Psalm 24

Ps 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

Ps 24:2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Ps 24:3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?

Ps 24:4 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.

Ps 24:5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Ps 24:6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

Ps 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Ps 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!

Ps 24:9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Ps 24:10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

It is really hard for me to actually read the Old Testament and attempt to understand it. I love the Old Testament, but sometimes it seems that the New Testament just offers more in the way of hope. However, logic tells me that this simply is not the case. The Old Testament provides as much hope as the New Testament. Both Testaments fit together to give us a complete picture of God and all of His glory. Praise God forever and ever!

Here is my attempt to offer my interpretation of Psalm 24. This offers us so much hope if we can only see it! It is telling us all about Jesus.

v. 1 This verse is stating all of God’s authority over creation. It says not only is the earth His, but everything in the earth, above the earth, and under the earth are His. The earth is not ours, but it is God’s, and He is allowing us to live here. We are not to take that lightly. We are to glorify God, and spread His word among the nations.

v. 2 He made this world as no one else could. Evolution cannot explain the creation of the world, no matter how hard people may try to tell you that. He and He alone has founded this world upon the seas. He established the world not just for one generation, but for generation after generation. The world will end when He chooses!

v. 3 This verse is asking who will be able to stand before a holy God. This is further explained is verse four.

v. 4 Only the people who have clean hands and a pure heart can stand before God. Can we stand like this by ourselves? No, because our heart is deceitfully wicked, and we were born into sin, so it must only be by the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that our sin is no more, that we are washed white as snow. We (saved ones) have been regenerated only through His sacrifice. It is only by this that we will be able to enter into His presence. There is nothing we can do to merit this.

We cannot accept the things of this world – all the stuff. We must let it all go. We must let ourselves go – we do not need self-esteem. We need to esteem the only One who is worthy of esteem, and that is God. We must lose ourselves in Him!

v. 5 God is the God of our salvation. If we let go, and repent, then God will save us – only through the sacrifice of His Son. Salvation is the work of God demonstrating the glory of God.

v. 6 I believe this to be speaking of the generation of ones who seek Him. We are to continually seek the face of God.

v. 7-10 I believe this to be referring to Jesus. We cannot enter through the gates and the ancient doors by ourselves, we are not worthy. Jesus is fully God become Man, and he was the first Man to pass through the ancient gates. Who was this King of glory? He was God. He was Man. He can enter the gates and sit at the right hand of the Father. He was the sacrifice for us, so that we one day may enter through the gates of Heaven and sit in the presence of God for eternity. Oh what a day that will be.

Jesus Christ has demonstrated His authority over the earth. He has demonstrated authority over His enemies, so that now He can enter through the gates and ancient doors. Praise God!

– Adam Smith