Psalms Reading – 1.23.2022
Psalm 24
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
This psalm tells of the Lord himself entering Jerusalem to take his rightful place on “the mountain of the Lord,” where “his holy place” stands. This psalm was, likely, composed for a processional into the city where the Lord’s kingship was celebrated. A possible occasion is when David had the ark of the covenant brought into Jerusalem and then danced before the Lord.
The temple was not yet built, but the soft-sided tabernacle still served as God’s house. In later years, entering the temple courts would have been in view. This psalm affirms Yahweh’s claim of ownership of all the earth based on his having established it on firm foundations (vv. 1–2). It then reviews who is worthy to ascend the mountain of the Lord (vv. 3–6). It ends with words that may have been shouted in the processional, praising the Lord as the King of glory (vv. 7–10).
The psalm asks, like Psalm 15, who may come into God’s presence to worship. The one with clean hands, a pure heart, and does not bow a knee to an idol. Humbling ourselves before the Lord and confessing our sin in preparation for gathering to worship is a good practice to adopt so that we can be a holy instrument of worship who seeks the Lord and receives His blessing.
Memory Verse:
Psalm 19:14, May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Question(s) to Consider:
How will you spiritually prepare yourself to worship with others in the holy presence of the Lord?