I love experiencing communion — The Lord’s Supper, Eucharist — as a celebration of God’s mercy and grace. But I have to admit I am challenged when Paul warns us to examine ourselves before we eat the bread and drink the cup (1 Corinthians 11:28). I’m better at looking at God at communion than looking at myself. Maybe that is why we have Psalm 15.

A psalm of David.

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart

and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,

who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Psalm 15 is an invitation to a comprehensive self-examination:

Is my walk blameless?
God, when have I been inconsistent lately?  Where have I not been totally forthcoming or completely honest?

Am I doing what is righteous?
God, do my friends and colleagues see me do good works that come from a pure motive?

Do I speak the truth from my heart?
God, have I avoided saying what needed to be said?  Have I been overreaching and said things that overstated the case?

Is there slander on my tongue?
Have I spoken falsely and damaged another person in my family, my company, my community, my industry?

Have I done wrong to my neighbor?
Would my dealings with anyone make them surprised to hear that I am a follower of Christ?

Have I slurred another human being?
Have I sought to increase my power through insinuations and innuendo against others?

Do I despise those who are vile and honor those who fear God?
Where have I failed to speak up and thank another believer for their actions and character? Have I harbored envy or admiration toward people and companies that are morally bankrupt?

Have I kept my word even when it hurt?
God, show me when I have made a promise and then gone back on the deal.

Have I practiced usury?
God, show me my selfish heart. Do I receive unfair advantage from abusive lending or pricing structures?

Has money bought my silence while the innocent are harmed?
Father, have I promoted deals that harm the innocent — or simply looked the other way —  because I valued profit above principle?

The psalm concludes that anyone who can pass these tests will never be shaken — which, of course, and unfortunately, means no one.

For ancient Jews who wanted to worship Yahweh, these requirements would have confirmed their need for a sacrifice in order to approach God. Christians like me believe God has granted us his very own righteousness through the once for all sacrifice of Jesus: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

And that is where I am convinced God’s goodness meets human need.