מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד ה' מִי יָגוּר בְּאָהֳלֶךָ מִי יִשְׁכֹּן בְּהַר קָדְשֶׁךָ: הוֹלֵךְ תָּמִים וּפֹעֵל צֶדֶק וְדֹבֵר אֱמֶת בִּלְבָבוֹ: לֹא רָגַל עַל לְשֹׁנוֹ לֹא עָשָׂה לְרֵעֵהוּ רָעָה וְחֶרְפָּה לֹא נָשָׂא עַל קְרֹבוֹ: נִבְזֶה בְּעֵינָיו נִמְאָס וְאֶת יִרְאֵי ה' יְכַבֵּד נִשְׁבַּע לְהָרַע וְלֹא יָמִר: כַּסְפּוֹ לֹא נָתַן בְּנֶשֶׁךְ וְשֹׁחַד עַל נָקִי לֹא לָקָח עֹשֵׂה אֵלֶּה לֹא יִמּוֹט לְעוֹלָם:
Psalm of David. Adonai, who may sojourn in Your tent, who may dwell on Your holy mountain? One who lives without blame, who does what is just, and in whose heart acknowledges the truth; whose tongue is not given to evil; who has never done harm to their fellow, or borne reproach for their acts toward their neighbor; for whom a contemptible individual is abhorrent, but who honors those who fear Adonai; who stands by their oath even to their own hurt; who has never lent money at interest, or accepted a bribe against the innocent. One who acts thus shall never be shaken.
[AJWS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What is the nature of the traits that qualify someone to become close to God?
2. What does this text mean by "one who has never"? Does this accommodate those who have sinned repented?
3. What does it mean to "never be shaken"? How is this a reward for ethical behavior?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)