Background to the Psalm:

The psalm is attributed to David and the subject of the psalm appears to be the setting up of the Tabernacle on Mount Zion after David’s second and successful attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6).  As the Ark symbolised the very presence of God to the Israelites, not only was this a momentous occasion, but it also raised questions about how the worshippers were to approach God.  So that’s the question that the psalm sets out to deal with.  It is also a question that’s very important to us in this day and age. How can we best prepare ourselves so that we can have true and deep fellowship with the Lord when we come to worship?

Just a note of caution before we take a closer look at the psalm. The psalm typifies Old Testament righteousness. An example of this would be Job who was seen as blameless (Job 1:1) which would mean that people would have looked at Job and would have seen no obvious moral defect.  So obviously this psalm needs to be taken in the wider context of scripture least we succumb to a legalistic righteousness rather than what is gained through Christ work (2 Corinthians 5:21).  As Craig C. Broyles notes the Psalm: ‘is not to be used as a checklist of qualifications; rather it is to be endorsed as Yahweh’s “torah” and embraced as the seeker’s ambition.’[1]

Outline of the Psalm: 

Ø  Who may approach God: question (v1).

Ø  Who may approach God: answer (vs2-5a).

Ø  The benefits of approaching God correctly (v5b).

Some Observations on the Text (All Quotations ESV):

As is not uncommon in certain psalms the psalm starts with two rhetorical questions which are closely related to each other (v1). The word ‘tent’ immediately alerts us that this is the Tabernacle, particularly when it’s linked with the phrase: ‘your holy hill’ which can only mean Mount Zion in Jerusalem in this context. The question concerning these two places is a very simple one concerning who can approach the Lord and have meaningful fellowship with him. Rather interestingly, the questioner makes it clear that this is an act of pilgrimage as a literal translation would be: ‘who can camp’ which shows that the psalmist: ‘is inquiring not about taking up permanent residence as a priest or Levite’[2] but rather an act of pilgrimage.

Verse 2 highlights outward and inward attributes as the start of the answer to the question in verse 1.  Firstly, it lists the quality of blamelessness. But this is no outward show of righteousness as it is coupled with the phrase: ‘and speaks the truth in his heart.’ This signifies that the outward attribute of blamelessness is found in an inward desire which seeks to please the Lord.  This indicates that integrity in our actions is essential if our worship is to be of any value at all!  In fact, Derek Kidner notes that: ‘The word blamelessly is a little negative for the Hebrew, which implies what is whole, or whole-hearted, and sound.’[3]

Not surprisingly, as well as positive actions to be embraced, there are negative actions to be avoided. The tone of verse 3 once again shows that these actions can be both outward and inward in their attitude.  The act of slandering someone is undoubtedly an outward action, but the intent to do that in the first place originates in a person’s heart.  So, the psalmist’s intention is clear, the appearance of tolerable morality is not enough when we come to worship. After all, the Lord looks on the heart of the worshipper and sees its true state!

Yet, as verse 4 makes clear, unless our heart is right with God our outward actions will not measure up to a standard acceptable for worship.  Our attitude to things that displease the Lord gives a clear indication what our spiritual state truly is. We are to: ‘despise’ evil, yet we ought to honour: ‘those who fear the Lord.’ We are to seek to do good, even if that comes at a cost to us!  That theme is carried on, to some extent, in verse 5. Once again this is a picture of doing good and not taking advantage of those who are vulnerable. Once again, the emphasis is on denying oneself, as it was at the end of verse 4.

The Psalm ends on a positive note with the words: ‘He who does these things shall never be moved.’ Although this Psalm starts with the emphasis on pilgrimage, this concluding phrase suggests an ongoing fellowship with the Lord well after the physical pilgrimage has come to an end. This acts as a reminder that worship is something that continues outside the Church doors once the service has ended. Our day to day attitude and interaction with people is as much our worship as when we enter the Church on a Sunday. As John Calvin summarises: ‘This psalm teaches us that for God’s chosen ones among whom he dwells, there is the inescapable obligation to be a holy people, living just and upright lives.’[4]

[1] Craig C. Broyles, Psalms, New International Biblical Commentary (Massachusetts, Hendrickson publishers, Inc, 1999) 93.
[2] Broyles, Psalms, 91.
[3] Derek Kidner, Psalms 1-72, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Leicester, Inter-Varsity Press, 1973) 81.
[4] John Calvin abridged by David C Searle, Commentary on the Psalms (Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009) 65.