> [[psalm-23|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-25|Next →]] --- # Psalm 24 ## The Glory of God in Procession to Zion 1 A psalm of David. ^psalm-24-1 ### I The earth is the LORD’s and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it on the seas, ^psalm-24-2 established it over the rivers. ### II 3 Who may go up the mountain of the LORD? ^psalm-24-3 Who can stand in his holy place? 4 “The clean of hand and pure of heart, ^psalm-24-4 who has not given his soul to useless things, what is vain. 5 He will receive blessings from the LORD, ^psalm-24-5 and justice from his saving God. 6 Such is the generation that seeks him, ^psalm-24-6 that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.” *Selah* ### III 7 Lift up your heads, O gates; ^psalm-24-7 be lifted, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter. 8 Who is this king of glory? ^psalm-24-8 The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in war. 9 Lift up your heads, O gates; ^psalm-24-9 rise up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter. 10 Who is this king of glory? ^psalm-24-10 The LORD of hosts, he is the king of glory. *Selah* \* (Psalm 24) The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (([[psalm-24|Ps 24]]:1] – [2]). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (([[psalm-24|Ps 24]]:3] – [6]; cf. [Ps 15]). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (([[psalm-24|Ps 24]]:7] – [10]). \* (24:4] – [5) Lit., “the one whose hands are clean.” The singular is used for the entire class of worshipers. \* (24:7], [9) Lift up your heads, O gates... you ancient portals: the literal meaning would involve disassembly of the gates, since the portcullis (a gate that moves up and down) was unknown in the ancient world. Extra-biblical parallels might also suggest a full personification of the circle of gate towers: they are like a council of elders, bowed down and anxious, awaiting the return of the army and the great warrior gone to battle. a. (24:1) [Ps 50:12]; [89:12]; [Dt 10:14]; [[1-corinthians-10|1 Cor 10]]:thians-10|1 Cor 10]]:26]. b. (24:2) [Ps 136:6]; [Is 42:5]. c. (24:3) ([[psalm-15|Ps 15]]:1]. d. (24:7) [Ps 118:19] – [20]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-23|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-25|Next →]]