This week’s “Wednesday Word” is a summary of an exposition of Psalm 24 by student teacher, David Schrock, from Sunday July 7, 2008.

The tension of a dual kingship runs throughout the psalter and specifically here in Psalm 24. Though David rules over Israel as king, he only does so on the basis that he has been established as such by Israel’s true king, the Lord God himself. As David writes, he is clearly aware of the source of his own seat of power.

In verses 1 and 2, David harkens back to the beginning of time, recalling the words of Moses from Genesis 1 in order to celebrate the Lord God as the creator of all that exists. This creation theme is picked up throughout the rest of the psalter, acknowledging that God will redeem that which he has created (Psalm 89:8).

In verse 3 the psalm shifts from the ends of the earth to the focal point of Mt. Zion. David asks, “Who shall ascend the Hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his Holy Place?” The answer is clear: only he who has clean hands and a pure heart. Clearly, if one seeks to travel this path, his life must be marked with obedience. Indeed, all of humanity will fail to achieve this righteous standard. Only in Christ is the type of perfect obedience sought after here in Psalm 24 made possible. King Jesus will ascend the hill of the Lord, and by his grace a trail of his captives will follow behind him (Ps 68:18).

The psalm closes remembering the Exodus, the deliverance of the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by the mighty hand of the Yahweh. In the past, He has proved himself faithful to deliver his people, and on this basis, all of humanity shall anticipate his future deliverance. This King of Glory who has created all that exists, who has redeemed his people in the past, will assuredly redeem the rest of humanity and the rest of his creation.

Audio from this week’s lesson: Psalm 24

~TDG