Summary
Can anyone enter God’s presence, whether or not they are sinners? Or only those who are allowed, because they meet the standard required? For some people, the answer to this question might be similar to going to meet the Queen – with the right standard of dress. But Scripture teaches that it is only in Christ that we are able to enter into God’s presence, clothed in Christ’s righteousness.
Psalm 24, a “temple entry” psalm, talks of the standard needed to meet the King of Glory. It teaches us that Christ as our representative gives us the clean hands and pure hearts to enter the Creator-King’s presence. This Psalm reminds us of the King of Glory’s wonder, the King of Glory’s dress standard, and the King of Glory’s victory.
Our passage explained
v1-2
In the first two verses of Psalm 24 we are reminded of the King of Glory’s wonder. Verse one teaches us that “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein”. The earth belongs to God, and everything in it too. God is the ultimate “owner” of everything, whether land, sea, animals, or us.
God’s ownership is because of his authorship. In verse two, the reason God owns everything is because “he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers” referring back to the Creation account in Genesis 1. God made everything, so he owns it all, not just one part of the earth but everything. This demonstrates the King of Glory’s wonder; he is the Creator-King.
v3-5
So if the King of Glory is of such great wonder, we need to meet his “dress standard” when we meet him. This dress standard is explained in verses three to six. Verse three transitions to a picture of the leader of God’s People leading his people up towards the temple to worship God. It asks “who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?”
The answer to this question is provided in verse four, which describes four characteristics of the pure worshippers who may come into the King of Glory’s presence. “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” (v.4). Pure actions and thoughts are necessary, along with avoiding idol worship and a life of falsehood. These characteristics resemble the two great commandments (Mark 12:28-31).
Since the standard required is absolute moral perfection, we cannot meet the standard. Thankfully, in verse five, we see that the right clothes are given to us by God. “He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” The one who seeks to enter God’s presence will receive the necessary blessing and righteousness from God, who saves them.
v6-7 & 9
As a result, the leader of God’s people in verse six can respond to the questioner of verse three, saying “such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.” The true worshippers who follow the leader to God’s presence (seeking God’s face) are clothed in righteousness from God, and so may enter in.
Having received permission to enter, God’s people may sing of the King of Glory’s victory, which is referred to in verses seven to ten. The gatekeeper commands that the gates “be lifted up” so that “the King of glory may come in” (vv.7, 9). This may be referring to the return of the Ark of the Covenant from battle (symbolising God’s presence with his army), representing God returning to his dwelling place like a successful king from war.
v8-10
The King of Glory’s identity is confirmed in verse eight, where we read that he is “The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!” (v.8). This is confirmed in verse ten, where the King of Glory is confirmed as “The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!” (v.10). The King of Glory, who made all things and makes true worshippers clean, is the God of great armies leading to victory over all who oppose his reign.
Our passage applied
This psalm makes clear that it is God who made everything, including us. Because we were made by him, we are his possession, and should both praise him and obey his commands. This command extends to all creatures of our God and King, everywhere at every time.
That we do not do so means we do not meet God’s “dress standard” to enter into his presence. But as verse five reminds us, we are given the right clothes of righteousness by God, our Saviour. These clothes are the righteousness of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:21), who is the only man who truly met the standard of verse four.
Through those clothes, we have peace with God and “have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Romans 5:2) to rejoice in the victory of God our Saviour over sin, death, and all who oppose his righteous reign.
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