David
Psalm 24
A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
1The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
Summary
Psalm 24 is a processional hymn that declares the LORD’s ownership of all creation and welcomes the King of glory into His holy place. The psalm opens with a sweeping claim: the earth and everything in it belong to the LORD, who founded it upon the seas. The middle section asks who may ascend the hill of the LORD and answers with moral and spiritual conditions—clean hands, a pure heart, truthfulness, and humility. The closing verses are a liturgy of entry, calling the ancient gates to lift up their heads so the King of glory, the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD of hosts, may come in.
The major themes are God’s sovereignty, holiness, worship, and the kingship of the LORD. The New Testament applies the psalm to Christ’s ascension. Practically, the psalm teaches that the whole world belongs to God and that entering His presence requires a life shaped by integrity and grace. The great lesson is that the King of glory invites His people to prepare themselves to welcome Him.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 24
LORD, the earth is Yours and everything in it; I am Yours, for You made me. Who shall ascend Your hill? Give me clean hands and a pure heart. Keep me from lifting my soul to vanity or swearing deceitfully. Let me receive the blessing from You and righteousness from the God of my salvation. Make me one of the generation that seeks Your face. Lift up the gates of my heart, O everlasting doors, that the King of glory may come in. You are the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD of hosts, the King of glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1What does it mean for my daily life that "the earth is the LORD’s"?
- 2Which of the conditions in verse 4—clean hands, pure heart, truthfulness—most needs my attention?
- 3How does the image of gates lifting their heads shape my understanding of worship?
- 4How might this psalm point to Christ’s ascension and His return?
Related Psalms
Psalm 23
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Read morePsalm 46
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Read morePsalm 68
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Read morePsalm 96
“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.”
A missionary hymn calling all nations to ascribe glory to the Lord as King.
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