He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

PSALMS 15:2KJV
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Psalms 15:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 15:2 mean?

Psalms 15:2 describes the kind of person who can approach God: someone who lives with integrity, does what is right, and is honest deep within themselves. The verse highlights that both actions and inner truthfulness matter to God.

In this psalm, David is speaking to God and reflecting on the qualities needed to dwell in God’s presence. The verse is part of a larger question about who is worthy to be close to God, focusing here on upright living, doing what is just, and having sincerity in one’s heart, not just outward behavior.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 15:2

  • "walketh" (הָלַךְ, halakh): This word often means to live or conduct oneself, not just literal walking. It points to a person’s whole way of life.
  • "uprightly" (תָּמִים, tamim): This word means blameless or whole, suggesting a life of integrity and completeness, not just avoiding obvious wrongdoing.
  • "righteousness" (צֶדֶק, tsedeq): This word refers to doing what is right or just, especially in how one treats others, not just following rules.
  • "truth" (אֱמֶת, emet): This word means faithfulness or reliability, not just factual accuracy. Speaking truth "in his heart" (בְּלֵבָבוֹ, b’levavo) emphasizes honesty that comes from deep within, not just outward speech.

Why Psalms 15:2 matters

  • Psalms 15:2 clarifies that God cares about both what a person does and who they are on the inside, not just outward actions or religious rituals.
  • The verse connects personal integrity and justice with the privilege of being close to God, showing that character and honesty are essential for true worship.
  • By mentioning truth "in his heart," Psalms 15:2 warns against hypocrisy and highlights the importance of sincerity, not just saying the right things.

Where else these words appear

“worketh” Hebrew H6466 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
  • Psalms 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

“uprightly” Hebrew H8549 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
  • Numbers 28:9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
  • Psalms 18:23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

“righteousness” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 58:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

“truth” Hebrew H571 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
  • Psalms 30:9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
  • Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.