Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 15:5

"He that putteth not out his money to interest, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved." — Psalms 15:5 (ASV)

Usury was not forbidden in legitimate commercial dealings with foreigners (Deuteronomy 23:20); and the laws against it seem to have referred exclusively to dealings among the Israelites themselves and were evidently enacted more for the protection of the poor than because the idea of usury in itself was considered wrong (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36). Thus, the context here plainly seems to limit the sin of usury to an unjust application of the principle, especially when connected with bribery.

Against “biting” usury (the Hebrew word primarily means “bite”), all governments find it necessary to legislate, as we see with modern money-lenders. However, neither general Hebrew sentiment (as their entire history demonstrates) nor the more discerning minds among them (as seen in our Lord’s parable of the talents) were opposed to the employment of capital lent at interest for legitimate trade purposes. The best illustrations of the invectives of prophets and psalmists against extortionate usurers are found in Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice.