Psalm 24 - Hail the King!!!
A Psalm of David
It seems as if many of the monarchies around the world are either collapsing, or are rapidly losing their influence and power. This shift is not a new one, and has slowly been happening over the past couple hundred years - mainly since the French Revolution which overthrew their royal dynasty.
Modern thought on royalty is shaped by our notion of ‘democracy’ where we get to have a say and the ‘Will of the People’ and ‘Freedom of Choice’ should inform government actions. And our concept of a biblical king is clouded by this.
I’m not the greatest fan of royalty - the lavish lifestyles, the I’m greater than you, you must do my bidding just because I say so - well all those things irk me to no end. Yet, there is something to be said about a king who is strong of character, who is resolute, who is wise, who is compassionate, who loves his people, who is willing to defend them and his realm with force. That sort of king is hard to find in the world…but there is one shining example that re-occurs throughout the entire Bible.
And King David (who was no slouch as a king himself), speaks highly of this king greater than him in Psalm 24.
(Art by Schism)
Psalm 24 says…
Verses 1-2: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”
It is very interesting to note that King David starts off this very powerful psalm with a declaration of God’s &Yahweh’s) authority by stating that our world and everything in it is God’s. It is a statement about the depth of God’s authority as the King. If one owes property or controls land then they are the ruler of that land. God owns and rules over the whole Earth.
Which means that we are all subservient to HIM, because he is our king.
The thing is that in the modern world, we don’t really like submitting to authority. So, we truly need to have a look at ourselves and see if we are actually engaging with God like he is our King - full of fearful reverence and trust.
Verse 3-6: “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. (Selah)”
David questions who can get close to the very presence of God. He refers to the holy mountain that Moses travelled up, and where God’s glory and presence was evident.
He then outlines the characteristics of those who can. He notes that they must not only be of good character (do not lie, has not committed violence), and they must be followers of Yahweh and not any false gods.
Those types of people would be seen as being ‘righteous’ in the eyes of God. Those types of people will be blessed by God.
David goes even further and says that generations will be blessed if they seek the presence of God. How awesome would it be to see a revival in our generation, and the blessings that would follow if it chose to follow God? Something to pray for, even in these last days.
What is also of note, is that verse 6 finishes with the ‘Selah’ notation. While the direct meaning of this term isn’t known, it is reasonably thought to mean something like ‘contemplative pause’. It is the psalmist saying “maybe you should just take a moment and consider what I have just said”. It is also stated in the final verse of the psalm too.
Verse 7-10: “Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory. (Selah)”
King David finishes off this psalm with a flurry of poetic truths about God, and in an almost prophetic way is referring to Jesus who is the King of Kings.
David uses the imagery of gates and doors, like in a castle, or throne-room. He is talking about things both physical and spiritual here.
God will rule the Earth once more through HIS sone Jesus, at the moment Satan is the ‘Prince of the Earth’ and rules it.
When Jesus returns to Earth he will do so not as the meek, humble, sacrificial servant - rather he will come as the conquering king who is there to rule the Kingdom of God. And he will do so from Jerusalem.
HE is our King, full of power, glory and divine authority. It is our choice whether we submit to that or not. And our lives will be shaped by the outcome of that decision.
I pray that the King of Glory becomes active and real in your life. I pray that you seek HIS face and seek HIS presence - and that you will be blessed by it.