Psalm 24 explained: Who May Come Near the King

The world belongs to God (vv. 1-2)

The psalm opens by saying that the earth, everything in it and every person on it belongs to the LORD, because he made it. The picture of land set firmly on the seas echoes the creation story, where God gathers the waters so dry ground can appear.

Who may climb God's hill (vv. 3-4)

The hill meant here is the one in Jerusalem where God's house of worship stood. The answer pairs clean hands, meaning right actions, with a pure heart, meaning honest motives, and adds turning away from what is false, whether idols or dishonest oaths.

Those who seek God (vv. 5-6)

People like this receive blessing from the God who saves them, along with a gift the translations render differently, as being shown to be in the right or as goodness given by God. They are the true company who seek God's presence, and "Jacob" likely stands for God's people as a whole, named after their ancestor.

Open the gates for the King (vv. 7-10)

The city gates are told to lift their heads, as if they were too small for the great King about to enter, and a voice asks who he is. Many think this was sung in a procession, perhaps when the sacred chest that stood for God's presence was carried into Jerusalem, though scholars are not certain; Christians have also read it as a picture of Jesus rising into heaven.

Key verse: Psalm 24:1

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the King entering the gates should be read mainly as a song about God in ancient Jerusalem or mainly as a prophecy about Christ.

Something to think about

Can a person's actions look clean while their motives are not, and which matters more to you in someone you trust?