Lord, who will dwell in Your tent, and who will live on Your holy mountain?
The psalm opens with an important question: who can dwell in God’s presence? The “tabernacle” and the “holy mountain” are images of God’s presence and holiness. David is not asking only who can physically enter a place of worship, but what kind of life fits communion with God. The question emphasizes that one cannot draw near to the Lord’s presence with indifference, without considering one’s own life and conduct. The following verses describe the character and way of the person who desires to live according to God’s will. Yet this does not mean that a person earns God’s presence by personal moral perfection. By the whole testimony of Scripture, drawing near to God is possible by His grace, and a righteous life is the fruit of a heart renewed by that grace. In the New Covenant, the believer draws near to God with boldness through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19–22). Therefore, this question leads a person not to self-justification, but to sincere self-examination: whether his daily life matches the God whom he worships.