Psalms 24:1

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 24:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The earth is Jehovah`s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The earth is Jehovah`s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.
Psalms 24:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1The earth is Jehovah`s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“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 Lord of all; he made the world, and has a right and claim to all things in it;…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“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).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“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”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 without giving thanks is like one who lays hands upon קדשׁי שׁמים (the sacred things…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification