Psalms24
English Standard Version
1A of . The is the Lord ’s and the thereof, the and those who therein,
2 he has it the and it the .
3 shall the of the Lord? And shall in his ?
4He who has and a , does his to what is and does .
5He will the Lord and the of his .
6 is the of those who him, who the of the God of .
7 your , O ! And be , O , that the of may come .
8 is of ? The Lord, and , the Lord, in !
9 your , O ! And , O , that the of may come .
10 is of ? The Lord of , he is the of !
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 24.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Concerning the kingdom of Christ, and the subjects of that kingdom. (1–6). Concerning the King of that kingdom. (7–10).
vv1-6
We ourselves are not our own; our bodies, our souls, are not. Even those of the children of men are God's, who know him not, nor own their relation to him. A soul that knows and considers its own nature, and that it must live for ever, when it has viewed the earth and the fulness thereof, will sit down unsatisfied. It will think of ascending toward God, and will ask, What shall I do, that I may abide in that happy, holy place, where he makes his people holy and happy? We make nothing of religion, if we do not make heart-work of it. We can only be cleansed from our sins, and renewed unto holiness, by the blood of Christ and the washing of the Holy Ghost. Thus we become his people; thus we receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of our salvation. God's peculiar people shall be made truly and for ever happy. Where God gives righteousness, he designs salvation. Those that are made meet for heaven, shall be brought safe to heaven, and will find what they have been seeking.
vv7-10
The splendid entry here described, refers to the solemn bringing in of the ark into the tent David pitched for it, or the temple Solomon built for it. We may also apply it to the ascension of Christ into heaven, and the welcome given to him there. Our Redeemer found the gates of heaven shut, but having by his blood made atonement for sin, as one having authority, he demanded entrance. The angels were to worship him, Heb 1:6: they ask with wonder, Who is he? It is answered, that he is strong and mighty; mighty in battle to save his people, and to subdue his and their enemies. We may apply it to Christ's entrance into the souls of men by his word and Spirit, that they may be his temples. Behold, he stands at the door, and knocks, Rev 3:20. The gates and doors of the heart are to be opened to him, as possession is delivered to the rightful owner. We may apply it to his second coming with glorious power. Lord, open the everlasting door of our souls by thy grace, that we may now receive thee, and be wholly thine; and that, at length, we may be numbered with thy saints in glory.
Key Words
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מְלֹא: fulness (literally or figuratively)
תֵּבֵל: the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as Babylonia, Palestine
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָסַד: to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. settle, consult
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָם: a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south
Cross References
Psalms 24Explicitly quoted by Paul to prove the earth is the Lord's and all its contents.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Asserts Jehovah's supreme possession of heaven and earth, contrasting Israel's special choice.
Supported by John Calvin, Matthew Poole
Apostolic testimony of the earth being formed out of and established upon water.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The historical account of God gathering waters to let the dry land appear.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the identical question of who may abide in God's tabernacle and holy hill.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The historical background: David bringing the ark (God's presence) up to Mount Zion.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ's promise that only the pure in heart shall see God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Uses the same Hebrew idiom of 'lifting up the soul' to describe setting affections.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the concept of seeking God's face as the defining trait of His people.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Christ explicitly as 'the Lord of glory' crucified by earthly rulers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Exposition of Christ ascending on high, fulfilling the entry of the King of glory.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Echoes 'the Lord mighty in battle' in the ancient song of Moses.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Celebrates God who 'stretched out the earth above the waters' in creation.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The bringing of the ark into the Holy of Holies under the cherubim.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The King of glory knocking at the closed doors of human hearts.
Supported by Matthew Henry