Here is a Song of perfect love in practice. It is the I Corinthians 13 of the Old Testament. This is a pungent, pointed and practical Hymn of practical holiness. The Holy Bible is filled with the most important questions upon which the human mind may think or dwell. "For what shall it profit a man if shall he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" "What shall I do then with Jesus?" "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" (verse 1).
These are tremendously important questions. To whom shall we go for an answer? Shall we ask the President of the United States? or the Prime Minister of England? or the so called big Three's and Four's? or the D.D.'s and L.L.D's of the schools and colleges? "To whom shall we go?" The inspired and inspiring writer of the fifteenth psalm goes to the fountain head of all truth, knowledge and wisdom, to the only one who knows, to the one who is the truth as well as the life. "Lord, who shall abide. . . . who shall dwell?"
The answer is swift, full, final, satisfying, and sure.
(1) "He that walketh uprightly,"
(2) "and worketh righteousness,"
(3) "and speaketh the truth,"
(4) "and speaketh the truth in his heart,"
(5) "he that backbiteth not with his tongue,"
(6) "nor doeth evil to his neighbour,"
(7) "nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour," for the listener is as sinful as the speaker,
(8) "in whose eyes a vile person is contemned,"
(9) "but he honoureth them that fear the LORD."
(10) "He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not." He is a man of honour. He is a man of his word. His word is his bond
(11) "He that putteth not out his money to usury,"
(12) "nor taketh reward against the innocent."
Such shall never be moved. Such shall dwell and abide.