Psalm 24

He reminds us that no people or nation has ever risen above its religion. Nor will anyone’s life ever rise about their thoughts about God. A high view of God will lead to high and holy living. On the other hand, a low view of God will lead to low living. No one can live any higher that his proper understanding of who God is.

In the late 1800s, British preacher Charles Spurgeon wrote:

The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doing, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.

We must have a proper view of God and who he is. But sadly, the glory of God has been diminished in our day. As our knowledge of God goes, so go our days. We need a fresh vision of the glory and holiness of God.

Turn to Psalm 24. A few weeks ago when we looked at Psalm 22 that it along with Psalms 23 and 24 are sometimes called the Shepherd Psalms. The words of Psalm 22 sound as if they were spoken by Jesus while hanging on the cross. The psalm speaks of a shepherd who dies for his sheep and it points us toward Jesus, the Good Shepherd. As Jesus told his disciples: SLIDE 2

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

In Psalm 23, we see the Great Shepherd who lives for his sheep. We read in Hebrews: SLIDE 3

20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, SLIDE 4 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

And Psalm 24, completes the trilogy of Shepherd Psalms by speaking of the Chief Shepherd who will return for his sheep. SLIDE 5

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:4)

SLIDE 6 This psalm speaks of a time yet to come, when Jesus will come for all sheep who have heard his voice and have followed him. It is a future glory that awaits all who belong to the Chief Shepherd. It is a future time when all the earth will know that the Shepherd is sovereign over all. As such, historically this psalm has been read in churches on the day we remember the ascension of Jesus, forty days after his resurrection.

All that’s written in this psalm about the psalm is that was written by David.

Of David. A psalm.

Jewish tradition says the psalm was written by David after the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem. The ark had been taken by the Philistines during the reign of Saul. The army had taken it into battle as a good luck piece, but God was not willing to participate in their game and allowed it to be taken. However, God would not allow the Philistines to keep the ark. You will remember the story of how they placed the ark in one of their temples like a trophy. When they returned the next day their idol was bowing down to the ark. When stuff like that continued, they quickly returned it. But, it had not been returned to the tabernacle. David sought to rectify that and many believe this psalm is about that great event.

I’ll discuss this more in a couple of weeks, but the psalm appears to be antiphonal. The people open with verses 1 and 2, a leader asks questions in verses 3, 8, and 10, and the people answer back in verses 4-6, 8 and 10. Like a responsive reading, the singing went back and forth between the leader and the people.

SLIDE 7 The psalm is easily broken into three sections:

The Creation of God,

The Holiness of God, and

The Glory of God

SLIDE 8 First, we’re told about the creation of God.

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. (Psalm 24:1-2)

Verse 1 tells us that everything in the world belongs to God. I don’t think I have to tell you what “everything” includes. It leaves out nothing. The world is his and so are all the people who have ever lived, are living, or will live. Have you ever thought that you belong to God? This is especially true of us who are Christians. Paul asked the Corinthians: SLIDE 9

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

The reason that the earth and all the people belong to God is found in verse 2 where we are reminded that it was God who created them. We should know this since it is the very first sentence in the Bible. SLIDE 10

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Paul declared this fact to the Colossians concerning Jesus when he wrote: SLIDE 11

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16)

Note that all things were made through him and for him. That includes the things we can see but also what we can’t see. It includes the things on earth and whatever is in heaven. It includes everything. They all belong to God. God explained this to the Israelites after he had brought them out of Egyptian slavery. SLIDE 12

Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. (Exodus 19:5, NLT)

I like how God explained it in Psalm 50. SLIDE 13

9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. SLIDE 14 11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. (Psalm 50:9-12)

SLIDE 15 Everything belongs to God, which means that we are only guests on his planet and stewards of what he gives us to enjoy. It doesn’t really belong to us, it belongs to God. Ultimately, everything we believe we own belongs to God. I have the title to my car. It has my name on it. But it belongs to God. You may have the title to your house showing you don’t owe anyone for it, but it belongs to God. The earth’s is the Lord’s and so are you. So, anything we give to God in our tithes was first given to us by God.

Not everyone recognizes this though. Not everyone acknowledges that God created the universe and even fewer acknowledge his ownership of it, but it is still true.

SLIDE 16 Next, we see the holiness of God.

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5 They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. (Psalm 24:3-6)

In light of the fact that God owns the earth and us, who has the right to stand before God? There are four parts to the answer.

First, the one who can come before God is the one who has clean hands. This refers to one’s outward actions.

Second, the one who can come before God is the one who has a pure heart. This refers to our character inward motives. It’s possible to do all the right things for the wrong reasons.

Third, the one who can come before God is the one who doesn’t trust in what is false. The NIV translates this as idols, as do other translations, but the Hebrew word means that which is empty, false, or worthless. I think this definition hits closer to home for us since we don’t have golden idols sitting around. We can however, put too much trust in things will never deliver. It’s not an insurance plan or a 401K that ensures our future, but God. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have insurance plans and 401Ks, but we are to place our trust in God alone.

And fourth, the one who can come before God is the one who doesn’t speak falsely. Again, the NIV refers to idols or false gods, but the Hebrew literally says “swears deceitfully.” That’s referring to someone who knowing tells a lie, especially to someone who would lie in a court after promising to tell the truth.

This describes the person who can enter into God’s presence. God is holy and so we must be holy. Do you know of anyone who meets these requirements? David didn’t live up to them. I don’t meet them. I try, but I know my heart. I cry out admitting like Paul in Romans 7 that the good things I want to do I just can’t do, and the bad things I don’t want to do I keep repeating. SLIDE 17

For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing. (Romans 7:19)

Thus Paul is left with this question we should all ask: SLIDE 18

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? (Romans 7:24)

Thankfully, Paul immediately gives us the answer. SLIDE 19

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:25a)

While we can never meet these requirements on our own, Jesus has done it for us. As the author of Hebrews instructed us: SLIDE 20

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus . . . SLIDE 21 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

SLIDE 22 We are told that those who come before the Lord receive his blessing and his vindication. God’s blessings are all the good things God has to offer us materially, but also emotionally and spiritually. In fact, we’re told that in Jesus, God has already given us those things. SLIDE 23

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

SLIDE 24 Vindication refers to the fact that God treats us being righteous as if we have kept all his laws. He treats us this way because of Jesus. The one who approaches God through repentance and faith in Christ will be declared righteous before God.

David compares those who approach God in this way to Jacob. Jacob certainly didn’t meet the standards of verse 4, but we’re told in Genesis 32 that he saw God face to face. Because of his faith, God saved him and even refers to himself as the God of Jacob.

SLIDE 25 Lastly, we see the glory of God.

7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you 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, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:7-10)

Remember, most believe this psalm to have been written by David shortly after the celebration of the ark being brought into Jerusalem. Therefore, these verses are seen as picturing the ark coming through the city gates. David calls on the worshipers of Jerusalem to prepare for worship. Even the gates of the city are called upon to prepare themselves for the triumphant entry of God. They were to stretch themselves open to make way and the doors – just another way to talk about the gates – were to be lifted up.

Twice we are asked, in verses 8 and 10, about the identity of this king. Who is this king of glory? David describes him as one who is strong and mighty, and unbeatable in battle. He is the one who defeats Israel’s enemies. For emphasis, the content of verses 7 and 8 are repeated in verses 9 and 10.

This psalm describes the worship we should give to God. It is a hymn of praise that directs the hearts of God’s people to worship him in a manner consistent with who God is. Charles Spurgeon wrote:

There should be some preparation of the heart in coming to the worship of God. Consider who he is in whose name we gather, and surely he cannot rush together without thought. Consider whom we profess to worship, and we shall not hurry into his presence as men run to a fire.

We should worship considering who we are and recognizing God’s glory.

In addition to celebrating the ark, this psalm is seen as prophetically describing the coming of the Messiah. Many point to a prophecy in Ezekiel as saying that the Messiah will enter Jerusalem through the eastern gate. What’s funny is what Muslims did years ago when they were in control of the city to try and prevent that prophecy from being fulfilled. SLIDE 26 First, they closed up the eastern gate so no one could enter through the gate. SLIDE 27 And second, they started a Muslim cemetery in front of the gate because Jews are not supposed to walk through cemeteries. The problem is they were too late. SLIDE 28 When Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey on what we remember as Psalm Sunday, it is very likely that he entered through the eastern gate.

I think it’s interesting as well that according to Jewish tradition; this psalm was used for worship on the first day of the week, which is on Sundays. That means this psalm could have been sung as Jesus entered Jerusalem that day. They were definitely calling Jesus “King” as he rode into the city.

SLIDE 29 We also see this psalm referring to Jesus second coming. And we know that when he returns neither the cemetery nor the closed gate will stop him. Jesus will do whatever he wants. Concerning this psalm and coming of Jesus, F.B. Meyer wrote:

This psalm is accomplished in us when Jesus enters our hearts as our King to reign, and it will have its final realization when the earth and its population welcome him as Lord.

SLIDE 30 If you’ve ever attended a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” will know that tradition says you have to stand during the last song, the Hallelujah chorus. There are differing opinions as to how the tradition started. However, all attribute it to King George II who stood during the chorus when it was first performed. Some say he stood because he was led to recognize the greatness of Christ, the true King, who rules over all. Since no one is allowed to sit in the king’s presence, everyone else stood as well. Others say there was a more practical reason for his standing, and this is what I was taught. History notes that the king had some health issues including gout, and that after sitting for so long he just needed to stand to relieve the pain.

The story is told that years later, after Queen Victoria ascended the throne, she went, as was the royal custom, to hear a special presentation of “Messiah.” While everyone was expected to stand during the Hallelujah chorus, as royalty she was expected to remain seated. However, when the chorus reached the part declaring Jesus to be the King of kings and Lord of lords, breaking all rules of etiquette, the queen stood with her head bowed. She felt compelled to rise as if she were taking off her own crown and laying it before the feet of God.

This is true worship, giving to God all that we are, our mind, emotions, and will. It is a recognition of the glory and holiness of God that needs to be revived in our day.

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