Psalm 24 considers the King of Glory and his Kingdom. For the Jewish people, this Psalm would be sung in the temple courts on Sundays, and they specifically consider this a Psalm for the first day of the week. Written into the Psalm is a call and response format, one example that we see is found in verse three, where the question is asked, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?” The people in the temple would then sing back, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.” Through this process of call and response the Psalmist answers three questions for us.
The first question answered here in verses one and two is, “Who is subject to this King?” The response of the Psalmist, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness…” The Psalmist does not stop there though; the Lord’s ownership is not limited to just the earth and nature, “The world and those who dwell therein” are also part of his domain and Lordship. Simply put, Yahweh’s (YHWH) kingship is found in his creation. He founded this creation, and naturally, he owns, upholds, and maintains it. This is in direct contrast to the false deities worshiped in the lands surrounding Israel. In their world, minor deities scrambled for control and engaged in petty rivalries with one another in a desperate and pathetic fight for control. Similarly, today, we are told by secularists that the only higher source of moral authority is our own self, and we should do what makes us happy. The result, we see an onslaught of rivalry as we piteously scrounge trying to play the role of mini-deity ever-engaged in a rat race to expand our dingy private kingdoms. This is not our Father’s plan for us, and it is no wonder so many in our world find themselves lacking in joy and happiness. Instead, we should seek that joy that comes through seeking to fulfill our created purpose worshiping and honoring our heavenly Father.
The Psalmist then answers what should be our natural follow-up question. If this is the King of Complete Dominion, then who can approach this holy God? The text states, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place?” The Psalmist’s response is simple, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.” There is an expectation that we must intentionally pursue holiness and purity. This is a call to action. Yet it is not a call to action for showmanship. Apart from God, we have no goodness, and in our humble state we certainly are able to offer no benefit to the Creator of the Universe either. Instead, this pursuit is simply to receive the blessings of God. This one, “Who has clean hands and a pure heart,” the Psalmist states, “He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” The simple state of being conveyed by these words offers the idea that as worshipers of God, we are to be permanent guests of God on his hill. True worship of our God is not a process that we enter and exit at our convenience, and we should set our eyes upon Christ the only man with a truly clean heart and hands as he is the personification and fulfillment of this question.
Something remarkable begins to happen upon answering the question, who may approach the King. We see, “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.” Creation and the worshipers of the true God YHWH begin preparing for the entrance of our Lord. It was no accident that the Jews would sing this Psalm in their temple on Sundays and that Christ’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem would also occur on a Sunday. The King has made himself known to us. This King of Glory, “YHWH strong and mighty… YHWH mighty in battle” has entered our midst attending this jubilant worship. And, here we see the final question answered, “Who is this King of Glory?” He is, “YHWH of hosts,” this King, who has mercifully opened up the gates for the people and his creation to worship him, this Creator of all things surrounded by worshipers, “He is the King of Glory.”
As we go through the rest of our week, the questions we should ask ourselves when we worship are these:
1. “Are we worshiping with the knowledge that the King of Glory, the Lord of all Creation has entered our midst and made himself known to us?”
2. What implications does/should this knowledge have on how we worship from here on out?
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