Prepare to Praise the King of Glory

This is another amazing psalm, even though it is little known.  Kraus titles it: “The Entry of Yahweh, the King of the World.”  That is rather well said.

My study will concentrate on the theme of right worship and I will probably end up agreeing with Allen P. Ross (I am still studying the psalm) in his excellent commentary on the Psalms.

According to Ross, the “expository idea that best expresses the message of the psalm would be something like this: Those who assemble to praise the sovereign LORD of creation for his mighty and glorious acts of deliverance must be pure in thought and deed (if they are to find God’s favor and vindication). 

Here is the introduction and division as found in the ESV Study Bible:

Psalm 24. This psalm seems fitted for some liturgical occasion, perhaps one that celebrates the way that David brought the ark of the Lord into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6); this would explain the interest in God’s presence in Ps. 24:3–6, and the address to the gates in vv. 7–10. The psalm asserts the astounding idea that the God who created and owns everything is the very same God into whose presence the faithful worshiper enters because of the covenant with Israel. Such is the privilege of being Israel, and such too defines their mission, namely, to bring God’s fame to all his creation, and especially to all mankind.

Ps. 24:1–2 The Lord Is Creator and Owner of All. 

 Ps. 24:3–6 Who Receives Blessing from Him? 

 Ps. 24:7–10 Lift Up Your Heads, O Gates! Readers may imagine this as the call and response before the gates of Jerusalem: in v. 7 the procession bearing the ark announces God’s presence in the ark, seeking entry into his sanctuary; Who is this King of glory? (v. 8a) is the reply, asking for further identification. The procession then says who the Lord is (The Lord, strong and mighty, theLord, mighty in battle!), and then repeats the request for entry (v. 9). Again the doorkeepers reply, asking for identification (v. 10a), and again the procession identifies the Lord (v. 10b).

Ponder and pray with me over the following questions:

1)     How are the sections in this psalm connected?

2)     Do you recognize the sovereign reign of God over your life and all creation?

3)     What are the proper steps to take when approaching God?

4)     Can this psalm be interpreted Christologically? How?

5)     Note that this psalm is usually understood in connection with psalms 22 (The King in Suffering = past) and 23 (The King in Life = present).  In psalm 24 we find the King in Glory = future.  Do you agree with this interpretation/insight?

Teaching pastor,

Cristian R