Psalms 24:4

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully."

Key Reflection

This verse emphasizes integrity and honesty—clean hands symbolize righteous actions, while a pure heart represents sincerity of intent. Those who have not deceived with their words or actions are truly upright in the eyes of God.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

He that hath clean hands -In the parallel passage inPsalms 15:2, the answer to the question is, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness.” The sentiment is substantially the same there as in the passage before us. The meaning is, that he who would be recognized as a friend and worshipper of Yahweh must be an upright man; a person not living in the practice of iniquity, but striving always to do that which is right. The “hands” are the instruments by which we accomplish anything; and hence, to have clean hands is equivalent to being upright. SeeJob 17:9;Isaiah 1:15;Isaiah 59:3;Acts 2:23;Psalms 26:10.

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