Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PSALM 15 PARAPHRASED, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Who shall approach the dread jehovah's throne
Last Line: Mountains may tumble down, but he shall stand.


Verse I.

WHO shall approach the dread Jehovah's Throne
Or dwell within thy courts, O Holy One!
That happy man whose feet shall tread the road
Up Sion's Hill, that holy Hill of God!

Verse II.

He that's devout and strict in all he does,
That through the sinful world uprightly goes,
The desp'rate heights from whence the great ones fall
(Giddy with Fame) turn not his head at all:
Stands firm on Honour's pinnacle, and so
Fears not the dreadful precipice below.
Of Conscience, not of Man, he stands in awe,
Just to observe each tittle of the Law!
His words and thoughts bear not a double part,
His breast is open, and he speaks his heart.

Verse III.

He that reviles not, or with cruel words
(Deadly as venom, sharp as two-edg'd swords)
Murthers his friend's repute, nor dares believe
That rumour which his neighbour's soul may grieve:
But with kind words embalms his bleeding Name,
Wipes off the rust, and polishes his fame.

Verse IV.

He in whose eyes the bravest sinners be
Extremely vile, though rob'd in majesty;
But if he spies a righteous man (though poor)
Him he can honour, love, admire, adore:
In Israel's humble plains had rather stay,
Than in the tents of Kedar bear the sway:
He that severely keeps his sacred vow,
No mental reservation dares allow,
But what he swears, intends; will rather die,
Lose all he has, than tell a solemn lie.

Verse V.

He that extorts not from the needy soul,
When laws his tyranny cannot control;
He whom a thousand empires cannot hire,
Against a guiltless person to conspire.
He that has these perfections, needs no more;
What treasures can be added to his store?
The Pyramids shall turn to dust, to hide
Their own vast bulk, and haughty Founders' pride.
Leviathan shall die within his deep;
The eyes of Heaven close in eternal sleep;
Confusion may o'erwhelm both sea and land;
Mountains may tumble down, but he shall stand.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net