It strikes me as a kind of “Sermon on the Mount” song. A song about the ideal worshiper, the perfect follower — in my case, what I hope the “final product” looks like, what I hope is becoming a reality, as I’m being “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). And at its heart, it seems to me, is a conversation within the heart.

O LORD, who shall sojourn in Your tent?
       Who shall dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
       and speaks truth in his heart.

(Psalm 15:1-2 ESV)

Speaks truth in his heart . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The song begins with a profound question — who has access to the place where the glory dwells? And yet it provides a pretty simple answer — the one who walks blamelessly. Well, that counts me out right off the bat.

But note that the blameless walk, is bound to an inner talk — to speaking truth in the heart. Seems that when the inner conversation is grounded in what is real the outer conduct will eventually manifest itself in what is right.

Note also that, in this song, the examples of what is right all have to do other people. What is spoken of others (Ps. 15:3), what is valued in others (Ps. 15:4a), what is sacrificed for others (Ps. 15:4b-5a). While the blameless walk may encompass much, much more, it is certainly characterized by nothing less than how we treat our friends, our neighbors, and the innocent.

So, how we see others, how we treat others, comes out of an inner conversation. An inner conversation that begins with the truth of God revealing the heart of God to us. An inner conversation that begins with the words of Christ shaping the mind of Christ within us. An inner conversation acknowledging the grace we’ve known through Spirit overflowing as a spirit of grace from us. An inner conversation sourced from truth in the heart which manifests itself in doing what is right . . . even if it hurts (Ps. 15:4b).

He who does these things shall never be moved.

(Psalm 15:5b ESV)

Word of God speak. Heart of mine heed. Truth of God transform.

Only by Your grace. Always for Your glory.