Psalms 24:1-10: a reflection

1The earth is the LORD’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell in it. 2For he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods. 3Who may ascend to the LORD’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah. 7Lift up your heads, you gates! Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in. 8Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, you gates; yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in. 10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of Armies is the King of glory! Selah.

This psalm begins by declaring that the earth is the LORD's, and all that fills it, for he made it. Then it asks a searching question: Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? And it answers: the one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to what is false. To come into the presence of the holy God requires more than outward form; it requires clean hands and a pure heart.

Notice what the psalm says is needed to draw near to God: clean hands and a pure heart. Not merely outward religious acts, but clean hands, right conduct, and a pure heart, inward integrity, a heart not given over to falsehood. To stand in God's holy place is no light thing; it calls for purity of both action and heart. The psalm holds up the standard of what it means to approach the holy God.

That standard is one we cannot fully meet on our own, and it drives us to seek the cleansing God provides. For who among us has perfectly clean hands and a wholly pure heart? The standard shows us our need; and the good news is that God gives, in Christ, the cleansing of hands and heart that we cannot achieve ourselves, so that we may draw near. Do not treat coming into God's presence as a light or careless thing; it calls for clean hands and a pure heart. But do not despair at the standard either; seek from God the cleansing you need, the washing of your hands and the purifying of your heart that he gives in Christ, so that you may ascend his hill and stand in his holy place, made clean by him.

Lord, this psalm declares that the earth is yours, and asks who may ascend your hill and stand in your holy place; and it answers, the one with clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to what is false. Show me that to draw near to you calls for more than outward form; it calls for clean hands, right conduct, and a pure heart, inward integrity not given over to falsehood. Yet who among us has perfectly clean hands and a wholly pure heart? The standard shows me my need; and thank you that you give, in Christ, the cleansing of hands and heart that I cannot achieve myself, so that I may draw near. Keep me from treating coming into your presence as a light or careless thing; it calls for clean hands and a pure heart. But keep me from despairing at the standard too; help me seek from you the cleansing I need, the washing of my hands and the purifying of my heart that you give in Christ, so that I may ascend your hill and stand in your holy place, made clean by you. Cleanse my hands and my heart, Lord.