For You are not a God who approves of lawlessness. evil will not dwell with You.
David’s confidence is grounded in God’s holy nature. The Lord does not delight in lawlessness, and evil cannot be accepted to dwell in His presence. This does not mean that a sinful person cannot ask for mercy. On the contrary, the one who repents is invited to draw near to God. Yet sin cannot be presented as something acceptable or kept continually without turning back. God’s love never contradicts His holiness. He loves the sinner, yet condemns the evil that destroys a person. This verse calls the believer to draw near to God’s presence with an examined heart. We cannot ask for help in prayer and at the same time knowingly cherish what the Lord hates. Prayer not only comforts us, but also cleanses and corrects us. Through Christ we draw near to God with boldness, yet that grace does not encourage us to remain in sin. It calls us to repentance and holiness.