Psalm 24
Theme
The King of Glory Enters Zion
Outline
1-2, The Lord Owns the World (Because He Made It) 3-6, The Lord Requires Holiness 7-10, The Lord Is the Coming King
Key Verse
(24:7) Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. (24:1) The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.
Notes
After the superscription (on which, see the introduction), Ps 24 opens with two verses that declare that Yahweh owns the world and its inhabitants because he is their creator (24:1–2). Having asserted these realities, David turns to the righteousness God requires in 24:3–6. David begins by asking who may ascend Yahweh’s mountain to stand in his holy place (24:3), a question as reminiscent of 15:1 as the answer that follows (24:4–5) is of 15:2–5. David then declares in 24:6 that the generation that seeks Yahweh will live out the righteousness described in 24:4–5. The psalm concludes with a rhythmic celebration of Yahweh the coming king (24:7–10).