_THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND THE FULNESS THEREOF; THE WORLD, AND THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN._ This psalm refers primarily to David's bringing the ark up to Zion (2 Samuel 6:1). This is the oldest of the Introit psalms (i:e., sung at the Temple entrance). God's absolute ownership of the world (as in Ps... [ Continue Reading ]
_FOR HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS, AND ESTABLISHED IT UPON THE FLOODS._ Founded it upon the seas - rather, 'above the seas ... above the floods' (Genesis 1:9; Job 38:8; 2 Peter 3:6). Thereby He made it a dry and habitable world. Note, last clause, Psalms 24:1. It is the inhabited and replenishe... [ Continue Reading ]
_WHO SHALL ASCEND INTO THE HILL OF THE LORD? OR WHO SHALL STAND IN HIS HOLY PLACE?_ Who shall ascend? - i:e., Who shall really and spiritually ascend in worship into His earthly house now, and into His heavenly house hereafter? (cf. Psalms 15:1.) The question served to awaken the worshippers to pen... [ Continue Reading ]
_HE THAT HATH CLEAN HANDS, AND A PURE HEART; WHO HATH NOT LIFTED UP HIS SOUL UNTO VANITY, NOR SWORN DECEITFULLY._ Clean hands, and a pure heart. As it is a kingdom of righteousness, the righteous alone shall inherit it (Isaiah 33:15). The pure in heart alone shall see Him who is purity itself (Matt... [ Continue Reading ]
_HE SHALL RECEIVE THE BLESSING FROM THE LORD, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM THE GOD OF HIS SALVATION._ He shall receive the blessing - `He shall take the blessing from the Lord,' even as 'he hath not taken his soul unto vanity' (note, Psalms 24:4). A tacit refutation of the idea of inherent efficacy in th... [ Continue Reading ]
_THIS IS THE GENERATION OF THEM THAT SEEK HIM, THAT SEEK THY FACE, O JACOB. SELAH._ The generation of them that seek - i:e., that seek to be among the true sons of Jacob, a seeker after God, and so a representative head of the Church. As to the "face" of Jacob, whom true Israelites look up to as a... [ Continue Reading ]
_LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YE GATES; AND BE YE LIFT UP, YE EVERLASTING DOORS; AND THE KING OF GLORY SHALL COME IN._ As the ark in the procession draws near the gates of Zion, David calls on them to open to receive the King of Glory. LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YE GATES - i:e., Be elated with the high honour... [ Continue Reading ]
_WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY? THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY, THE LORD MIGHTY IN BATTLE._ Who is this King of glory? The question is put in order to lend the people seriously to ask it, and so to ponder upon the true answer. THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY - therefore, one who can and will save His people,... [ Continue Reading ]
_LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YE GATES; EVEN LIFT THEM UP, YE EVERLASTING DOORS; AND THE KING OF GLORY SHALL COME IN._ Lift up your heads. The repetition of Psalms 24:7 is to bring out with greater emphasis the might of the Lord as "the Lord of hosts.... [ Continue Reading ]
_WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY? THE LORD OF HOSTS, HE IS THE KING OF GLORY. SELAH._ The Lord of hosts - rather, as 'Yahweh' (Hebrew for "the Lord") is not usually made to govern the genitive in this way, 'Yahweh (the God) of hosts.' As an intensification of the idea in the corresponding Psalms 24:8, we... [ Continue Reading ]