Meditations On Psalm 24

by M.D. Macdonald, Wishaw, Scotland | Category: Meditations On Psalm 24 | Jul 1994

The first part of this psalm of David deals with our ascending into the hill of the Lord, and the second with the ascending of the Lord Jesus Christ into heaven.

David first shows that the Lord is the possessor of all things on this earth. He it was who established it in the beginning. Then the question is asked as to who will ascend into His hill, or stand in His holy place. How important it is that we should grasp something of the majesty and glory of the One to whom we would seek to draw near.

The psalmist then points out certain things that must be observed for this drawing near - he speaks of the hands, the heart, the soul and the lips.

The hands :

Hands speak of our actions. It is clear that our day by day actions need to be in keeping with our calling if we are to draw near to God.

The heart:

God loves a pure heart. Time and again the Scriptures commend those people whose hearts are pure. David was a man after God's own heart, and he delighted in drawing near to God.

The soul:

Naturally speaking our souls would follow after vain things. The world around us is full of vanity. Revelation 18:14 speaks of "the fruits which thy soul lusted after". We would be despising the collective privilege of ascending into the holy place if our souls seek after these things.

The lips:

Finally David speaks of our lips not swearing deceitfully. The men and women whose speech is always with grace, and on whose lips is the law of truth are fit persons for ascending into the holy place. Those who practise these things will indeed know a blessing from the Lord.

The second part of this psalm appears to be a beautiful description of the Lord's return to His rightful place in heaven, after accomplishing His work on earth.

The lifting up of the gates and the lifting up of those everlasting doors signify the opening of the way for this majestic Person so aptly called "the King of Glory". What a contrast there is between the humility of the days of His flesh and His triumphant return on high! On earth He was despised and rejected; now in heaven there is no place too high for Him.

Five times over David used the expression "the King of Glory". Twice it is used in the question "Who is the King of glory?". The first answer is that He is the One strong and mighty in battle. Could a better description be found for the One who triumphed over His enemies through the Cross? The answer given the second time to the question is simply "The LORD of hosts". Over all the hosts, whether in heaven above or on earth beneath, He is the Lord. Well might this lovely psalm ring out its last chord with those memorable words "He is the King of Glory".

M.D. Macdonald, Wishaw, Scotland | Jul 1994
Meditations On Psalm 24