What does Psalm 24:3 mean?

David asks a basic question about approaching God. He ponders who can climb the hill to worship in the tabernacle and who can enter the Lord's presence. Because God is holy and man is sinful, no one in his natural state can worship God acceptably or enter His presence (Exodus 33:20).

The Samaritan woman, with whom Jesus conversed at Jacob's well, believed worship involved a special place. She told Jesus, "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain" (John 4:20). But Jesus assured her that true worship is not about a place but about the condition of the heart. He pointed out that worshipers must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Many religious people believe they cannot truly worship without being in church, surrounded by religious symbols. Or they feel they must repeat certain religious prayers or follow prescribed rituals. David's question, therefore, carries relevance for people today as well as for his original readers.