OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Sermons Next  Click to download Audio

THE KING OF GLORY SHALL COME IN

Psalm 24 (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     On two occasions, David attempted to bring the ark of the covenant into the city of Jerusalem.

1.       The first time, he was not successful.  Why?  He did not follow the due order (1 Chron. 15:13).

 

For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.

 

a.       The ark was supposed to be carried on the shoulders of the priests.

b.      Instead, the ark was transported toward Jerusalem on a cart pulled by oxen.

c.       The oxen stumbled.  Uzzah touched the ark.  He was immediately smitten by God.

d.      This brought the procession to a halt.

e.       A day that should have been filled with rejoicing turned into a day of sorrow and grief.

1)      A priest did not go home to his family.

2)      The ark of God did not enter the city of Jerusalem.

2.       The second time, he was successful.  David and all Israel rejoiced on that day (2 Sam. 6:15).

 

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

 

3.       We know that there were some of the Levites who were appointed to be singers on that day (1 Chron. 15:16).

 

And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be singers with instruments of music; psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

 

B.      There are many who believe that Psalm 24 was part of the glorious procession that entered into Jerusalem following the ark of God. 

1.       The psalm is said to have been written by David (see the title:  “A Psalm of David).

2.       Two times in the psalm we have these words:  “Lift up your head, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors” (vs. 7, 9), referring to the gates of the city of Jerusalem.

3.       But, look specifically at Psalm 24:3.  A question is asked:

 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  or who shall stand in his holy place.

 

a.       Jerusalem was a city built on seven hills.

 

Jerusalem's Seven Hills Map

b.      To bring the ark into the city, there would be an ascent into the city.

 

See the source image

 

c.       David was asking:  “Who is worthy to make such an approach?”

 

C.     In the last 4 verses, we read the words, “the King of glory” five (5) times. 

1.       Thus, we have entitled the psalm:  “The King of Glory Shall Come In.”

2.       We know that on the day the ark entered into the Holy City, two kings were there:  God, the King of the Universe; and David, the king of Israel.

3.       Some believe another king is also being referenced:  Jesus, the King of kings.  The reason is because the words of the psalm are too exalted and too extravagant to refer to this one event alone.  Thus, some believe it is also a Messianic Psalm.

 

I.                    THE PROPRIETOR (Ps. 24:1-2)

 

A.     The Owner (v.1)

 

The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

 

1.       David knows the ark houses the presence of God.  Thus, he begins the psalm honoring Him.

2.       God is the proprietor, the owner of all that is in the world. 

a.       This includes the non-living material and living inhabitants (See Ps. 50:10).

 

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

 

b.      It includes man himself (Job 41:11).

 

…whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.

 

c.       One has said that all we ever possess are title deeds to our possessions that last for a short time.  Nothing we possess is truly ours.

3.       The reason “the earth is the Lord’s” is because He is the Creator of all things.

a.       We read about that Creation in Genesis 1.

b.      Exodus 20:11 sums all of Genesis 1 in a few words.

 

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is…

 

B.      The Organizer (v. 2)

 

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

 

1.       As we read this verse, we might call to mind Genesis 1:9-10.

 

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.   And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. 

2.       When we look at a map of the world, most of the continents appear to be surrounded by oceans as if they are built upon them.

 

World Map - Political Map of the World - Nations Online Project

 

3.       It was God who founded and organized the Earth.

a.       Today, we have fearmongers who want us to believe that the Earth is fragile and that the land could ultimately get swallowed by the seas.

b.      Not so! (Job 38:8; Ps. 104:9; Prov. 8:29; Jer. 5:22)

 

When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth.

 

4.       We have nothing to fear regarding the welfare of this planet. 

a.       Because of a statement like this, some would charge that we are climate-change deniers. 

1)      We are not.  We agree that the climate changes.    

2)      But, We are also promise of God believers.

a)      God said that He created the earth to be inhabited (Isa. 45:18).

b)      He has told us that this earth will remain as man’s dwelling place until He sends His Son and destroys the heaven and earth (2 Pet. 3:10).

b.      This does not mean that we should cease to be good stewards of this planet.  Remember, it is not ours; it is God’s.

 

II.                 THE PRIVILEGED (Ps. 24:3-6)

 

A.     The Observation (v. 3)

 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  or who shall stand in his holy place?

 

1.       David is taking the ark that houses the presence of God and is going to have it placed into the Holy of holies in the tabernacle he has prepared.

2.       The task boggles the mind.  The psalmist is asking:  “Who has the right to be in the presence of such a holy God?”

3.       If all we had at this point were verses 1 and 2, we would have to say:  “No one.”

a.       As the created, we have nothing about which to boast that would give us right to be in the presence of God.

b.      As sinners, we certainly do not have the right to ascend into the hill of the Lord or stand in His holy place.

4.       But, there are certain people to whom God grants the privilege of being in His presence.  These individuals meet some obligations set forth by God.

 

B.      The Obligations (v. 4)

 

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

 

1.       Pristine Actions:  He hath clean hands

a.       Hands are the part of the body that engage in works and deeds.

b.      The one who can ascend into the hill of the Lord must have clean hands.

1)      His works must be free from pollution.

2)      His works cannot involve things that are sinful.

3)      His works must be minus any contaminates.

2.       Pure Heart:  …and a pure heart

a.       The heart involves the inside of the individual.

b.      There are times when the outward actions are pure, but they are done from impure motives.

c.       Too, hearts can often be hidden from others. 

d.      Pure hearts involve motives, agendas, purposes, plans, and inward thoughts.

3.       No Powerless Involvement:  …who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity

a.       Vanity:  emptiness, nothingness, worthlessness, lying, evil, falsehood, idolatry

b.      David is not talking about perfection.  He is speaking of those who “lift up their soul” to vanity.

c.       They live lives that are filled with sin, perverseness, falsehoods, or the worship of idols. 

4.       Principled Tongue:  …nor sworn deceitfully.

a.       Here is a man of honor.

b.      His tongue proclaims his honest character. 

c.       No fraud.  No false accusations.  No evil speaking, blasphemy, slander, or gossip.

d.      His “yea” is “yea,” and, his “nay” is “nay.”

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Remember, David is carrying the ark of God into Jerusalem.

 

B.      Did you know that the Jews looked upon Jerusalem as a type of Heaven.

1.       It is the dwelling place of God.

2.       It houses the temple of God.

3.       It is to this city the Jews were called to worship their God.

 

C.     Presently, we are on our ascent to Jerusalem.  What will it take for us to go there?

1.       Clean hands.

2.       Pure heart

3.       Hath not lifted up our souls unto vanity

4.       Have not sworn deceitfully