Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 15:2

"He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart;" — Psalms 15:2 (ASV)

He who walks uprightly - Hebrew, “walking perfectly;” that is, one who walks or lives “perfectly.” The word “walk” in the Scriptures is often used to denote the manner of life, life being represented as a journey (see the note at Psalm 1:1).

The word here rendered “uprightly,” or, in the Hebrew, “perfectly,” means that which is complete in all its parts, where no part is missing or is defective (see the word explained in the notes at Job 1:1).

This word is not used in the sense in which it is often employed now—as denoting absolute freedom from sin—but as meaning that the character was complete in all its parts, or that the person referred to was upright both in regard to God and to man (see the sentiment here expressed explained in the notes at Isaiah 33:15).

And works righteousness - Does right. That is, he does what is proper to do in relation to God and to man . The doctrine is everywhere laid down in the Scriptures that no one can be a friend of God who does not habitually do what is right (see 1 John 3:6–10).

And speaks the truth in his heart - He uses language that is sincere and that is in accordance with his real belief. This is opposed to all mere outward professions and all hypocritical pretences. His religion has its seat in the heart, and is not the religion of forms; his acts are the expressions of upright intentions and purposes, and are not performed for selfish and hypocritical ends. This is everywhere the nature of true religion.