Psalm 24
A Psalm of David
The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains,
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 hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face-even Jacob. Selah.
Lift up your heads, O Gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is the king of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah.
This is part one of a two part series.
It seems to
me that we do not really understand the reality of our condition. We vaguely
understand we need a savior because we vaguely understand we are sinners. This
often demonstrates itself in several ways.
The way we
approach worship is quite telling. Ask yourself this question: “how much time
to spend in heart preparation for gathering in corporate worship?” Or how
about: “how often to I acknowledge that the activities and events that happen
between the bookends we call “church” are inherently worship?” Isn’t it
interesting how we cling to a vague acknowledgement of the truth that all is
worship and yet when we are in the events we often do not even acknowledge
Christ’s existence?
Or consider
our perspective of eternity. There is no question that the Scriptures tell us
that it is normal and appropriate for Christians to have a heavenly focus.
Richard Baxter said: “some are so earthly minded that they are no heavenly
good.” Today we turn that 180 degrees the other direction and actually speak
against those who have a strong heavenly focus. So, ask yourself these
questions: “What do I know of heaven?” “What is the big deal?” And most
important for self evaluation: “how strongly do I feel the pull to be with my
savior?” Without a strong pull to be with Christ and away from this fallen
world there is no motivation to glorify God and certainly no enjoying of
Christ.
All this
brings us to Psalm 24. David begins this great Psalm by making a declaration in
the first two verses. Notice that his overarching statement is a proclamation
of His immense power and sovereignty. Everything is His. Why? Because He
created it. He has ownership. The title is His. But also notice He not only
owns the world, He also owns the contents. That includes what you own and what
you do. But most important, it includes you. The ramifications of this are
stupendous. Of importance is the question of what He does with what He owns.
Which leads us to verses 3-6.
If it true
all is owned by God, the question is who can be in His presence. Of course, the
over arching teaching in the Scriptures is that Man is in desperate straits.
Because of sin he is left with no hope, which makes the questions of verse 3
utterly important. What difference does it make if one may be able to “ascend
the holy hill of the Lord?” Because the alternative is to be rejected. That is,
it is to be destroyed in hell. So, the questions are of amazing importance. Who
among all that God owns may actually enjoy His blessing? Who may have the
privilege of living in the place of ultimate enjoyment, peace, blessing, and
joy?
The hoped
for answer would probably be one of two possibilities. One would probably be
everyone can come. He is the owner isn’t He? So, why can’t he just let everyone
come? Of course this answer comes out of a rejection of the complete fall of
man into sin and the utter holiness of God.
The other
probable answer to the question is “just tell me what I can do to gain
entrance.” And this is exactly what David tells the reader. However, rather
than explaining requirements that are attainable, his fourfold description of
what is required leaves us utterly hopeless. No one is able to measure up. No
one is able to ascend into the hill of the Lord. Clean hands? A pure heart? No
falsehood? No deceitfulness?
We must not
miss the point David is driving at here. Who has clean hands? That is, who has
never sinned with his body? Who has lived in such a way that he has never
demonstrated sin in his physical body? And just when we realize the stark
reality of our answer he brings up the second requirement. A pure heart. That
is, one who would be allowed in the presence of the Lord is one who has not
sinned in his heart. Who has not thought thoughts of hatred, bitterness, anger?
Or what about lust, or coveting?
And yet, the
answer is not over yet. The one who has the privilege of being in the presence
of the Lord is one who has never practiced falsehood. In other words, the one
who is allowed to ascend is the one who has never set up idols in his heart.
That is, he has never placed other things, people, or activities in greater
prominence than God. Nothing has captured his attention, focus, and desire
other than God. Who has not found themselves repeatedly being drawn to other
things? And worse than that, who has not found themselves completely given over
to those other things?
And yet
David is still not done. Some would say at this point he is merely piling on.
And yet, such “piling on” is necessary as most are so hard hearted that we may
miss our true condition. So one more requirement is presented. The one who can
ascend is the one who has not sworn deceitfully. That is, this one is the same
internally as he is externally. What he says is what is in his heart. There is
no disconnect. There is no manipulation to get what you want. Lying is excluded
as is exaggeration.
Part two will be posted in a few days. please check back to read of the hope found in Psalm 24