Psalm 24:3 kjv
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
Psalm 24:3 nkjv
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?
Psalm 24:3 niv
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?
Psalm 24:3 esv
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
Psalm 24:3 nlt
Who may climb the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
Psalm 24 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:27 | "Behold, I have undertaken... I am but dust and ashes." | Abraham's humility before God. |
| Ex 19:10-11 | "Sanctify them... Be ready for the third day." | Preparation for divine encounter at Sinai. |
| Lev 10:10 | "...that you may distinguish between holy and common..." | Importance of distinguishing sacred space and conduct. |
| Ps 15:1-5 | "O Lord, who may sojourn in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?" | A parallel Psalm explicitly listing moral qualifications. |
| Ps 65:4 | "Blessed is the one You choose and bring near..." | God's initiative in bringing one near for blessing. |
| Ps 118:20 | "This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it." | The gate to God's presence for the righteous. |
| Isa 1:16-17 | "Wash yourselves... cease to do evil; learn to do good..." | Moral purification as a prerequisite for acceptable worship. |
| Isa 33:15-16 | "He who walks righteously... he will dwell on the heights..." | Characteristics of those who dwell in God's presence. |
| Jer 7:9-10 | "...steal, murder, commit adultery... then come and stand before Me..." | Rebuke against superficial worship without true repentance. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good..." | Summarizes God's requirement for righteousness. |
| Zech 14:20-21 | "...Holiness to the Lord... no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord..." | Future universal holiness and purity in worship. |
| Matt 5:8 | "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." | New Covenant emphasis on inner purity for spiritual sight. |
| Eph 2:18 | "For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." | Access to God in the New Testament is through Christ. |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace..." | Encouragement to approach God's presence through Christ. |
| Heb 10:19-22 | "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus..." | Bold access to God through Christ's sacrifice. |
| Heb 12:14 | "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." | Holiness as essential for seeing God. |
| Heb 12:22-24 | "But you have come to Mount Zion... the city of the living God..." | Access to the heavenly reality of Mount Zion. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct..." | Command to imitate God's holiness. |
| 1 John 3:3 | "And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." | Those who hope in Christ purify themselves. |
| Rev 21:27 | "But nothing unclean will ever enter it..." | Exclusion of all impurity from the New Jerusalem. |
Psalm 24 verses
Psalm 24 3 Meaning
Psalm 24:3 poses a fundamental question regarding who is qualified to enter the Lord's presence and sacred space. It is an inquiry into the spiritual and moral prerequisites for worship and intimate fellowship with the Almighty. This verse serves as a rhetorical gate, demanding not merely physical proximity to the sanctuary but an inner purity and righteous conduct that alone grant access to the Most High. It implies that only those who meet specific divine standards can truly approach and abide in God's holy dwelling.
Psalm 24 3 Context
Psalm 24 begins with a declaration of God's universal sovereignty as Creator and Sustainer of the earth (vv. 1-2). This foundational truth sets the stage for the central question posed in verse 3: if the whole earth belongs to the Lord, who then is worthy to approach His special dwelling place, specifically Mount Zion and the Temple in Jerusalem? This verse acts as a bridge between the cosmic majesty of God and the personal moral requirements for encountering Him. It reflects an entrance liturgy, likely associated with processional worshipers ascending to the Temple, such as for major festivals or possibly the re-entry of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem as described in 2 Samuel 6. The question anticipates the answer provided in the subsequent verse (v. 4), highlighting that physical location is secondary to spiritual purity.
Psalm 24 3 Word analysis
- Who (מִי - mi): This interrogative pronoun immediately establishes the verse as a question of identity and qualification. It points to a deep spiritual concern: not everyone is permitted or equipped to enter. It challenges superficial or casual approaches to God's presence.
- shall ascend (יַעֲלֶה - ya'aleh): Derived from the verb 'alah' (עָלָה), meaning "to go up, ascend." This term specifically refers to a deliberate upward movement, implying effort and intention. It highlights the physical act of climbing Mount Zion to the Temple, but simultaneously symbolizes a spiritual ascent, a seeking of God from a lower, common level to a higher, holy one. This act requires dedication and purpose.
- the hill of the Lord (הַר־יְהוָה - har YHWH): "Har" means "mountain" or "hill." "YHWH" is the personal, covenant name of God, indicating His ownership. This phrase refers specifically to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Temple, God's earthly dwelling, stood. It is not just any hill but the consecrated site chosen by God for His presence. It signifies a unique, sacred geographical location that became synonymous with God's dwelling place.
- And who (וּמִי - u'mi): The repetition of "who," prefaced by "and," serves to intensify the question, creating a parallel structure and emphasizing the solemnity and critical nature of the inquiry. It broadens the scope from merely ascending to the deeper meaning of truly belonging in God's presence.
- shall stand (יָקוּם - yakum): Derived from the verb 'qum' (קוּם), meaning "to rise, stand up, endure, be established." This signifies more than just a fleeting visit; it implies stability, continued presence, and an enduring state of acceptance. It suggests not only arrival but the right and capacity to remain in God's holy place without being cast out or consumed by His holiness.
- in His holy place (בִּמְקוֹם קָדְשׁוֹ - bimqom qodesho): "Bimqom" means "in the place of," and "qodesho" means "His holiness" or "His sanctuary." This is a precise reference to the Temple sanctuary, specifically the areas within it that were consecrated to God and set apart from common use. It underscores the sanctity and separateness of God's dwelling, where His absolute purity resides. To enter implies becoming consonant with that holiness.
Psalm 24 3 Bonus section
The question in Psalm 24:3 highlights a consistent theme throughout the Bible: the radical otherness of God's holiness and the necessary preparation for humans to approach Him. In the Old Testament, this often involved ritual purification and specific ethical standards (as seen in Leviticus and many Psalms). The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate answer to these questions. He is the one who, by His perfect life and atoning sacrifice, both perfectly ascended to the "hill of the Lord" (heavenly Mount Zion) and forever stands "in His holy place" (at the right hand of the Father). Through faith in Him, believers are purified and given boldness to "ascend" in spirit and "stand" in God's presence, not by their own merit, but by His imputed righteousness and access through His Spirit. Thus, this verse finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual depth in the person and work of Christ, shifting the focus from human performance to divine provision.
Psalm 24 3 Commentary
Psalm 24:3 acts as an essential gateway question within the worship liturgy of ancient Israel, setting the stage for a spiritual examination. It challenges any notion that mere physical presence or participation in ritual automatically grants acceptance by God. The "hill of the Lord" and "His holy place" symbolize the closest possible proximity to the Divine presence. The twin questions – "who shall ascend" and "who shall stand" – underscore both the necessary pilgrimage or effort to draw near, and the requirement for enduring purity that allows one to remain without judgment. This verse emphatically conveys that access to God is neither universal nor automatic, but predicated on an inward transformation that aligns with His holiness. It is not about what one brings, but who one is, highlighting a deep, inherent incompatibility between divine holiness and human unrighteousness.
Examples for practical usage:
- Before worship or prayer, individuals might reflect on their heart's posture.
- Congregations could use this verse as a call to spiritual readiness.
- It serves as a reminder that Christian living involves striving for holiness as a means to draw near to God.