The earth is Yahweh’s, as well as its fullness,
Psalm 24
The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers.
Who may ascend into the mountain of Yahweh?
And who may rise in His holy place?
He who has innocent hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to worthlessness
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall lift up a blessing from Yahweh
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face—pay heed O Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
Yahweh strong and mighty,
Yahweh mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift yourselves up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is He, this King of glory?
Yahweh of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Introduction
When I was in High School, I encountered the worship music produced by Robin Mark. Sharing this music with my Dad was something I enjoyed to the point where we even sang some of Mark’s songs in our Church together before the congregation. Something my Dad pointed out that remained with me was how much Robin Mark’s music conformed with the text of scripture. Even when it was not directly quoting, it held a certain reference.
One song in particular has impacted me because of the reference my Dad pointed out to me that felt somewhat obscure. That song was entirely about bringing Glory to the Lord our God. Repeatedly this song references Psalm 24, in commanding the ancient doors to let in the King of Glory; after this, the singer praises the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9), calling all to worship Him. This combination cemented itself in my mind regarding the King of Glory and His worship. Only the One whose property is glory may receive worship at all.
ONLY the righteous
But this psalmist in particular is concerned with the ever-reaching impact of God’s sovereignty and glory. He opens the poem by proclaiming everything in existence belongs to God. And not simply “God”, but Yahweh by name. The holiness and goodness of Him is established upon this premise: that He alone is creator and sustainer of all things.
He asks the rhetorical question about who might be allowed to ascend to God. At least it seems rhetorical, since the answer is either nobody or only those who perfectly keep His Law. Which, of course we know is nobody (Psalm 14:1). Only the righteous may approach God, and righteousness cannot be obtained by works. It is only gained by faith.
Jesus Christ is the perfect lawkeeper. He alone is worthy to enter into God’s eternal court. And it is by faith in Him that we are allowed entry. Because His righteousness is put on us, we are allowed in. He put on flesh so that we might be one with Him.
Who is this King of glory, anyhow?
His righteousness stands in spite of our weakness. Sin leads to death (Romans 6:23), and because of this, the enemy thinks he can use one to induce the other. By the sin of Adam, death entered the world (Romans 5:12); but by the death of a man, sin was destroyed. This destruction was to the entire astonishment and dismay of those who orchestrated it.
But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom which has been hidden, which God predestined before the ages to our glory, which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1 Corinthians 2:7-8
Before our times; before Christ arrived; before even this Psalmist wrote the words of this poem, the gates of paradise had been closed (Genesis 3:24). Man was no longer to enter into the presence of God. But one man was able. That man, Jesus Christ, entered into paradise because He is the Lord of Glory.
The Psalmist implores those ancient doors to open for God, whom he calls the King of Glory. Finally, He did it. He came in humility and left in glory. Yahweh of hosts, who is the King of glory, appeared before man as a man so that He might redeem a people for Himself. This is the entire purpose of the gospel from beginning to end: to glorify Him in all His wondrous works. He made a family out of humanity through the coming of the Son.
May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.
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