There is no reason to doubt that the title of this psalm, which ascribes it to David, is correct. A portion of the psalm Psalms 24:3 has a strong resemblance to Psalms 15:1, and doubtless was composed by the same author. The occasion on which the psalm was composed is not designated; but from its c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S - The whole world belongs to God. He is the Creator of the earth, and therefore, its Proprietor; or, in other words, “the property vests in him.” It belongs to Him in a sense somewhat similar to our right of property in anything that is the production of our hands, or of our... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS - That is, the earth, or the habitable world. The ground of the claim to the earth and all that it contains, which is here asserted, is the fact that God had created it, or “founded” it. The language used here - “he hath founded it,” that is, he has laid the foun... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO SHALL ASCEND INTO THE HILL OF THE LORD? - Mount Zion; called the hill of the Lord, because it was the place designated for His worship, or the place of His abode. See the notes at Psalms 15:1. The idea here is, “Who shall ascend there with a view of abiding there? Who is worthy to dwell there?”... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH CLEAN HANDS - In the parallel passage in Psalms 15:2, the answer to the question is, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness.” The sentiment is substantially the same there as in the passage before us. The meaning is, that he who would be recognized as a friend and worship... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL RECEIVE THE BLESSING FROM THE LORD - literally, “He shall bear away a blessing from Yahweh.” The blessing here referred to means His favor and friendship. He shall be recognized and treated as His. In other words, God bestows His favor on those who possess the character here referred to. AN... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE GENERATION OF THEM THAT SEEK HIM - This describes the race of those who seek Him; or, this is their character. The word “generation” here is used evidently in the sense of “race, people, or persons.” This is the character or description of the “persons” who seek His favor; or, this is th... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YE GATES - Either the gates of the city, or of the house erected for the worship of God; most probably, as has been remarked, the former. This may be supposed to have been uttered as the procession approached the city where the ark was to abide, as a summons to admit the King o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY? - This is probably the response of a portion of the choir of singers. The answer is found in the other part of the verse. THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY - Yahweh, strong and mighty - describing Him by His most exalted attributes as a God of power. This is in accordance with t... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFT UP YOUR HEADS ... - The repetition here is designed to give force and emphasis to what is uttered. The response in Psalms 24:5 is slightly varied from the response in Psalms 24:8; but the same general sentiment is expressed. The design is to announce in a solemn manner that the symbol of the di... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY? - See the notes at Psalms 24:8. THE LORD OF HOSTS, HE IS THE KING OF GLORY - On the meaning of the phrase, “the Lord of hosts,” see the notes at Isaiah 1:9. The essential idea is, that God rules over the universe of worlds considered as marshalled in order, or arrayed as h... [ Continue Reading ]