Psalms 24

Psalms 24THEME: Christ as the Chief ShepherdThis is the psalm of the crown. It speaks of the coming of the Chief Shepherd. Tradition says it was composed by David and sung when he brought up the ark from Kirjath-jearim to Mount Zion (1Ch_13:1-8). It was sung in an antiphonal way. It has been suggested that it was sung by the chorus of the procession and by solo voices. Josephus, the Jewish historian, says that seven choirs of singers and musicians marched before the ark as it was brought to Mount Zion where David had prepared a tabernacle for it until the temple was built. I think it will help us to appreciate the thrill of this psalm if we use the possible arrangement as suggested by Delitzsch and Gaebelein. The psalm divides itself into two sections: the companions of the King who enter the kingdom (vv. Psa_24:1-6), and the coming of the King to set up the kingdom (vv. Psa_24:7-10). It must have been wonderful to have heard this psalm sung in David’s day.

Psalms 24:1

COMPANIONS OF THE KING WHO ENTER THE KINGDOMChorus of the Procession “The earth is the LORD’S.” David speaks of Him again as the Creator. This earth belongs to Him. The earth does not belong to the Democrats or the Republicans. It does not belong to the president, whoever he might be. It does not belong to the Communists. There are so many people today who want to run this earth, but it belongs to God. “He founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.” On the third day of creation God said, “…Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good” (Gen_1:9-10). When God gathered the waters together, submerged land appeared out of the water. It was life out of death, and it speaks of resurrection. Soloist

Psalms 24:3

Who shall stand in his holy place? The answer is in the next verse. Answering Soloist

Psalms 24:4

If the only ones who are going to ascend into the hill of the Lord are those who have “clean hands and a pure heart,” and those who have not “lifted up” their souls “unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully,” I guess I won’t be there. That leaves me out. But I am going to be there, because I am going to be there in Christ. He has undertaken to present me before the throne of grace in His present priestly office because I have trusted Him as my Savior. Chorus and Solo Voices

Psalms 24:5

Now picture this procession as it enters Jerusalem singing:

Psalms 24:7

A voice from the gates inquires: “Who is this King of glory?” And the chorus answers.

Psalms 24:8

Another voice from the gates inquires: “Who is this King of glory?” And again the chorus answersprobably the full choir and orchestra.

Psalms 24:10

I think this passage illustrates two events. First of all this is a picture of when the Lord returned to heaven. It is also a picture of His coming to earth again. “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Who is He? The world does not know, but this psalm gives us the answer. The King of glory is “The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” Then the gates are told to open up so that the King of glory might enter in. Well, He is not “in” today.

The world has rejected Him. “Who is this King of glory?” He is the Lord of hosts, He is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. And He is the King of glory. The psalmist writes “Selah” at the conclusionthat is, think on this for a little while. This will bless your heart, my beloved.