Psalm/Tehillim 15

Translation Rabbi Avraham Sutton

King David herein encapsulates eleven quintessential qualities and traits that one should cultivate in order to lead a G-dly life, to attain the highest degree of human perfection, and thereby inherit Eternity.

S.R. Hirsch
A Psalm of David. Lord, who shall sojourn in Thy Tabernacle, who shall dwell upon the mountain of Thy Sanctuary?	(1) Mizmor LeDavid – A cutting-psalm by David. Hashem, who can dwell in Your tent [i.e. live a spiritual life even in this-world which is likened to a temporary tent]! Who will abide on Your Holy Mountain [i.e. in the Heavenly Beth HaMikdash]!	Mizmor Le’David. Adonai, mi yagur be’aho’lecha! Mi yish’kon be’har kod’shecha!	(א) מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד יְהֹוָה מִי יָגוּר בְּאָהֳלֶךָ. מִי יִשְׁכֹּן בְּהַר קָדְשֶׁךָ: 1751=14=8
He who walks in moral integrity and practices righteousness and speaks the truth with his heart.	(2) He who walks in wholehearted integrity, deals righteously, and speaks truth in his heart.	Holech tamim, u’fo’el tzedek, dover emet bi’le’vavo.	(ב) הוֹלֵךְ תָּמִים וּפֹעֵל צֶדֶק. וְדֹבֵר אֱמֶת בִּלְבָבוֹ: 2666+7=2673=18 (final letters)
He who has borne no slander upon his tongue; nor done evil to his fellow, nor tolerated an aspersion cast upon his neighbor.	(3) He who has no slander on his tongue, who has not acted wickedly towards his brother, nor cast disgrace upon his relative [i.e. friend].	Lo ragal al leshono, lo asah le’re’ehu ra’ah, ve’her’pah lo nasa al kerovo.	(ג) לֹא רָגַל עַל לְשֹׁנוֹ. לֹא עָשָׂה לְרֵעֵהוּ רָעָה. וְחֶרְפָּה לֹא נָשָׂא עַל קְרֹבוֹ: 2831+13words=2844=18
In whose eyes that which is blameworthy is despised, and he honors those who fear the Lord. He has sworn this once to evil and does not change [his vow].	(4) He who is lowly in his own eyes, and extremely humble; who honors those who revere Hashem; who, though he swear to his own disadvantage, does not recant on his oath.	Niv’zeh be’einav nim’aas, ve’et yir’ei Adonai ye’chabed; nish’ba le’ha’ra ve’lo yamir.	(ד) נִבְזֶה בְּעֵינָיו נִמְאָס. וְאֶת יִרְאֵי יְהֹוָה יְכַבֵּד. נִשְׁבַּע לְהָרַע וְלֹא יָמִר: 2067+11words=2078=17=8
He who has not put out his money for usury, nor has taken a bribe against an innocent man – he who so acts as by these principles will not waver forever.	(5) He who has not lent his money with interest, or taken a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never falter.	Kaspo lo natan be’neshech, ve’shohad al naki lo lakah. Oseh eleh lo yimot le’olam.	(ה) כַּסְפּוֹ לֹא נָתַן בְּנֶשֶׁךְ. וְשֹׁחַד עַל נָקִי לֹא לָקָח. עֹשֵׂה אֵלֶּה לֹא יִמּוֹט לְעוֹלָם: 4189+14 words = 4203=1+8 (final letters)