Text: Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah1 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! And lift them up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.
Devotion
David wrote this psalm for bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Zion. Thus the King of Glory Himself came there, for the Ark and the mercy-seat were the Lord’s throne in Israel.
This King of Glory is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ who comes to us, full of grace and truth, and draws near to Zion, the Christian Church, with His holy Gospel. He is the Lord of the whole world. He sets limits for the harsh waves of the ocean, and the hosts of heaven obey His commands. The Prince of our Salvation is the Lord of Hosts. The world’s gates open for Him, and He draws near with victory over death and hell.
But who ascends His mountain? Who has fellowship with the Holy One? Only Jacob’s children, the true believers, no one else – not those who are Christian in name only, not those who are “saints” only on Sunday, but only sincere, true, and honest souls. Could Jesus Christ be the King of hypocrites and liars, of heartless, cold, impure people, or of arrogant, haughty, and self-righteous minds? Can such be the people of the Holy One? O that you would still hear! Let no one deceive himself! But neither let anyone despair who looks on his own sin with sorrow and sadness. The poor who want to be saved receive righteousness and purity from the King of Glory Himself. Whoever truly confesses his sins and wants to be sanctified He will surely not disown. It is precisely for such people that He has built His Zion, and of such He makes for Himself His holy and glorious people.
Closing Prayer
Test me, O God, and search my heart, test me and see if I am of the truth. You know how prone I am to delude myself. Preserve me from this, and give me a sincere heart. You know that this is my sincere prayer. Let me truly belong to Your people. Amen.
Hymn
Fling wide the portals of your heart,
Prepare a temple set apart
From earthly use for heav’n’s employ
Adorned with prayer and love and joy
For lo, your Savior and your King
Salvation, life, and peace doth bring.
To Thee, O God, be praise
For word and deed and grace!
Redeemer, come, and open wide
My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide!
Let me Thy gracious presence feel,
Thy peace and love to all reveal;
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on
Until our glorious goal is won.
Eternal praise and fame
We offer to Thy name.
Weissel: Lift up your heads L 97:6-8. ELH 92:4-5 tr. C. Winkworth, alt.;
tune: Macht hoch die Tür