Click here to read PSALM 24 in poetic form.
Background
Like Psalm 15, this Psalm is a “checklist” of what the Messiah would do. Both answer the question, “Who can stand or dwell on God’s holy hill?” Jesus Christ would have found great inspiration and guidance in these scriptures. There are four qualities in Psalm 24: clean hands, a pure heart, no pride or vanity, no deceitful oaths. They show that the Messiah was innocent in his deeds and thoughts:
- Kept his actions clean and blameless from the adversary’s influences (deeds)
- Kept his heart pure and before the true God (thoughts)
- Was not lifted up with pride or empty idolatry (thoughts)
- Was not lying or deceitful in his vows to God and man (deeds)
The Psalm is separated into two sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
Structure
(Verses 1-6) The Lord’s dominion and His people.
Pause
(Verses 7-10) The Messiah’s dominion and glory.
Pause
Key Scriptures
Verse 5—“ righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Jesus Christ was righteous because His Father made him so and because of his perfect walk to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17-20; Romans 10:4). Now we are made the righteousness of God in him (II Corinthians 5:21).
Verse 7—“the King of glory shall come in.” Jesus Christ entered the gates of Jerusalem in triumph and acclaim as the “glorious King” (Matthew 21:9,15; Mark 11:9,10; John 12:13). He will return in the future as Lord in glory (Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
