Perhaps there is a deeper meaning, similarly, perhaps there is a deeper meaning to the Rambam’s statement about nicknames, etc. Why take one at face value, and not the other?
Because, IMHO, it more sense to say that the Rambam is talking straight than to say that the absolute worst person in the world (a mass murderering kofer) could somehow get into Olam HaBah because he recited a Psalm three times a day.
That’s my opinion. You’re free to disagree, of course… but if so, then I think we just need to agree to disagree.
The Wolf