Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?
David asks this very important question to God: Lord, who will stay in your house (tabernacle)? Who will live on your holy hill? The presence of God dwelt temporarily in the tabernacle and the holy hill speaks of God’s permanent dwelling. It is a question of who can be in God’s presence now and thereafter. Notice the word “sacred” and “holy;” it is a place of reverence and solemnity. It is not a place to be trod with improper attitude or negligence. God is holy: a unique Being unlike any human or angelic creature. He is set apart from all his creation. In simple sense, God is perfect. Therefore, even in the life now, humans trembles and finds incapable of coming into His holy presence without being cleansed and made righteous.
As the Psalmist asks this question, the answer came to him in the next verses in the form of qualities that a person needs to possess: One must be blameless (morally upright, honest (no place for hypocrisy) and without spot), do what is righteous (justice in laws and ethically maintaining right conduct), speaks the truth from their heart (being reliable and trustworthy), honours(be rich towards or promote) those who fear God, keeps an oath (including rash oaths (Lev. 5:4) even when it hurts (literally by breaking to pieces), and one who lends money to the poor without interest. There are also qualities that a person needs to refrain from, if he wants to be in God’s presence: the tongue must not utter any slander (false and damaging statements), should not do wrong to a neighbour, casts no slur (demean or insult) on others, despises a vile person (hating the work of an evil doer), does not change their mind (keeping one’s promise) and not accept a bribe against the innocent. The bottom line gives the fact that the one who does all these things will not drift away from God’s presence and His holy dwelling place.
These were the 10 qualities that God requires for all those who desire to be in His dwelling place. It also corresponds to the Decalogue given in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. God once again reminds the believers of the importance of putting those 10 commandments into their daily living so that they will be blessed and gain access into the throne room of God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to obey and apply your revealed laws and commands given in the Bible, amen.
