Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?

Psa 24:4  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

The Psalmist asks these questions: “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?” (Psa 24:3). They are important questions and they are questions many men today are still asking. The hill of the LORD and the holy place refer to the same place, the dwelling place of God, which is heaven. Men are forever asking the same question: “Who can go to heaven?”

The Psalmist gives the answer: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully” (Psa 24:4, ESV)

The answer is the same as given in Psalm 15:2. The psalms were written by a Hebrew to the Hebrews and hence, the question about faith is not an issue. The Psalmist was addressing to his own people.

From his answer, we see that the persons who shall stand in the palace of the living God are not distinguished by race, but by character; they are not only Jews, nor Gentiles only, nor any specific human race, but a people purified and who have made fit themselves to dwell in the holy hill of God.

Firstly, the person who can ascend to the hill of God must have clean hands. Our hands are the instruments by which we accomplish anything and make ourselves useful, and hence to have "clean hands" means to do honest and good things. But some use their hands to commit unrighteousness like stealing, fighting, committing murder and sexual acts; they can’t possibly dwell in the presence of God.

God wants His children to have holy hands; hands that do no evil. One of the conditions for men to lead in prayer is that they must have a pair of holy hands (1 Tim 2:8). It means he must be holy (1 Pet 1:15). A pair of clean hands means a life that is holy in the sight of God.

Secondly, the person who can ascend to the hill of God must have a pure heart. Not only the conduct must be upright, but the heart must also be pure. Our Lord says: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man” (Matt 15:19-20a). Solomon wrote: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Pro 23:7). What is in your heart?

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt 5:8). Only a pure heart can see God. Therefore, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Pro 4:23).

Thirdly, the person who can ascend to the hill of God must not have lifted up his soul to vanity. It means that he has not set his heart on vain things, or that which is false. Probably, the Psalmist is referring to the desire for the vain things of this life.

Solomon, in spite of having enjoyed all the good things of this life concluded at the end of his life: “All is vanity” (Eccl 1:2). The prodigal son learned it the hard way that wealth and pleasures are deceitful (Luke 15:14-19). Wealth, pleasures, status, and all the certificates that we have earned cannot bring us to heaven. The godly man knows it and seeks after godliness: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim 6:6-7).

Lastly, the person who can ascend to the hill of God does not sworn deceitfully. He is a truthful and honest person. It means that he will still keep his promise even if he finds out later that it is not beneficial to him.

God hates falsehoods and this includes those who preach lies. Paul describes false teachings as doctrines of devils (1 Tim 4:1). He pronounces anathema (accursed) to anyone who preaches falsehood (Gal 1:6-9). It shows how serious God views lies and any form of falsehoods. The destination of all liars is in the lake of fire that burns forever (Rev 21:8).

Let us check ourselves: Do we have cleans hands and pure hearts, hate vanities and are honest? God desires us to be like Him in holiness. Let us be holy as He is holy (1 Pet 1:15).

Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.