Psalm 24 Devotional – The King of Glory
APRIL 29 – PSALM 24
THE KING OF GLORY
In preparation for the entry of the great King of glory, the psalmist stated that those with clean hands and pure hearts may ascend to His holy place. A psalm of David, Psalm 24 is one of the royal psalms. The psalm describes the Lord’s entrance into the holy city.
Many think this psalm was written for the occasion of David’s taking the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:15), though this cannot be proven. If such were true, then the “ancient doors” (Ps. 24:7) refer to the old fortress that then received the ark, the symbol of the Lord’s presence. Or perhaps the psalm speaks of some other return to Jerusalem after a victory in battle.
This psalm is often linked with Psalms 22 and 23 for all three psalms speak prophetically of the Lord Jesus. Psalm 24 also has some affinities with Psalm 15 for both ask and answer the question of who is fit to come into the presence of the Lord. The answer in Psalm 15 focuses on a person’s righteousness; the answer in Psalm 24 focuses on the King of glory. Psalm 24 should also be read with Psalm 2 and 110 which share a focus on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to establish His kingdom on earth. This psalm has three movements: (1) praise to God the Creator and Sovereign of the world (vv. 1-2); (2) an inquiry concerning the appropriate approach to the holy Lord (vv. 3-6); (3) anticipation of the King of glory (vv. 7-10)
1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O 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, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah (ESV)
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- God is the Creator and Sovereign over everything
- No one is worthy to approach the Holy God, but thanks be to Christ for making us righteous that we can approach the Father
- The King of Glory is strong, mighty, and victorious
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