Friday, October 30, 2020

Psalm 24

 

1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah

     Psalm 24 (NKJV)

 This psalm opens with the glory of God as Creator and Ruler of all. In light of His majesty and power, lowly man is wise to consider who can stand in God Almighty’s presence? Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart (also a New Testament requirement, see James 4:8). Yet we can’t measure up on our own.  Because of our sinfulness, we can never meet God’s holy standard. But when we trust in Christ as Savior, we are cleansed from our sin and clothed in His righteousness. Then we are accepted by God and receive His blessing.

 Tradition has it that this psalm marks the occasion when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem by David (see 2 Samuel 6:1-19). What a time of rejoicing that was because the Ark represented God’s presence to the Jews.  It’s as if the gates and doors of the city are personified as witnessing this grand event (vs. 7, 9) and lifting up praise as the King of glory comes in. And who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle (v. 8).  He is the Captain of all the angelic armies and all the hosts of heaven (see Gen. 2:1, Luke 2:13). 

 Twice in this psalm (vs. 6, 10) we are exhorted to “Selah,” meaning take time to meditate on the truths here.  Let us ponder our great God Almighty and bow before Him.

 

“Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts, eternal King,

By the heavens and earth adored; angels and archangels sing,

Chanting everlastingly to the blessed Trinity.

Since by Thee were all things made, and in Thee do all things live,

Be in Thee all honor paid; praise to Thee may all things give,

Singing everlastingly to the blessed Trinity.”

(Christopher Worsdworth, 1807-1885)

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