Page:04.BCOT.KD.PoeticalBooks.vol.4.Writings.djvu/233

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one who pays interest נשׁוּך, the interest itself נשׁך. The trait of character described in Psa 15:5 also recalls the language of the Mosaic law: שׁחד לא לקח, the prohibition Exo 23:8; Deu 16:19; and על־נקי, the curse Deu 27:25 : on account of the innocent, i.e., against him, to condemn him. Whether it be as a loan or as a gift, he gives without conditions, and if he attain the dignity of a judge he is proof against bribery, especially with reference to the destruction of the innocent. And now instead of closing in conformity with the description of character already given: such a man shall dwell, etc., the concluding sentence takes a different form, moulded in accordance with the spiritual meaning of the opening question: he who doeth these things shall never be moved (ימּוט fut. Niph.), he stands fast, being upheld by Jahve, hidden in His fellowship; nothing from without, no misfortune, can cause his overthrow.

Psalm 16

Refuge in God, the Highest Good, in the Presence of Distress and of Death