Psalm 15 Bible study questions help a small group, Sunday class, or personal reader move through one short psalm about who may approach God and live in his presence. This chapter asks a single pointed question at the start and then describes, in five verses, the character of the person who lives it out. The questions below are arranged in three sets, moving from what the text says, to what it means, to how it shapes daily life.
Psalm 15 at a Glance
The psalm opens with a question about access: who may dwell in God’s sanctuary and live on his holy hill. Verses 2 through 5 answer it with a portrait rather than a checklist. The person described walks with integrity, speaks truth from the heart, refuses to slander or harm a neighbor, keeps promises even when it costs them, and treats money and justice with care.
The final line makes a promise: a person who lives this way will never be shaken. The psalm holds together inner character and outward conduct, showing that they cannot be separated.
Observation Questions
Use these questions first, before anyone offers an interpretation. Ask the group to point to the exact words in the chapter, and resist the urge to explain until the text has been read closely. Short answers that cite verse numbers work best here.
Psalm 15:1
The LORD, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill?
(WEB)
Begin with the opening question, since everything else in the psalm answers it. Reading it aloud sets the central concern of the chapter before the group turns to its details.
Psalm 15:2
He who walks blamelessly does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart…
(WEB)
This verse names the core of the described life, combining blameless conduct with honest speech from the heart. Reading it aloud helps the group hold outward and inward integrity together.
Psalm 15:3
He who doesn’t slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man…
(WEB)
The list of harms in this verse is concrete and direct. Reading it aloud gives the group a chance to hear how seriously the psalm treats the damage done by words and reputation.
Psalm 15:4
In whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change…
(WEB)
Reading the promise-keeping line aloud lets the group hear the phrase “even when it hurts” in context. It also highlights the honor given to those who fear the LORD.
Psalm 15:5
He who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.
(WEB)
This closing verse brings the psalm to its final promise and its concrete concerns about money and justice. Reading it last allows the group to end the reading on the promise of stability.
Memory Verse for Psalm 15
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we come to you with the question the psalmist asked, who may dwell in your presence. We confess that our words have sometimes wounded others, and that our promises have sometimes bent when keeping them became costly. Shape our hearts so that our speech is true and our conduct is blameless. Help us to honor those who fear you, to deal fairly in every matter of money, and to keep our word even when it is hard. Lead us into a steadier life rooted in you. Amen.
