Psalms 24:1-10
1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob.a Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
Entering Jehovah's Holy Place
Psalms 22:1 tells of the cross; Psalms 23:1 of the crook; Psalms 24:1 of the crown. This great choral hymn was evidently composed to celebrate the removal of the Ark from the house of Obed-edom to Mount Zion, 2 Samuel 6:1. It was conducted with music and song to its resting-place, and this psalm was the marching song of the priests, 1 Chronicles 15:2.
Psalms 24:1 were sung by the whole festal crowd; Psalms 24:3 by a soloist; Psalms 24:4 by the choir; and Psalms 24:6 by the entire congregation. What a sublime challenge on the part of the approaching host is contained in Psalms 24:7, to be answered by a company from within the gates in Psalms 24:8! To this again the vast shout of the multitude gives reply in Psalms 24:9.
This magnificent ode reached its perfect accomplishment when the mighty Victor over hell and the grave arose on high and sat down at the Father's right hand. Oh, let the gates of your heart open wide to admit Him!