Psalm 24 (NKJV)
A Psalm of David.
1 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, penned by David, is a triumphant song that likely celebrated the Ark of the Covenant’s arrival in Jerusalem around 1000 BC, as described in 2 Samuel 6:12, “So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness” (NKJV). This event marked a pivotal moment when Jerusalem became Israel’s spiritual heart, with the Ark symbolizing God’s presence. David, a warrior-king who faced constant threats from enemies like the Philistines and internal strife, wrote this psalm to proclaim God’s supreme authority and to rally the people in worship. The imagery of gates lifting for the “King of glory” suggests a grand procession, possibly sung as the Ark entered the city, reflecting both joy and reverence. This historical setting grounds the psalm in a moment of communal celebration, yet its truths speak to every generation.
The psalm opens with a universal declaration: “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1 NKJV). This reminds us that everything belongs to God, a humbling truth that calls us to stewardship, not ownership, of our lives and resources. It echoes Psalm 50:10, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills” (NKJV), reinforcing God’s dominion. The question, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?” (Psalm 24:3 NKJV), answered by “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:4 NKJV), sets a standard of holiness for approaching God. This mirrors Psalm 15:1-2, “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart” (NKJV). For all people, this is a call to live with integrity, reject falsehood, and pursue sincerity—wisdom that transcends culture and time, urging us to align our actions and hearts with God’s truth.
Psalm 24 radiates with Messianic hope, pointing to Jesus as the King of Glory. The triumphant cry, “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in” (Psalm 24:7, 9 NKJV), foreshadows Christ’s ascension and return. Acts 1:9-11 describes His ascent: “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’” (NKJV). Revelation 19:11-13, 16 further portrays His return: “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God… And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (NKJV). The psalm’s depiction of the King as “strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle” (Psalm 24:8 NKJV) reflects Jesus’ victory over sin and death, making Him the ultimate fulfillment of this glorious figure.
The psalm’s call to purity and seeking God also resonates with Jesus’ teachings, particularly in His parables. The requirement of “clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:4 NKJV) aligns with the Beatitudes, where Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8 NKJV). This purity is not perfection but a heart devoted to God, a theme echoed in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23), where Jesus describes seed falling on good soil: “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:23 NKJV). Just as the psalm calls for a generation that seeks God’s face (Psalm 24:6), the Parable of the Sower emphasizes hearts open to God’s truth, producing a fruitful life. Similarly, the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) underscores readiness for the King’s arrival, paralleling the psalm’s call to prepare for the King of Glory: “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’” (Matthew 25:6 NKJV). These parables reinforce the psalm’s invitation to live with vigilance and devotion, ready to welcome Christ.
Psalm 24 is a timeless call to recognize God’s sovereignty and pursue holiness in His presence. Its message—that God owns all, that purity opens the way to Him, and that the King of Glory reigns supreme—speaks to every heart. Whether we face modern battles or personal struggles, the psalm urges us to seek God with sincerity, trusting His righteousness to guide us. In Jesus, these truths come alive: He is the King who enters triumphantly, the one who purifies our hearts and invites us into God’s presence. Through His life and teachings, especially in parables like the Sower and the Ten Virgins, we see the path to a life that honors the King of Glory, ready for His return.