The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
Psalm 24:1 NLT
Main Point: You are invited to welcome the God King coming with transforming power.
God the king owns everything and everyone. vv.1-2
On every level this is a bold and confrontational statement.
This reminds me of the parable Jesus told of the owner of the vineyard which represented the kingdom of God, recorded for us in Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12. Psalm 24 is claiming the same “right of eminent domain”. Paul confirms this fact by establishing Our God the King’s further right of property when he reminds us we have been bought and our very bodies are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And just like any conquered subject of any king, we must switch allegiance. Being a subject is not in question, but how you serve the King is where you exercise your freewill.
Not everyone can approach God the king, only the holy. vv.3-4
But even though you are property of this great King who has ownership of all and everyone, this does not mean you are worthy of approaching your King. In fact it is quite likely you are not worthy to be in the King's presence. You are His property but you are damaged goods, unfit for His ownership. Untrustworthy in His kingdom. Notice the impossible height at which the bar of acceptance is set. v.4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. With such a requirement we are meant to understand we would not be welcome in the presence of this Holy King. Any and all who have heard this and understood were immediately struck with fear and crestfallen. You couldn’t possibly make the cut. You have failed on all four counts. Your hands are not pure, your heart is not pure, you have definitely worshipped idols and you have told lies, thus you are unqualified.
God saves people and makes them holy for himself. vv.5-6
But you may lift up your head, there is hope. This King can save you! In fact He has demonstrated this transformative ability in your nation's history. Jacob isn't mentioned haphazardly. Jacob, the great deceiver, the master of lies ends up blessed and meeting God and is made acceptable. v.5 makes it clear that our fear of being unworthy has to be seen in the context of this God King's ability to save those He owns. And He isn’t just taking possession, He is determined to have a relationship with those He saves as it says: “right relationship with God their saviour”
Welcome the God King or be conquered. vv.7-10
So now you understand your position as property that needs to meet the standard of holiness. And you realise the God King’s provision for the “Jacobs,” those who do not measure up to this standard. Then you can respond with the welcome that is due the conquering God King. And you can project forward this scene with Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey in the triumphant entry (Matthew 21) where the people recognised Jesus as the Son of David, the King with the eternal throne entering His holy city.
9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Did you know that Hosanna means “save” as in the idea in Psalm 24:5?
One further thought: Jerusalem, the holy city, the mountain of the Lord (Isaiah 11, Psalm 2) was not an ancient Jewish royal city when this Psalm was written. David had just established it as his royal city. So verses 7-10 make sense 1000 years later at the time of Jesus.
Conclusion: Jesus the king who owns you and can make you worthy of His presence is coming and deserves a royal welcome. So receive His blessing and recognise your saving King by making way for His kingdom.
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