The Book of Psalms
Psalm 24
Psalm XXIV · Vol. II, pp. 1000–1001
1 God's sovereignty over the whole world. 3 The citizens of his spiritual kingdom. 7 The solemn entrance of the Lord into his sanctuary.
A psalm of David.
1 The eartha is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.1
B.C. cir. 1045.
a Ex.9.29; 19.5. De.10.14. Job 41.11. Ps.50.10-12. 1 Co.10.26,28.
1 David seems to have written this psalm as a part of that public and solemn service of praise rendered to the Lord on the occasion of the ark being carried into the new tabernacle which he had prepared for it on Mount Zion, 2 Sa.6.12-17. The latter part of the psalm is arranged for being chanted by two choirs, the one carrying the ark, the other standing at the gates of Zion. The conception is sublime, and the language corresponds.—P.
4 Hed that hath clean hands,2 and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
d Is.33.15-17. 1 Ti.2.8. Ps.25.1; 143.8; xv. Mat.5.8. Ac.15.9. De.4.14-16. Re.14.1,4.
2 Heb. The clean of hands.
7 Lifti up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the jKing of glory shall come in.
Notes
Ver. 1. Earth is the Lord's. It is his by right of creation, Jn. 1. 3; it is his by right of redemption, Ep. 1. 14; it is his by right of final victory, 1 Co. 15. 26, of which this psalm is a prophetic celebration. C.
Ver. 3. This is an inquiry after him who has been described, Ps. 23. 6, an abiding priest to make intercession in the holy place. C.
Ver. 4. Here are two positive and two negative characteristics that never belonged to any son of man but Christ. This psalm is therefore a prophetic description of Christ. C.
Ver. 6. This is the generation, that is, they who appear at his right hand to inherit the blessing, and receive the gift of righteousness, when the earth becomes the Lord's by final victory, 1 Co. 15. 26, and by a new creation, 2 Pe. 3. 13.—O Jacob. Jacob, being interpreted, signifies supplanter; and he supplanted profane Esau by purchasing the blessing. As such, the name is an appropriate title of Christ, who purchased the heirship of all things at the cost of his own blood, 1 Co. 6. 20; 7. 23.—Selah. See note on Ps. 3. 2. C.
Ver. 7. Everlasting doors. This can be no allusion to either tabernacle or temple; for David never imagined their gates or doors to be everlasting. The everlasting gates and doors are those of righteousness, Ps. 118. 19, by which Christ has entered into the heavens, He. 4. 14; 9. 11, 12, 24. C.
Ver. 9. The gates and doors are twice summoned, because Christ has two entrances into glory; one after his resurrection, when he entered alone, 'mighty in battle,' ver. 8; the other after the resurrection of his saints, when he enters with them and his angels, 'Lord of hosts,' Mat. 16. 27. C.
Reflections.—How great is Christ, who is Lord of all! Surely it is proper that all persons should praise and serve him; and that all things should be received as from his hand and used to his honour. But what change of state and nature—what holiness in heart and life—is necessary to constitute us true members of his church on earth, or inhabitants of his heaven above! There is great need of serious self-examination, lest he at last reject us; for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. But however sincere our hearts, blameless our lives, or fervent our prayers, not these, but a living faith in the Lord Jesus, must found our title to eternal felicity. O how transcendently glorious is Jesus' entrance into manhood—his exaltation to heaven—and his entrance into men's hearts and assemblies on earth! And, in fine, his solemn return to his celestial mansions, attended by all the ransomed millions, after the last judgment!