PSALM 24

Psalm 24

 

This psalm has been called The Psalm of the Ascension. It is believed to have been written by David when he ascended the hill of Zion bringing the Ark of God into Jerusalem from the house of Obed-edom (2 Samuel 6:12-15). It was later sung by the Hebrews as they ascended the hill of Zion and entered the city of Jerusalem to attend their annual Jewish feasts. However, this psalm reaches its most sublime height when understood as a foreshadowing of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, picturing for us His royal reception upon His glorious and triumphant return to Heaven! 

 

It is unfortunate that Psalm 23—The Shepherd’s Psalm—overshadows and eclipses Psalm 24—The Psalm of the Ascension—which follows it, as well as Psalm 22—The Psalm of the Cross—which precedes it. It is not that Psalm 23 is undeserving of such special attention, but that the two psalms that bookend it are deserving of so much more attention than they normally receive.

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: All things, having originated with the Lord, are owned by the Lord. Being His creation, makes everything and everyone His possession.

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: As the earth’s sole Creator and Sustainer, the Lord alone is its Owner.

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: Notice, it is definitely a lofty ascent to enter the presence of the high and lofty One who dwells in the high and holy place (Isaiah 57:15). Therefore, no spiritual acrophobe need attempt to scale this steep slope.

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: To come into and to continue in God’s presence you must do the right things—have “clean hands”—and do the right things for the right reasons—have “a pure heart.”

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: To come into and continue in God’s presence you must seek God and the things of God, not the world and the vain things of the world.

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: To come into and continue in God’s presence you must not depend on deceitful things, such as false idols or man-made gods, but only on the one and only true God.

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: The word “blessing” in Scripture always carries with it the meaning of happiness. All over the world today mankind is seeking happiness; however, true and timeless happiness is only found in the presence of the Lord, who alone can satisfy man’s longing soul. (Psalm 107:9) 

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: Righteousness is not just right living before God and doing the right things for God, but also a right standing and relationship with God.

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: God is not just our Savior, but our salvation. We’re not saved by consenting and cleaving to the plan of salvation, but by confessing and coming to the man of salvation—Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12)

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: Notice, the true seeker of God seeks His face, not just His favors, wanting His presence more than His presents.

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: It is believed that David wrote this psalm when he ascended the hill of Zion and brought the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence of God, to Jerusalem. In ancient cities, like Jerusalem, city gates did not just open inwardly, but also had an upper part that lifted up as well. Anytime something grand or glorious entered a city, such as a king, the gates were not just opened, but the upper part lifted up as well, so as to open the gates to their widest, in order to make room for the entrance of royalty. Obviously, the entrance of the “King of glory”—the Ark of the Covenant and the Shekinah glory of God—warranted the widest opening of the gates of ancient Jerusalem. How much more so, however, did the triumphant return of the ascended Christ—“the King of glory”—warrant the widest opening of the pearly gates of the heavenly Jerusalem? Can you imagine the cry coming from Heaven’s jasper walls at the first sight of the ascended and returning Christ, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates” and be lifted up “ye everlasting doors,” for the “King of glory” has come home. Then, in response to the question, “Who is this King of glory,” Christ’s entourage, the souls led to Heaven in His triumphant train (Ephesians 4:8), victoriously shouts out, “It is the Lord of hosts, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, He is the King of glory!” We are certainly hard pressed to find a more soul stirring scene in all of Scripture than the one foreshadowed here by these prophetic words of King David, Israel’s beloved psalmist.

 

It is believed that this psalm was later used as a processional psalm at the Temple of God in Jerusalem. According to the Bible, believers in the Lord Jesus—“the King of glory”—are the temple of God today (1 Corinthians 3:16). In order to become God’s temple, believers must open wide the door of their hearts for “the King of glory” to come in (Revelation 3:20).

 

 

BIBLE TAKEAWAY: For still our ancient foe

       Doth seek to work us woe;

       His craft and power are great,

       And, armed with cruel hate,

       On earth is not his equal.

       Did we in our own strength confide,

       Our striving would be losing;

       Were not the right man on our side,

       The man of God’s own choosing:

       Dost ask who that might be?

       Christ Jesus, it is He;

       Lord Sabaoth His name,

       From age to age the same,

       And He must win the battle. (Martin Luther)

 

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