We are aware of the truth that the glory belongs to the Lord. Even after knowing this, do we attribute the glory to God or give it to something else that dominates our lives. In the days of David, Kings were the glorious people on the earth, and David was also one of them. Despite having the honour on earth as a King, David was able to visualize the Sovereignty of God and attribute all glory to God alone. Does the power and authority that we hold connect us to God or is it disconnecting us from Him because of our pride? This Psalm teaches us to give glory to the one who deserves it. It does not mean that we glorify the name of God and add to His glory, but it does reveal that the glorious God has given us the wisdom to know Him and adore Him.

God Created The Earth

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.

Psalms 24:1-2

David meditated on how God created this world and concluded that the major portion of the earth is water. Keeping abreast of our knowledge based on His creation is what God desires. When we learn to utilize what God created for us, we should keep in mind that our inventions are not greater than His creation. David attributes everything available on the earth to the creative power of God. Discoveries, inventions, and modernization are not creations of man but based on what God created. When we understand how God regulates the things of this world, we will also understand how God works in our lives with both good and evil to accomplish His purpose.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Though the scripture says that the whole world is under the control of the evil one, David realized that ultimately God controls everything. Job understood how God deals with the fallen world and said whenever a land falls into the hands of the wicked, God blindfolds its Judges (Job 9:24). But we think that corruption has entered the judicial department. John explains how God gave wisdom to Job and David and gives it to His children to discern the sovereign authority of God in the following verse.

We know that we are children of God and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.

1 John 5:19-20

No matter whether the whole world is in the control of evil, we belong to God, and He sums up all the sins of the world into His Son’s body and works it for the good of His children.

Clean Hand and A Pure Heart

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.

Psalms 24:3-4

This portion reminds us of Moses, who ascended Mount Sinai and stood in the presence of God. God gave Moses ten commandments written by Him on the tablet of stone for the good of His people. Yet they carved a golden idol and replaced it for the glorious image of God. God gave them the commandments to make the people understand their inability to cope with that and to rely on Him to fulfil those commandments in their lives. But they failed to accept their weakness and report to God. They fled away from Him and cheated themselves and others by telling them that they had fulfilled the commandments.

But a few found them guilty under the law and came to God to receive a pure heart. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalms 51:10). Jesus, in His sermon on the Mount, tells us the truth that only through a pure heart can we see God (Matthew 5:8). But, God is not satisfied by the presence of a few faithful and wants to have all of us with Him. All the recipients of Grace understand that they are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Mighty In Battle

Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you 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.

Psalms 24:7-8

In the perspective of David, God is mighty in battle because He won many encounters for Israelites, and the sight of the Ark of the Covenant frightened the enemies of His people. Probably, David would have mentioned that the ancient gates of Jerusalem paved the way for the Ark of the Covenant during its return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:17).

In the long run, we compare the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with this Psalm. Subsequently, His entry into the temple in heaven that has not been made by any human hands has its relevance. Moreover, this signifies His coming into our hearts. Ultimately, the second coming of Jesus for judging this world will fulfill this prophecy.

The Lord Almighty

Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty —
he is the King of glory.

Psalms 24:10

With his experience of victories won by God in the battle, David visualized the final encounter which was going to be held in heaven as captured in the vision of John, the disciple. With the help of the Spirit of God, finally, David concludes that the King he admired is the Almighty God who hurls down the devil. Only when we learn to relate every happening of our lives with the controlling power of God, the door of our hearts will raise for the entry of the King of Glory.

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 12:7-9