Psalms Chapter 24

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 10 Verses

What is Psalms 24 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1The earth is Jehovah`s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.
2For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods.
3Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully.
5He shall receive a blessing from Jehovah, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is the generation of them that seek after him, That seek thy face, [even] Jacob. Selah
7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in.
8Who is the King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in.
10Who is this King of glory? Jehovah of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah Psalm 25 [A Psalm] of David.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“The earth [is] the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof, etc.] The whole universe, all the terraqueous globe, both land and water, and the circumambient air, and all that is therein; the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the air, the beasts of the field, all plants and vegetables that spring out of the earth, and metals and minerals in the bowels of it; all which are the riches of the Lord the earth is full of, (<19A424>Psalm 104:24); (see <195010>Psalm 50:10-12); the world, and they that dwell therein; the habitable world, and the dwellers on it, rational and irrational. These words may be interpreted of Christ, who is…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“God's supreme sovereignty requires a befitting holiness of life and heart in His worshippers; a sentiment sublimely illustrated by describing His entrance into the sanctuary, by the symbol of His worship--the ark, as requiring the most profound homage to the glory of His Majesty. (Psa 24:1-10) fulness--everything. world--the habitable globe, with they that dwell--forming a parallel expression to the first clause.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“Seas - The whole collection of waters, as well as the sea and the rivers running into it, as that great abyss of waters which is contained in the bowels of the earth. Psalms 24:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 24 The shepherd of Ps 23, who is also the King of the whole world, takes possession of Zion. 24:1-2 The kingdom belongs to the Creator, the Great King (cp. 22:27). 24:1 The Lord created and now rules the earth and everything in it (see 1 Cor 10:25-26). He sees all its people (Ps 33:14), regardless of their status (49:1-2).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“am 2962, bc 1042 earth: Psa 50:12; Exo 9:29, Exo 19:5; Deu 10:14; Ch1 29:11; Job 41:11; Dan 4:25; Co1 10:26 world: Psa 89:11, Psa 98:7; Nah 1:5 Psalms 24:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“Jahve, whose throne of grace is now set upon Zion, has not a limited dominion, like the heathen deities: His right to sovereignty embraces the earth and its fulness ( Psa 50:12; Psa 89:12), i.e., everything that is to be found upon it and in it. (Note: In Co1 10:26, Paul founds on this verse (cf. Psa 50:12) the doctrine that a Christian (apart from a charitable regard for the weak) may eat whatever is sold in the shambles, without troubling himself to enquire whether it has been offered to idols or not. A Talmudic teacher, B. Berachoth 35a, infers from this passage the duty of prayer before meat: He who eats…”
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