The Psalms are an expression of the spirituality of the faithful Israelites, those who "walk without fault and act with justice, speaking the truth from the heart." Such people may aspire to "dwell on God's holy mountain", which we may explain as meaning "living in intimacy with God."

The verses from Psalm 15 which we read today relate holiness closely with social justice. The only true social justice is the justice of God as it is practised by human beings in accordance with the Commandments which regulate all our human relationships according to the mind and heart of God and which lead to a share in the holiness of God.

St James reminds us that everything which is good and perfect, and so which leads us to holiness, "comes to us from above, from the Father of all light." The Commandments are among those good things which we receive from God's hands, for they enlighten us about the ways in which we can attain to the great joy of "dwelling on God's holy mountain", open to greater enjoyment of God's intimacy with us.