Open Up The Gates!

Psalm 24

A psalm of David.

1The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.

The world and all its people belong to him.

2For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas

and built it on the ocean depths.

3Who may climb the mountain of the LORD?

Who may stand in his holy place?

4Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,

who do not worship idols

and never tell lies.

5They will receive the LORD’s blessing

and have right standing with God their savior.

6They alone may enter God’s presence

and worship the God of Israel.

Interlude

7Open up, ancient gates!

Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

8Who is the King of glory?

The LORD, strong and mighty,

the LORD, invincible in battle.

9Open up, ancient gates!

Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

10Who is the King of glory?

The LORD Almighty—

he is the King of glory.

Interlude

This psalm may have been written in honor of the Ark coming at last to Mount Zion (1 Chronicles 13:8), but that’s only part of the story.

For the Israelite, the excitement as well as the pageantry must have been overwhelming, far greater than any opening ceremony of the Olympic Games (see 1 Chronicles 15–16). Ever since the Ark had been built soon after the Exodus it had been in temporary quarters. Now in Jerusalem it would have a permanent home at last.

As it approached the city, the gates were commanded to open. The Ark came in, and King David came in, but the King of glory was still to come.

A thousand years later the King of glory came to this world as a lowly baby in Bethlehem, where David had been born. Jesus grew up and entered the ancient gates of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. A week later he was crucified and buried, but he rose again and “ascended higher than all the heavens, so that his rule might fill the entire universe” (Ephesians 4:10).

David called for the ancient doors to open and let the King of glory enter. Jesus wants us to open the doors to our heart and let him enter, for he is knocking (Revelation 3:20). Will you open the gate to him today?

The king of glory! Who can tell

The wonders of his might?

He rules the nations; but to dwell

With saints is his delight.

ISAAC WATTS

Psalm at a Glance

Psalms 22, 23, and 24 fit well together. Psalm 22 speaks of the Savior who suffered for us. Psalm 23 speaks of the Shepherd who guides us day by day. Psalm 24 speaks of the Sovereign Lord in glory. These psalms show us Jesus yesterday, today, and forever. In them we see the Cross, the Crook, and the Crown.

Notable Quotable

“If the earth is the Lord’s (verses 1-2), and he is holy (verses 3-6), the challenge to the ancient doors is a battle cry for the church [see 2 Corinthians 10:5-8].”

DEREK KIDNER