Daily Devotions
Psalms
"LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?"
Day 102 – Psalm 15
“LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?” Psalm 15:1a
SUPERSCRIPTION
Some superscriptions were very brief. The superscription does little more than to identify the author. Psalm 15 had this for a superscription, “A Psalm of David.” There may be reasons why some superscriptions had such terse statements:-
1. Personal
a) All psalms were written for personal reasons.
b) Some psalms were used for public reading (in a worship service).
c) Some psalms may have been meant as a private collection.
d) Hence they were not sent to “the Chief Musician” for attention.
2. Musical notation
a) Some psalms had very clear instructions as to how they were to be utilized.
b) Others awaited further attention from the author.
3. Where there is a lack of further information concerning usage
a) We may read these psalms as personal contemplations of the author.
b) The thoughts contained therein must be appreciated as very private thoughts.
CONTEMPLATION ABOUT GOD
Some psalms were prayers addressed to God. These often contained strong petitions because of desperate situations in life (Psalm 3, 4 etc).
Other psalms were more contemplative in nature. Psalm 15 is an example of such contemplative works. The subject in mind is that of “Dwelling in the Presence of God.”
“LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?”
Psalm 15:1
David’s thoughts turned to God often. Such was his faith in God, and his love for Him, that he thought of Him most naturally.
God’s abode was in heaven (Psalm 2:4; 14:2). But was there not also a place on earth that represented His presence? David believed so. God had an earthly abode. He may be found in His “tabernacle”. Where God’s presence is felt, there was His “holy hill” (Psalm 3:4; 15:1b).