Psalm 24, King of Glory

Psalm 24 is a majestic psalm inviting us to join a procession honoring God as King. Traditionally associated with David bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, this psalm proclaims God’s reign in three powerful movements.

“A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of 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 this 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” (Psalm 24, ESV)

The Earth is the Lord’s

The psalm opens with a resounding declaration: “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” In the Hebrew text, it begins with God’s sacred name, emphasizing that everything starts and belongs with Him. As Creator, God is the ultimate owner of all that exists. Every nation, every person, including you and me, ultimately belongs to Him. He is King by right of creation.

This challenges our modern notions of autonomy. We are stewards, not owners. This perspective combats our pride and confronts our idolatry, because we can’t treat any part of creation as if it were beyond God’s authority.

Who May Ascend?

The psalm then asks a searching question: “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?” The answer demands whole-life purity: clean hands (righteous actions), a pure heart (undivided devotion), loyalty to God alone (no idols), and truthful speech. This standard is impossibly high on our own. We’ve all sinned and fallen short.

But here’s the good news: Christ has made access for us. Jesus perfectly fulfilled these requirements, and through His death and resurrection, God gives us the righteousness we lack. Hebrews 10 declares that because of Jesus’s blood, we now have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. On our own, we cannot ascend. But in Christ, any penitent sinner can enter in, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.

Lift Up Your Heads

The psalm’s climax is a scene of triumphal entry: “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” This is public celebration after personal reflection. The question rings out: “Who is this King of glory?” And the answer proclaims: “The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!”

For us, Jesus is the ultimate King of Glory. After conquering sin, Satan, and death, He ascended into the heavenly Jerusalem and was received as the victorious Lord of Hosts. This psalm also points us forward to Christ’s return, when the gates of the New Jerusalem will be thrown open to welcome the King of kings forever.

Our King Jesus is mighty in battle, stronger than any foe we face. We do not fight alone: the Lord of hosts is with us. Let us lift up our heads and welcome the King of glory into every part of our lives.

~PW 🌮🛶

Check out the full sermon and transcript here: Psalm 24, King of Glory