt 5:23-24). Is she a coward? Cowards won't be in the kingdom. The cowardly will be burned in the lake of fire (Rev 21:8). But, she and others - so-called baptized believers in Messiah - continue to sing praises to YHWH every week in worship on the Sabbath. They are fooling a whole bunch of people (and themselves), but they're not fooling me or YHWH because these people obviously pick and choose who they want to love.

In John 17:21, Messiah prayed to His Father. It reads, "so that they all might be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, so that they too might be one in Us, so that the world might believe that You have sent Me." (Also reference John 17:11 out of many.) The saints are suppose to become one, united, joined. They draw closer together as like the closeness Messiah and His Father possess. And, this love/closeness is a witness to the world that Messiah came in the flesh according to John 17:21. Although; interestingly, my once-upon-a-time friend who slandered me and her accomplices in crime both told me that they felt we were growing a part. Since the body of Messiah doesn't grow a part, they're obviously walking with a different pair of legs. Their statement, "we're growing a part" is an oxymoron and an antithesis of love. I mention the sin that was committed against me for an example. This type of wickedness happens amongst those who profess Messiah and sing praises to YHWH every week. This is the reason why Messiah said, "many are called, few are chosen" in Matthew 20:16 and 22:44, and also the reason for the statements made in Psalm 50:16 and Luke 6:46. Many recite His laws and say, "Master, Master", but the Master will say, "Depart from Me, I don't know you." (Luke 13:27) Yahushua Messiah said in Luke 8:21, "My mother and My brothers are those who are hearing the Word and doing it."

We're told not to associate with slanderers in Proverbs 20:19. Slanderers speak smooth words. Slanderers have a way of twisting a story whereas it later amounts to a bunch of lies. They make the other person look like the bad guy, and then they play the innocent role and/or the victim role. They mostly never (during the time when they're slandering) tell/confess the sins they committed that added to the situation.

Psalm 101:5 reads, "Him who secretly slanders his neighbor I cut off; I do not tolerate one who has a haughty look and a proud heart." Pride and haughtyness is mentioned in this verse on the subject of slander. It is mentioned because anyone that slanders someone else is usually stuffed-up with pride and haughtiness. Messiah told us in Matthew 12:36-37, (v:36) "And I say to you that for every idle word men speak, they shall give an account of it in the day of judgement." (v:37) "For by your words you shall be declared righteous, and by your words you shall be declared unrighteous."

Because Elohim said that he cuts off those who SECRETLY slander and since we're responsible for everything idle word we say, we need to be mindful of what we say about others and how we act. We could lose our salvation.

Regarding "...nor do evil to his friend..." Friends are important. Don't destroy friendships. It's satanic and anti-Messiah. Most importantly; if you do evil to a fellow brother/sister in Messiah - someone who possesses the Holy Spirit, you are directly doing evil to Messiah since He lives within. Anyone that does evil to one of Messiah's body members is directly messing with YHWH. Galatians 6:10 reads, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." To everyone who is called of YHWH: take heed and be mindful.

"...nor do evil to his friend..." directly refers to the household of faith. John 15:12-14 reads, (v:12) "This is My command, that you love one another, as I have loved you." (v:13) "No one has greater love than this: that one should lay down his life for his friends." (v:14) "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."

Messiah's words in John 15:12-14 are plain as daylight. If we are unwilling to lay our life down for a fellow believer, we are not a friend of Messiah's. It's that simple. (We lay our lives down through and by our money, time, energy... etc.)

2Thessalonians 1:8 informs us that YHWH will take fiery vengeance on those who do not obey the Good-News. And, we are commanded to ignore and cast-out those who do not obey according to 2John 9:11, Romans 16:17-18, Prov 20:19 and the like. The bible isn't a game that we can play around with. It's serious. It's the Word of Elohim. Don't pick and choose - biting the hand that feeds you and sustains your every breath.

Regarding "...nor lift up a reproach against his neighbor." The Hebrew word translated, "reproach" is "kher-paw" and is Strong's Concordance #2781 meaning: contumely. According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, "contumely" means: rude language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt.

We're all made in His image. Hence, we ought to be mindful of our words and actions toward others. Although; as most of us know, sometimes this can be difficult when someone has sorely wronged us and shows us no care afterward. (They demonstrate the absence of YHWH's love within their heart.) The root of anger can take hold within us. Nevertheless, verse three is one of the requirements to dwell in His tent, and live on His Holy Hill. We must refrain from rude language and the like.

Psalm 15:4

"In his eyes, the reprobate has been despised, but he honors those who fear YHWH: He has sworn to his hurt, and will not change it."

Regarding "In his eyes, the reprobate has been despised,..." A "reprobate" is someone who is vile: a mean person or someone who is morally despicable. We are commanded to despise/hate evil (Ref Ps 97:10, Prov 8:13). It's best and wise to stay away from reprobates.

Regarding "...but he honors those who fear YHWH:" He who honors those who fear YHWH, will most likely fear YHWH himself. Philippians 2:12 tells us to work out our own salvation with FEAR and trembling. We ought not to become complacent whereas we feel warm and cozy with ourselves. We need to be actively searching out any evil within us and throw it out. Get rid of any pride (if any) and do what's right in the eyes of YHWH.

Regarding "...He has sworn to his hurt, and will not change it." This statement means: if (for an example) we give our word to do something (whatever it may be), but we later discover that what we had promised to do actually damages us in some way. Although, we ought not to change what we said we would do if it remains within our means. For example: we can pledge to help pay for something that someone else needs. In so doing, we think that the cost is only $50.00. However; we later discover that the cost is much more, but the person we made the pledge too is counting on us to help him/her. So, we remain true to our word in helping them purchase the item if we actually have to pay $150 instead. We should not back-out of a deal/contract we make. We need to try and remain faithful to our own words. In the eyes of YHWH, words are not some puff of air that we blow out. Sometimes they are contractual.

Psalm 15:5

"He has not put out his silver at interest; nor has he taken a bribe against the innocent; he who does these things shall never be moved."

Regarding "He has not put out his silver at interest;" YHWH hates when someone lends money on interest. The borrower can become deeper in debt and it can lead them into financial ruin. YHWH gave a direct commandment against lending money to a brother/sister on interest in Exodus 22:5, Lev 25:36-38 and Deut 23:19. YHWH views it as a form of slavery.

Regarding "nor has he taken a bribe against the innocent;" This statement should be self-explanatory.

Regarding "he who does these things shall never be moved." If we heed Psalm 15, we will become the chosen who will fully dwell within His tent, and who will live on His Holy hill.