TRILOGY PSALMS (22.23.24) PSALM 24 – THE SUPREME SOVEREIGN – JESUS CHRIST RETURNS TO JERUSALEM AT THE END OF THE TRIBULATION TO REIGN
A Bible Study in Three Psalms – the Trilogy Psalms 22, 23, 24. Today we do the third one of those – Psalm 24
This is a great Psalm of praise and honour. The occasion may be a partial remembrance of the battle won in one of King David’s battles, a victory over his foes. David is most careful to acknowledge the true victor who is the King of Glory. A proud man finding God’s deliverance would want to take some of the praise for himself, but not David. It is the Lord of Hosts who has the only rightful position.
Very firm tradition claims that this Psalm was composed when the Ark of the Covenant was brought from Kirjath Jearim to Mt Zion where David had it set up in a Tabernacle (See 2 Samuel ch 6). Here are two verses from that event – {{2Samuel 6:12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God,” and David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness . . . 2Sam 6:17 They brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.”}}
The Jewish historian, Josephus, says that seven choirs of singers and musicians preceded the Ark at this occasion and the Psalm was beautifully chanted. From another bible study we know that the ark is a most perfect example and picture of the Lord Jesus Christ and so there is no hesita-tion in saying the psalm is the forerunner of the Conquering King coming into Jerusalem, through the Gates, after the Battle of Armageddon at the Second Coming. The following arrangement is the possible way the psalm was sung –
UNDERSTANDING THE PSALM
[A]. THE CHORUS OF THE PROCESSION:
{{Psalm 24:1-2 “The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it, for He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.”}}
This psalm is very fitting for the third in the trilogy. Do you remember, in the first, Psalm 22, the Messiah, THE SUFFERING SERVANT, is the crucified One who in resurrection will redeem the na-tion? As the Saviour He will shepherd His people because He became the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Lastly, He who became the Suffering Redeemer so that He might become the Good Shepherd, THE SUPERB SHEPHERD, now is exalted as the King of Glory, the Exalted One. The Suffering Servant became the Superb Shepherd who is revealed as the Su-preme King.
Of course, I said this is a Messianic Psalm so we should be able to trace the Lord Jesus Christ in it. We shall endeavour to do so. Here is a breakdown of the contents –
VERSES 1 – 2. Statement. The psalm begins with a statement, one that has the conviction of the truth of creation in it. Everything in creation belongs to God. We created nothing – we may fashion from materials we have, even very beautiful things, but the whole of creation belongs to God. Human beings don’t escape either. They may want to be products of evolution but they came from God, and to God they will be answerable at the Great White Throne.
Evolution is the devil’s escapism. He uses deflection to occupy men’s hearts and turn them away from the truth of the living God. Slime, producing amoebas and fish and lizards and a godless progression until finally you have man, is evolution’s deception, a sick dream. If Darwin wants to think his family tree way back incorporated a crocodile and that he is remotely related to a croc-odile, well that is his choice, but I certainly am not related to a crocodile. Even worse than straight out evolution is theistic evolution, that compromising denial that has God working ac-cording to the survival of the fittest so that it can accommodate evolution. It is satanic. I think those who say they are Christian evolutionists are not saved.
Verse 2 could be interesting from a scientific point of view but the Bible is not a science book. The seas are interesting (He founded it upon the seas) because Pangaea was a continent estab-lished in the seas. The expanse of the seas is often following a judgment in Scripture. David would have been blown away if he knew the immensity of the oceans.
Who, then is the Creator? Well, you may answer, “God”, or more correctly from the Hebrew in Genesis 1 v 1, Elohim. Elohim is a tri-plural noun that takes a singular verb. That is, there is one triune God who created the whole universe. See John 1 v 1 – 4 (note also life and light). Also John 1 v 10 and {{Colossians 1 v 15 – 17 “He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, Col 1:16 for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been creat-ed by Him and for Him, Col 1:17 and He is before all things, and in Him all things hold togeth-er.”}}
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator. He is the One in view in this Psalm. He is THE KING OF GLO-RY. Do you think Christians make good custodians of the earth? When God created man He said to subdue the earth. That does not mean to go out and kill everything, or rape the seas so scarcely any fish remain. Man’s greed is beyond belief. To subdue the earth means to keep it in check and on an even balance. One day – well not for another 1007 years at least – the Lord will create a new heavens and new earth as John records – {{Revelation 21:1 “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.”}}
[B]. A SINGLE VOICE:
{{Psalm 24:3 “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD and who may stand in His holy place?”}}
Verse 3. The Question. The question follows two thoughts – ascending and standing – after all, who can stand in the presence of a holy God? David throws out this question. Jerusalem was an ascent with the road always winding upwards. The pilgrims ascended to Jerusalem yearly and sang as they went on their way to Zion. Hence the Psalms of Ascent.
The question is answered in the following verse, but we are being introduced to holiness. The holiness of God is not properly understood by Christians, for if it was, then churches would be places of reverence and people’s lives would be dramatically changed. Christians too often get around with the filth of the world attached to them but that is disgusting. The word holiness (from “hagios”) primarily means separation. We are separated from the world and separated to God. We belong to Him alone. Our whole lives should reflect a separation from sin and sinful habits and compromise.
Only the holy ones can stand in God’s presence. Do you remember how it was with Moses on Horeb? Moses could see only partially the glory of God. There is a close connection with holi-ness and glory. Let us see where the question is now answered.
[C]. AN ANSWERING VOICE:
{{Psalm 24:4 “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to false-hood, and has not sworn deceitfully.”}}
Verse 4. The Answer. The answer is given as a type of response. The person who can qualify to ascend to God and stand in His presence is the one who must meet four criteria. What are they?
What does each of the four entail? (a). “Clean hands”. That relates to action. Activities that don’t please God are outside of holiness introduced in the previous verse. (b). “A pure heart”. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked or as it is in the NASB – {{Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick. Who can understand it? Jer 17:10 “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.”}} The clean heart can only come through con-version when a person is born gain. (c). “Falsehood”. Israel was full of falsehood and we are even worse as we move to the end of the Church age. Liars and deceivers and those who cheat and do all manner of evils will have no part with God. (d). “Not sworn deceitfully”. Blatant liars who testify to something they know is false. They swear to it. A lot of politicians and public servants are in this category.
There is a prophetic element here as well. We must never forget that this is a Psalm that has its realisation after the Second Coming when the Lord returns to Jerusalem. The Lord returns to His own Jewish people who have come through the Great Tribulation in much distress. These are the righteous ones who qualify, and when the Messiah arrives, they will go with Him to Zion.
[D]. THE CHORUS OF THE PROCESSION:
{{Psalm 24:5 “He shall receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face - even Jacob. Selah.”}}
Verses 5 – 6. Blessing. Blessings follow for those who qualify to meet God on His holy ground on His terms. What is the blessing? The blessing could be many things but all are connected. It means being in the presence of the Great King of Glory, and in a state of cleansing and ac-ceptance. That in itself is magnificence. Then there is the second part – “and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” That is so wonderful to have salvation in righteousness. What a blessing that will be for us one day, but this Psalm is not written to the Church. It has its realisa-tion at the Second Coming of Messiah for those Jewish believers of the Tribulation.
Can you see there needs to be an individual effort in seeking God, especially verse 6. People are too lazy to seek after God; Too rebellious; Too sinful. Do you have a panting desire to seek God – see Psalm 42 v 1? There is a hint in verse 6 of the believing remnant of Jews in the Tribulation who will seek the Lord’s face and are waiting for the King to return.
[E]. ON ENTERING ZION, THE CHORUS SINGS:
{{Psalm 24:7 “Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glo-ry may come in!”}}
Verses 7. Messianic and Prophetic. This Messianic Psalm now presents the Lord Jesus Christ as the victorious Lord and King of Glory. He returns victorious from Calvary in Psalm 22 and has granted victory for David in his battles too, as shadows of His fight for salvation at the cross 1000 years later. The King of Glory will be entering in so the Chorus is demanding the Gates of Jerusa-lem be opened to receive the King of Glory.
The battles against the enemy are over, the ark of the covenant is brought up to Jerusalem by David in great majesty. This is all the forerunner of when the great ARK of God, who is Messiah Jesus Christ, will return to Jerusalem all victorious after the battle of Armageddon and enter the holy place. He will pass through the gates of Jerusalem in great victory to reign over the whole earth as Zechariah 14 describes.
[F]. A VOICE FROM THE GATES:
{{Psalm 24:8 “Who is the King of glory?”}}
Verse 8. The question comes from the Gates and Doors, “Who is the King of Glory?” They have been commanded to open up for the great King and now the question – “Who is that great King?”
[G]. THE ANSWERING CHORUS:
{{Psalm 24:8-9 “The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!”}}
Verses 8 and 9. We now have the answer to that question. It then has a repeated demand, stronger this time. Open up! In the reply something extra is added – “The LORD strong and mighty in battle.” “The LORD” is Jehovah (Yah-weh). We know this to be the Lord Jesus Christ for Jehovah of the Old Testament is Jesus on the New Testament. There is added with that “strong and mighty, the LORD in battle.” Yes! This one has come from the great battle in the valley of Jezreel the one of Har’magedon, otherwise knows as Armageddon. This great battle is described in Revelation chapter 19 but I am going to quote this only from that chapter – {{Reve-lation 19:13 “He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood and His name is called The Word of God. Rev 19:14 The armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. Rev 19:15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword so that with it He may smite the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron, and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. Rev 19:16 On His robe and on His thigh He has a name writ-ten, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”}}
The answer given by the Chorus describes this Glorious King strong and mighty in battle. It is the blessed Lord Jesus who will enter Jerusalem to end the Tribulation, and who will reign from Jeru-salem.
There are two memorial hills in Jerusalem – Mount Zion on one side with the royal palace was David’s home and joy, and Mount Moriah on the other side, site of the temple. One was the place of the king and the other the place of the priest. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns He comes as the King-Priest and this psalm will have absolute relevance. The gates of the city will spring wide open, and maybe rise up to welcome the victorious King when the Lord returns, and the temple doors will open to receive the eternal Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
[H]. ANOTHER VOICE:
{{Psalm 24:10 “Who is this King of glory?”}}
Verse 10. We now have the repeats for emphasis just in case we missed it all! The question is asked.
[I]. THE ANSWERING CHORUS:
{{Psalm 24:10 “The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.”}}
Verse 10. The answer is also a repeat. The LORD of Hosts. That term is used for the One who controls the armies of heaven, the hosts of heaven. He has just come with the hosts of heaven to the battle of Armageddon in verse 14 above from Revelation 19. This one is THE KING OF GLORY. Yes, glorious in victory that will end all human rule through the ages. This is the end of the age. The wonderful Millennial Kingdom is to be them set up.
In no other place of Scripture is the term “The King of Glory” used, but there are passages touch-ing on glory with the Lord in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 2 v 8; 2 Corinthians 4 v 6; 1 Timothy 1 v 17; Titus 2 v 13; 2 Peter 1 v 7; Revelation 1 v 6; 5 v 13.
THUS HE RETURNS TO ISRAEL AS THE NATION’S REDEEMER, THE NATION’S SHEPHERD, THE NA-TION’S KING-PRIEST. THE TRILOGY OF PSALMS SPEAKS OF THE SUFFERER, THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SOVEREIGN. PRAISE GOD. Amen!
ronaldf@aapt.net.au
