Psalms — Chapter 24

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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.

1The earth is Jehovah`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 Jehovah? And who shall stand in his holy place?

4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully.

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

6This is the generation of them that seek after him, That seek thy face, [even] Jacob. Selah

7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in.

8Who is the King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle.

9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in.

10Who is this King of glory? Jehovah of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah Psalm 25 [A Psalm] of David.

1A psalm of David. The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it.

2For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents.

3Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?

4The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them.

5Such godly people are rewarded by the Lord, and vindicated by the God who delivers them.

6Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor, Jacob’s descendants, who pray to him. (Selah)

7Look up, you gates. Rise up, you eternal doors. Then the majestic king will enter.

8Who is this majestic king? The Lord who is strong and mighty. The Lord who is mighty in battle.

9Look up, you gates. Rise up, you eternal doors. Then the majestic king will enter.

10Who is this majestic king? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He is the majestic king. (Selah)

1The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.

2For he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods.

3Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place?

4He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.

5He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah.

7Lift up your heads, you gates! Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.

8Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.

9Lift up your heads, you gates; yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.

10Who is this King of glory? Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory! Selah.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A processional/enthronement psalm — 'The earth is the LORD's'; who may ascend His holy hill? The one with clean hands and a pure heart. 'Lift up your heads, O ye gates — the King of glory shall come in!'

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Entrance Liturgy / Hymn of Praise / Messianic Attributed Author: David — "A Psalm of David" Key Themes: God's universal ownership, entrance requirements for worship, the King of Glory entering His gates, God as warrior-king, the LORD of hosts
Historical Context: Psalm 24 completes the trilogy of Psalms 22-24 (Cross, Shepherd, Crown). It may have been composed for the Ark's procession into Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:12-15) — the dramatic moment when the Ark approached the gates of Zion. The psalm has a responsive/antiphonal structure suggesting liturgical use: one group asks "Who shall ascend?" (v.3); another answers (vv.4-5); a processional voice cries "Lift up your heads, O gates!" (v.7); gatekeepers respond "Who is this King of glory?" (v.8); and the answer thunders: "The LORD strong and mighty!" This is also prophetically applied to Christ's ascension and His future return in glory.
Structure:
  • God's Ownership of All Creation (vv.1-2)
  • Who May Approach God? (vv.3-6)
  • The King of Glory Enters (vv.7-10)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Everything belongs to God (v.1). You own nothing ultimately. Your possessions, your body, your time, your relationships — all belong to the Creator. This is not restrictive but liberating: if He owns it all, He is responsible for it all.
  • 2. Access to God requires integrity inside AND out (v.4). Clean hands (behavior) without a pure heart (motive) is hypocrisy. A pure heart without clean hands is self-deception. God requires both. Begin with the heart; the hands will follow.
  • 3. The King of glory requires expanded gates (v.7). He is too great for the doors as they are. Our conceptions of God must be continually expanded — "lift up your heads." Our categories are always too small for the God who comes.
  • 4. Three applications of the King's entry: (1) Historical — the Ark entering Jerusalem. (2) Heavenly — Christ ascending after resurrection. (3) Future — Christ returning in glory. In each case, the King comes to reclaim what is His.
  • 5. "Who is this King of glory?" (vv.8, 10). The question is answered with God's most martial title: LORD of hosts, mighty in battle. The King who comes is not a passive figurehead but a warrior who has won the decisive battle. He enters as conqueror.