Praise!
Six Studies in the Psalms by Peter J. Blackburn
Study 5 - God's Dwelling (Psalm 24)
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Psalm 24
1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
the world and those who dwell therein.
2 For it was he who founded it upon the seas
and planted it firm upon the waters beneath.
1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
the world and those who dwell therein.
2 For it was he who founded it upon the seas
and planted it firm upon the waters beneath.
3 Who may go up the mountain of the LORD?
And who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who has not set his mind on falsehood,
and has not committed perjury.
5 He will receive a blessing from the LORD,
and justice from God his saviour.
6 Such is the fortune of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
And who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who has not set his mind on falsehood,
and has not committed perjury.
5 He will receive a blessing from the LORD,
and justice from God his saviour.
6 Such is the fortune of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates,
lift yourselves up, you everlasting doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates,
lift yourselves up, you everlasting doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who then is the King of glory?
The King of glory is the Lord of hosts.
lift yourselves up, you everlasting doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates,
lift yourselves up, you everlasting doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who then is the King of glory?
The King of glory is the Lord of hosts.
What is it saying?
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Are all the words and phrases clear to me? Do I understand what this Psalm meant when it was first written -
Jot down here any new thoughts, problems or questions, that have come to mind as you have read and thought about this Psalm. |
In the group, share what you have written before reading on.
Most scholars agree that Psalm 24 was written by David on the occasion when be brought the ark of the covenant from the house of Obed-edom to the place he had prepared for it in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6.12-19). Uzziah had died in the original attempt to move the ark. This had made David and the people particularly conscious of the holiness of God and of the need for moral purity for those who would enter his presence.
The Psalm opens with a strong affirmation of God's sovereignty over the earth and everything in it (v. 1). It is true that he has given it to us to live in and to use. But we are always responsible to him. We don't have absolute ownership - we must be stewards.
In the historical setting already noted, the verses following had specific reference to the priests serving in the tabernacle. However, they have much broader reference too. If "the earth is the Lord's", then our relationship to him is of crucial importance. But the world is people by sinners, by folk sharing in the rebellion against God and his ways.
The conditions for God's fellowship and blessing are "clean hands and a pure heart" and honest living (v. 4). Note carefully that this points not only to right actions (clean hands), but also to right thoughts, desires and motives (pure heart).
But who can meet these conditions? If "all have sinned" (Rom. 3.23), are God's fellowship and blessing closed to us all? The key surely is that we "seek" him (v. 6) - that we turn from our rebellion, that we accept him as our Saviour or Rescuer. What David has written here ought to remind us of the words of John in his letter (1 Jn 1.6).
So then, in this world which belongs to the Lord anyway, but in which we have set up our own reign against him, we are called on to be open and ready to receive him back as "King of glory" (vv. 7-10).
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Thinking of the world as we see it, what are the signs of the Lord's Kingship and of humanity's rival kingship?
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What about me?
For the words of the Psalmist of centuries ago to be a meaningful part of my praise, I need to think about my life today. Use these questions to help focus group sharing.
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I know I am not everyone, but how can I, in my part of the world's life, show that "the earth is the LORD's"? What should I be doing as a faithful steward?
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What has reminded me recently that I need a "pure heart"? What can I do about this?
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How can I be always open to welcome the King of glory into my life?
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Praise!
Work individually for ten minutes or so and write down your own Psalm based on our sharing of life together in the light of Psalm 24.
Now share with the whole group what you have written.
Then join together in praise using the words of Psalm 24.
Praise! Studies in the Psalms © Peter J. Blackburn 1977, 2000. Permission is given for this study to be copied in its entirety for group use. Courtesy advice of the use of these studies would be appreciated. Any other proposed use must have the written permission of the author. Email Peter Blackburn.
Study 6 - Security (Psalm 27)
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