Who May Ascend The Hill Of The Lord?

The earth’s is the LORD’s and all the fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully 

– Psalm 24:1-4

 

This beautiful Psalm talks about who may come into the presence of the Lord. As Christian, the place we ought to always be is in the presence of the Lord, so I trust there is something valuable to learn in this Psalm.

 

A short background of the text will prove to be of great help, so let’s take a look. Here is a Psalm of David when the ark of God was transported into the tent pitched by David (1 Chronicles 15: 1-25). From this background, we can readily see that David was talking about coming into the presence of the Lord.

 

It is interesting to note that in the first two verses of this text, David talks about the Majesty of God. We can then say that whoever it is that may enter into God’s presence must have a sense of the Majesty of God. One ought to come in with uttermost reverence and humility because we come before the King of all kings and Lord of all Lords. Oh, how sad that we have lost the sense of His Majesty in this dispensation that we live. We come as we want, do whatever we want, and leave however we please from His glorious presence. God, please have mercy on us and open our eyes to see Your Majesty so that we may revere You. (Isaiah 6:1-5)

 

Once the writer grasped the sense of the Majesty of God, he then moves on further to describe who it is that may ascend into the Hill of the Lord. 

 

First, he says, is one that has clean hands and a pure heart. A person with a clean hand has not committed to the sins of this world/flesh, and a person with a pure heart is one whose heart is set only on the things above (Colossians 3:1-2; James 4:8).

 

Secondly, he says, is the one who has not lifted his soul to an idol. Such persons do not set their affections upon things of this world. In the language of Paul, they are ready to count it all lost because of the surpassing worth of the knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:10). I believe Isaac Watts beautifully puts this in the hymn “When I survey the Wondrous cross.”

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride

 

Where the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

 

Lastly, he says, is the one that has not sworn deceitfully. Such persons remain faithful to their dedication to the Lord by His grace He bestows on them, and they seek not to break that dedication.

 

Are you qualified to ascend into the Hill of the Lord? If your answer is yes, glory to God, and I pray the Lord will continually give you the grace to dwell in His presence. If you say no, I have good news for you. There is He that has already prepared the way for you to ascend into the Hill and dwell there. He can likewise prepare you to ascend the Hill. His name is JESUS (John 14:6). All you have to do is set your gaze upon Him, and He will take care of the rest (Hebrews 12:2). Blessed hope!!