Psalm 24--The King of Glory

Psalm 24
English Standard Version
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The King of Glory
A Psalm of David.
24 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof,
    the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers.
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3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The LORD, strong and mighty,
    the LORD, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
    The LORD of hosts,
    he is the King of glory! Selah

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The first "stanza" of this psalm reminds us that God is ruler of all because He is Creator of all.  The earth is the LORD's and everything in it--the world and all who dwell therein.  David even goes back to the account of Genesis 1 where "the earth was formless and empty and darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters" when David reminds us, "He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."

The next stanza reminds us of God's holiness and how none of us by our own merits can ascend to heaven where the LORD dwells (Mount Zion, the hill of the LORD and His holy temple are sometimes used metaphorically to describe heaven and God's throne and kingdom).  Who is the only one who can come boldly into the presence of the LORD?  The one with clean hands (right actions) and a clean heart (right belief).  They must belong fully to God and not swear deceitfully (that is not make promises that they don't intend to keep).  Such a man also does not worship anyone or anything "false" (that is anyone or anything other than the LORD--the one true God of Israel).  Such a man, only this way because he has been changed by the gospel, will receive righteousness and salvation from the LORD.

The last stanza reminds us to celebrate and worship as we make preparations for the King.  David here was probably concerned with the First Advent of Jesus, but we can obey this passage as we prepare for the Second Advent.  He will come as The Lord of Hosts, the Captain of the LORD's Army and will defeat all of His enemies.  He is the King of Glory.  We can cry like the people on Palm Sunday, "Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD."