Psalms 24

Psalms 24:7-10

This psalm relates to the kingdom of Christ: 1. His universal government is set forth, ver. 1, 2. 2. The subjects of his kingdom are described, ver. 3—6. 3. A summons is given to all, to give the king admission, ver. 7—10. It is supposed, that this psalm was formed upon occasion of David’s bringing up the ark to the place prepared for it; and the intention of it was, to lead the people above the pomp of external ceremonies to faith in Christ, of whom the ark was a type.

¶ A psalm of David.

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 fear, and this blissed it upon the floods. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? and who shall stand in his holy place? 4. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lift 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, to Jacob. Selah.

2. 1—6. We have here, 1. The Lord’s universal sovereignty and dominion affrettes, and

and the grounds of his title thereunto indignantly proved. The earth is the Lord’s, he is the rightful lord and owner, and the fulness thereof, whatever lies in the bowels of the earth, or feeds upon its surface; whatever flies through the tracklets air, or makes their path in the great waters, all own him sovereign, and serve his will: the world, and they that dwell therein, not only the insatiente creation, not only the living creatures, void of reason, but especially men, the inhabitants of the world, are his workmanship, and therefore owe him bounden duty and service, contentment with their lot, and a sanctified use of the creatures whom the great Lord of all hath lent for our service, 1 Cor. x. 26-28. For he hath founded it, and therefore justly claims a right over the work of his hands, having produced first the matter at his word, fashioned it for his glory, and still continuing to establish and preserve it, fearfully as it appears situated upon the seas, and established upon the roads.

2. Though all things are Christ’s, by virtue of creation, he hath a peculiar property in some, by redemption and grace, the members of his church on earth, and designed to inherit glory in heaven. This world is a passing scene, a stage, that the hand which formed it will shortly strike down; but when these heavens are dissolved, and this earth bursts up, who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, the heavenly Zion, and who shall stand in his holy place, the celestial sanctuary? This is the grand enquiry. The following words describe the character; may we find it applicable to our own souls? He that hath clean hands, whose conversation is exemplary, his hands neither defiled with dishonest gain nor oppression, and lifted up in prayer without wrath or doubting; and this from a principle of divine faith, working by love, and making a pure heart, not absolutely and perfectly to, for that is not the lot of man on earth; but free from allowed impurity in our most secret desires, and in its best sincere and upright before the heart-searching God, who hath not left up his soul unto vanity, or for his heart upon it, neither seeking inordinately the pleasures, interests, riches, esteem, or honours of the world, nor placing his happiness in any of these, but in a measure crucified to the world, and the world unto him: nor sworn deceitfully, but made conscience of his words and earths, and faithfully adhered to them, however disadvantageous. He shall receive, or he who receives the blessing from the Lord, the blessing of pardon and grace, as a poor indigent sincere coming to the Lord, to receive out of his fainets, and especially righteousness from the God of his salvation, that divine and all-perfect righteousness of Jesus, in which alone he can with confidence appear before God, and on which his title to glory stands. This is the generation of them that just how, in all his holy ways below, and will meet him in his hill of glory above, even that seek thy face, O Jacob, the God of Jacob, who may be here intended, or the spiritual seed of Jacob, the church of the redeemed; to join whom, that soul will be brought who walks as is above described, and seeks to be found among those faithful few, that shall be counted to the Lord for a generation. Note, (1.) It behoves us often to examine ourselves, whether we are in the faith, and to enquire whether Christ be formed in us. (2.) They who would reign with Christ above, must walk with him here below; for without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. (3.) Though our hearts must be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ, our title to glory stands upon a higher claim than our own obedience, even on the divine righteousness of God manifest in the flesh, which he wrought out for his people’s salvation.

3. 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 hofts, he is the King of glory. Sclah.

If, as is usually thought, this psalm was composed on the bringing up the ark from Obed-edom to the tabernacle in Zion, these veries contain the alternate questions and responses of those who stood prepared for its reception within, and those without, who demanded admission for the ark of God they bore; but this triumphant entry into Zion may be regarded as the figure of the more splendid and glorious entrance of Jesus, (1.) Into the believer’s heart, and (2.) At the last day, with the train of his redeemed, into the munitions of eternal glory.

1. The Lord in his gospel stands at the door and knocks, demanding admission into the hearts of his people, that living temple, where he most delights to dwell, and they, with the most enlarged affection, are called upon to welcome him in. Do we ask who is this King of Glory? He is the Lord, Jehovah, strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle, coming from the field of slaughtered foes, red in his apparel, the conqueror of death, and sin, and hell; and therefore justly claims that dominion over us, to which his victory entudes him. He repeats

the call, as urgent for admission: such is the grace of our Redeemer, that with importunity he woes us to be happy under his gentle sway; and shall we not open to him, who is Lord of lofty, able to save or to destroy, and whose kingdom ruled over all, in glory everlasting? Note, They are truly great, and supremely happy, with whom Jesus condescends to take up his abode, and in whose hearts he fixes his gracious throne. Well may we cry, come in, dear Lord, to me!

2. When, rising from his throne of judgment, the hofts of saints and angels, who grace his triumphs, shall with him ascend above the heavens, then shall these everlasting doors be opened for his reception; with welcomes of joy transporting shall the King of Glory enter in, and the remembrance of all his mighty victories afford matter for the unceasing songs of eternity.