The idea here is, that he has not affirmed under the solemnities of an oath, that which was false and that he has not, under similar solemnities, promised what he has not performed. Nor sworn deceitfully - This is one form of that which had been just specified - his love of truth. He is in no sense 'carried away' with that which is unreal and false. He aims to secure that which is true and real. He has sought after substantial truth, alike in the object of worship, in that which he professes to believe, and in the statements and promises which he makes to others. The probable meaning is, that he has not set his heart on vain things, or that which is false. Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity - Unto that which is 'vain,' or which is 'false.' This expression might refer to one who had not devoted himself to the worship of an idol - regarded as vain, or as nothing 1 Corinthians 8:6 Isaiah 41:24 Psalm 115:4-8 or to one who had not embraced that which is false and vain in opinion or to one who had not sworn falsely, or taken the name of God in vain, Exodus 20:7. The great principle is here stated which enters always into true religion, that it does not consist in outward conformity to law, or to the mere performance of rites and ceremonies, or to external morality, but that it controls the heart, and produces purity of motive and of thought.

The margin here, as the Hebrew, is 'the clean of hands.'Īnd a pure heart - Not merely the one whose external conduct is upright, but whose heart is pure. The 'hands' are the instruments by which we accomplish anything and hence, to have clean hands is equivalent to being upright. 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. He that hath clean hands - In the parallel passage in Psalm 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. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, and hath not sworn deceitfully. He who has clean hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He who has clean hands and a true heart whose desire has not gone out to foolish things, who has not taken a false oath. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully.

He that has clean hands, and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Clean hands pure heart psalm