To be poor in spirit is to be pure at heart; to be humble in the realization that one is sinful and needs Jesus. For one to live from internal to external as a spiritual person. The expression, the poor in spirit, intends truly humble in perception; those who intentionally become aware of their spiritual poverty, of their ignorance and sinfulness, their guilt, depravity, and weakness, their frailty and mortality; and who, therefore, whatever their outward situation in life may be, however affluent and exalted, think meanly of themselves, and neither desire the praise of men, nor covet high things in the world, but are content with the lot God assigns them, however low and poor. Their humility renders them teachable, submissive, resigned, patient, contented, and cheerful in all estates; and it enables them to receive prosperity or adversity, health or sickness, ease or pain, life or death, with an equal mind. Being thankful in all conditions. Whatever life allots them, they consider as a grace or favour from God. They are happy, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven — The present, inward kingdom, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, as well as the eternal kingdom, if they endure to the end. The knowledge which they have of themselves, and their humiliation of soul before God, prepare them for the reception of Christ, to dwell and reign in their hearts, and all the other blessings of the gospel; the blessings both of grace and glory. They die to self and exalt Christ – Galatians 2:20. Psalm 24 also puts “pure heart” into a category beyond us “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:3-5). A pure heart is the qualification for man to ascend to the Most Holy Place – to receive the Father’s blessings and righteousness. Psalm 24 teaches this crucial link between purity and perception. Purity gets you proximity to God and therefore true perception.