Psalm 24:3-4 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
The thought we read here is also found in Psalm 15:1-2. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
To “ascend into the hill of the LORD” indicates the worshipping of God. We might think of the question like this: “Who can worship God?” or “What is required of those who desire to worship God?”
Given the many ideas about worship (some false, some foolish, some very anemic) we need direction from God’s Word. If we are to worship God we must know and adhere to what He has given us in His Word.
Psalm 24:4 reveals to us what the person must be who seeks to truly and fully enter into the worship of the God who is Holy, Holy, Holy.
“He that hath clean hands.” If we are to worship God, we must be upright in all our life. The “hands” are the instruments by which we accomplish any work. Simply stated; the one who seeks to worship God cannot be engaged in sinful activity.
“He hath… a pure heart.” Not only is outward conformity to God’s law needful but the “heart” (the inward man) must be right before God. Outward conformity without inward purity is hypocrisy. God may be the only one who sees it but it is still hypocrisy and keeps man from worshipping God.
“Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity.” This refers to those who worship idols. To worship God fully, we must worship God only. The words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 apply here. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Not to seek God first in all things is to lift up one’s soul unto “vanity.”
“Nor sworn deceitfully.” God is the God of truth and those who worship Him must be truthful in all their dealings.
The joy and reward of learning to worship God is stated in verse 5. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.