PSALM 24

The King of Glory and His Kingdom

 

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.

Lift up your heads… And be lifted up! And the King of glory shall come in.   Psalm 24:4-7

Clean hands refers to right actions, and a pure heart refers to a right attitude and will. Only those who do not worship an idol can be true worshipers, and can walk by faith in integrity.

 The lesson is followed by the affirmation that those who seek after God will be blessed with righteousness. 

A Psalm of David 

 ¹     The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

²     for he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the waters.

³     Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?

Who may stand in his holy place?

⁴     He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to an idol

or swear by what is false.

⁵     He will receive blessing from the Lord

and vindication from God his Savior.

⁶     Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek your face, O God of Jacob.     Selah

⁷     Lift up your heads, O you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

⁸     Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

⁹     Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

¹⁰     Who is he, this King of glory?

The Lord Almighty—

he is the King of glory.   Selah
 

 It was necessary to cleanse the land if the Spirit of God was to be at rest with His people.  This, is making a way for the coming Messiah.  This Psalm represents the image of all people dwelling in the very presence of God.  It specifies who is qualified to enter the city of David.
  

John the Baptist announced the arrival of the coming Messiah. “Hear the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’ ” Matthew 3:1-12

Their will be a third time when this scene takes place--at the second coming of Christ.  We are told in Revelation that God's temple would be trampled on by the nations for 42 months. During that period, for 1,260 days two witnesses would be granted authority to prophesy. They are described as two olive trees and two lampstands who stand before the Lord of the earth. Revelation 1:1-6 
 

The Lord is our glorious King who is coming. Only pure worshipers can enjoy His presence.