Psalms 15:4

He despises a reprobate, ¹  but honors the Lord’s loyal followers. ²  He makes firm commitments and does not renege on his promise. ³ 

who despises a vile man but honours those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,

In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD and keep their promises even when it hurts.

despise the despicable. "Keep your word even when it costs you,

Who gives honour to those who have the fear of the Lord, turning away from him who has not the Lord’s approval. He who takes an oath against himself, and makes no change.

in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;

In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

He despises a reprobate, ¹  but honors the Lord’s loyal followers. ²  He makes firm commitments and does not renege on his promise. ³ 

¹ tn Heb “despised in his eyes [is] a rejected [one].” The Hebrew term נִמְאָס (nim’as, “rejected [one]”) apparently refers here to one who has been rejected by God because of his godless behavior. It stands in contrast to “those who fear God” in the following line.

² tn Heb “those who fear the Lord.” The one who fears the Lord respects his sovereignty and obeys his commandments. See Ps 128:1; Prov 14:2.

³ tn Heb “he takes an oath to do harm and does not change.” The phrase “to do harm” cannot mean “do harm to others,” for the preceding verse clearly characterizes this individual as one who does not harm others. In this context the phrase must refer to an oath to which a self-imprecation is attached. The godly individual takes his commitments to others so seriously he is willing to “swear to his own hurt.” For an example of such an oath, see Ruth 1:16-17.