Psalms 24

David being informed by God, that Solomon was to build the Temple, and cause the Ark of the LORD to be brought into the same, acknowledgeth Gods Soveraignty, and popwer over all the Earth; but doth chiefly rejoice in Gods special grace and favour to his Church, whose members David describeth here, and exhorteth that the Ark (whereon God manifested his presence) may be received worthily and reverently, that being a type of the coming of the Messiah into the Tabernacle of his Body, and unto his Church (as the Temple of God, and the Kingdom of Christ) whereunto belongeth likewise his ascension into heaven, for to govern his Church from thence as King of glory.

1. A Psalm of David. The Earth is the LORDS, together with her fullness; [i.e. All the Creatures, wherewith the LORD hath filled the Earth. Now that out of all this fullness (which by right of creation appertaineth unto him) he hath chosen out a peculiar people for himself, to be his own, and to dwell upon his holy hill: that is of his meer and special favour. Comp.Exod.19.5. Deut.10.14,15.] the world and those that dwell in it.

2. For he hath founded it upon the Seas, [Or, at, or by the Seas, and so in the sequel, at or by the Rivers, Seas, i.e. Waters. See Gen.1.on verse 10. That there are waters under the earth is known and appeareth, Ex.20.4. Yet this may also be understood thereof, that God made the earth, or dry land (To siccum) to stand out ver, and founded and bull-walked the same, as it were furthermore, with, at, and upon the waters, whom (not with standing that they are moist and flowing, unstable by nature, and consequently in all appearance in all appearance unsit and unserviceable for it) he doth make to become a very firm and stable foundation of the earth; even as he doth bring forth light out of darkness: holding and maintaining thus both water, and earth together, in their ordained places through his power. See further Psalms 104:5,6,7,8. And 136.6. and compare Job 26:7. & 38.4,6. Mich.6.2.] and hath established it upon the Rivers.

3. Who shall ascend upon the hill of the LORD? [See Psalm 2.on ver.6.] And who shall stand in the place of his holiness? [As if he should say, though Israel be Gods peculiar people; yet the hypocrites, which are only Israelites according to the flesh, and some appearance in the outward worship, are no true members of his people, but those only, that make up the Israel according to the spirit, and are described in the sequel by their proper marks; Compare Romans 9:6. and 2.28,29. Gal.6.16.]

4. He that is clean of hands, [i.e. far and clear from stealing. Robbing, killing, adultery, &c. Compare Genesis 20.on v.5.] and pure of heart, [i.e. sincere, upright, and unfained kin all his service of God] that doth not lift up his soul to vanity, [i.e. that doth not give up or addict himself to vanity or falsehood: or, that hath no desire nor longing after vanity. See the same kind of expression, Deut.24.on verse 15. Jerem.22.27. and 44.14. and compare Ezek.24.15. Hos.4.8. Oth. That taketh not up soul (i.e. my Holy Name) in vain, viz. Into his mouth; and thus these should be Gods own words, inserted here by David, to add the more weight unto them] and he that sweareth that he may deceive, not meaning that in his heart, which his mouth sweareth.]

5. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD [Or, bear away, carry away] and righteousness [i.e. the fruit of righteousness, viz. Temporal blessing, and glory everlasting. See Isaiah 48:18. Hosea 10:12.or, he shall receive the benefit, which he doth righteously distribute unto his children, not according to their deserts, which he doth keep and perform according to his righteousness. See Heb.6. verse 9,10. 1 John 1:9.] from the God of his salvation. [i.e. That is his Saviour or Redeemer.]

6. That is the generation of those, that enquire after him, that seek thy face, [He speaketh unto God, shewing his assured confidence, about the truth of this weighry matter, for to conceive and shame the hypocrites, (who imagined the contrary) as before the Tribunal-seat of God. Concerning these kind of speechs see 2 Chron.7.on verse 14. And 11.on verse 6.] (that) is Jacob: [i.e. those are the true children of Jacob, or true Israelites. Compare John 1:47. Rom.9.6. Oth. O Jacob. i.e. O thou true Church; thou spiritual Israel; This is a matter (he implies) which ought to be well weighed by thee, as being of great importancein point of Religion. Turning himself thus from be speaking God, unto the church of God] Sela. [see Psa.3.on verse 3.]

7. Lift up your heads [i.e. the upper posts, or top beams] ye gates [of the Temple, which David had learnt of God by Nathan the Prophet, his Son Solomon should build up, and into which the Ark of the Covenant (whereupon God shewed his presence) was to be brought unto her place, and so God to take up his habitation there. Whereby was prefigured the coming Christ into the flesh, and unto his Church, together with his ascension, which David doth greatly rejoice at in the spirit, after that Nathan had given him such an ample information thereof, that he knew not how to thank God sufficiently for it, 2 Sam.7.] and exalt yourselves, ye everlasting doors: [Heb. Gates of eternity, and so in the next verse likewise, i.e. gates that were to last and stand long time in their places, whereas the Tabernacle was removed often from one place to another, and had but little rest. But being applied to the church of Gods children, whom God entered with his grace and spirit, and dwelleth in them, (for which cause they are called the Temple of God) this may sitly signify the everlastingness of the church of God, yea and heaven it self, for as much as Christs ascension into heaven is likewise shadowed out hereby. See of the word eternal, or everlasting, Genesis 17.on verse 7. And further, [Cor.3.16. and 6.19. rev.3.20.] that the King of glory may enter. [i.e. God, who is said to dwell between the Cherubims upon the Ark, 2 Sam.6.2. whereby Christ is figured out the true King of Glory.]

8. Who is the King of Glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, mighty in the Battle.

9. Lift up your heads yr gates, yea lift up, ye everlasting doors, that the King of glory may enter.

10. Who is he, this King of Glory? The LORD of hosts: [See 1 Kings 18.on verse 15. Some do understand that in this Psalm from the seventh verse to the end, there is onely mention made of the ascension of our LORD Jesus Christ into heaven] That is the King of Glory. Sela!