Psalm 24 Devotional. [11]

Psalm 24

Albeit the Lord God hath made, and governeth all the world, yet toward his chosen people, his gracious goodness doth most abundantly appear, in that among them he will have his dwelling place. Which thought it was appointed among the children of Abraham, yet only they do enter aright into this Sanctuary, which are the true worshippers of God, purged from the sinful filth of this world. Finally he magnifieth Gods grace for the building of the Temple, to the end he might stir up all the faithful to the true service of God.

A Psalm of David.

1. The earth is the Lords, and all that therein is; the world, and they that dwell in it.
2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place?
4. Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall 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 ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

We saw previously the covenantal nature of this Psalm, as well as the ecclesiastical duties of the Christian so called out of the world and into a life of piety and devotion. For the Christian who is born of God knows His place is among the people of God and needs no forceful exhortation to excite him to it. As the babe so yearns for the mother’s milk, so the Christian, even newborn for the pure milk of the word. Therefore seeing they acknowledge that they grow, live and make progress in faith by means of the word, these exhortations are more for contrast, encouragement and declaration more than a hortatory remark. For contrast because those who do not seek the face of God are not of Jacob. For encouragement because when the word of God commands an action, though it be necessary for our very life, we are enlived and enabled by it to continue to do so with delight. And declaration because God would have His people known by their character, and the performance of His law. Therefore although it be a very necessary thing for us and an impossibility of a non-performance for those who seek God’s face, yet it must be spoken else we would have neither authority nor power for the performance and maintenance thereof. We should also note closely the immediately following verses, for they are more than remarkable. The Psalm says, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye 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.” Which refers to the very object of our faith, and that which is the principal subject of all the preaching of the ministers in the church. See then how this Psalm begins with the prospect of judgment and ends with triumph. It begins with, “The Lord hath made all things for Himself and will destroy the world with fire, as He did with flood, therefore who can behold Him when He comes? Who may dwell before His majesty? Even he who hath cleans hands and a pure heart who hath not sold himself to idolatry, nor sworn to the hurt of his neighbor. But who hath all this? no one but the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore Behold Him! Behold Him that is your salvation who is glorious and pure on your behalf. Behold the Lord of Hosts who hath not only drowned Pharaoh in the Sea, but your sins also, and shall do the same to all thy enemies that oppress thee.” As it is also written in the prophets, “I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.” and again, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” Therefore we see from this passage that the object of faith is the word of God, or the doctrine contained in the word concerning the Son of God Jesus Christ who died and rose again that we might be freed from sin and enlightened by His Holy Spirit enabled to see the glorious work of His salvation. God is known by His works, as it is written, therefore that doctrine which denies His work, denies also His person. And, “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” If therefore we would have the doctrine which cometh of God, it must be in conformity with the purpose, and work of the Son which is essential to His person. If the efficacious power of His atonement is denied by which He powerfully saves His elect, and redeems them from sin, His person is little accounted of. Let us therefore come unto His throne and worship Him according to acceptable doctrine, for by this we know we are His people, when we love Him and keep His word.

Calvin

The magnificent and splendid structure of the temple, in which there was more outward majesty than in the tabernacle, not being yet erected, David here speaks of the future building of it. By doing this, he encourages the pious Israelites to employ themselves more willingly, and with greater confidence, in the ceremonial observances of the law. It was no ordinary token of the goodness of God that he condescended to dwell in the midst of them by a visible symbol of his presence, and was willing that his heavenly dwelling-place should be seen upon earth. This doctrine ought to be of use to us at this day; for it is an instance of the inestimable grace of God, that so far as the infirmity of our flesh will permit, we are lifted up even to God by the exercises of religion. What is the design of the preaching of the word, the sacraments, the holy assemblies, and the whole external government of the church, but that we may be united to God? It is not, therefore, without good reason that David extols so highly the service of God appointed in the law, seeing God exhibited himself to his saints in the ark of the covenant, and thereby gave them a certain pledge of speedy succor whenever they should invoke him for aid. God, it is true, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, nor does he take delight in outward pomp; but as it was useful, and as it was also the pleasure of God, that his ancient people, who were rude, and still in their infancy, should be lifted up to him by earthly elements, David does not here hesitate to set forth to them, for the confirmation of their faith, the sumptuous building of the temple, to assure them that it was not a useless theater; but that when they rightly worshipped God in it, according to the appointment of his word, they stood as it were in his presence, and would actually experience that he was near them. The amount of what is stated is, that in proportion as the temple which God had commanded to be built to him upon mount Sion, surpassed the tabernacle in magnificence, it would be so much the brighter a mirror of the glory and power of God dwelling among the Jews. In the meantime, as David himself burned with intense desire for the erection of the temple, so he wished to inflame the hearts of all the godly with the same ardent desire, that, aided by the rudiments of the law, they might make more and more progress in the fear of God. He terms the gates, everlasting, because the promise of God secured their continual stability. The temple excelled in materials and in workmanship, but its chief excellence consisted in this, that the promise of God was engraven upon it, as we shall see in Psalms 132:14, This is my rest for ever. In terming the gates everlasting, the Psalmist, at the same time, I have no doubt, makes a tacit contrast between the tabernacle and the temple. The tabernacle never had any certain abiding place, but being from time to time transported from one place to another, was like a wayfaring man. When, however, mount Sion was chosen, and the temple built, God then began to have there a certain and fixed place of abode. By the coming of Christ, that visible shadow vanished, and it is therefore not wonderful that the temple is no longer to be seen upon mount Sion, seeing it is now so great as to occupy the whole world. If it is objected, that at the time of the Babylonish captivity the gates which Solomon had built were demolished, I answer, Gods decree stood fast, notwithstanding that temporary overthrow; and by virtue of it, the temple was soon after rebuilt; which was the same as if it had always continued entire.

Opening Prayer.

Intro.

Vincent.

Q. 3. Why was the word of God put into scriptures, or writings?

A. 1. That the history and doctrine of the word might be the better conveyed down to posterity; for if the word revealed to holy men so many ages since, had been in-trusted only unto the memories of men, by tradition to hand it down from one generation to another (supposing the persons with whom the word was entrusted were faithful), yet the memories of men being weak and unfaithful, many truths, in all likelihood, would have been lost by this time; therefore there was not a more sure way of making known the grace of God unto future ages, than by committing the word of God to writing. “This second epistle I write unto you in way of remembrance.”” 2 Pet. 3:1.

2. That the gospel made known in the word might the better be propagated in several nations. Reports of others would not so easily have been believed, as the writings of the prophets and apostles themselves, unto whom the word was revealed.
3. That there might be in the Church a standing rule of faith and life, according to which all doctrines might be examined, and all actions might be ordered; and, by consequence, that corrupt principles and corrupt practices might be prevented, which the minds and hearts of men are prone unto, and would have the more seeming pretense for, were there not express Scripture against both. “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20.

Matthew Henry.

Q. 2. What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?

A. The word of God (which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament) is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

1. Do we need a rule to direct us to our chief end? Yes: for we all like sheep have gone astray, Isa. 53:6. Could we not find it out of ourselves? No: for man is born like the wild ass’s colt, Job 11:12.
2. Is divine revelation necessary to religion? Yes: for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Rom. 10:17. Is not the light of nature sufficient without it? No: for the world by wisdom knew not God, 1 Cor. 1:21. Has God therefore given us a revelation? Yes: he hath showed thee, O man, what is good, Mic. 6:3. Was there revelation from the beginning? Yes: at sundry times, and in divers manners, God spake unto the fathers, Heb. 1:1.
3. Are the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament the word of God, and a divine revelation? Yes: for all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, 2 Tim. 3:16. Were they indited by the blessed Spirit? Yes: for holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. 1:21. Were they confirmed by miracles? Yes; God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders, Heb. 2:4. Do they recommend themselves? Yes; for the word of God is quick and powerful, Heb. 4:12. Is not the Bible then a cheat put upon the world? No: for these are not the words of him that hath a devil, John 10:21.
4. Was the book of the Scripture written for our use? Yes: whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, Rom. 15:4. And is it of great use? Yes: for it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Tim. 3:16.
5. Are the Scriptures the great support of our religion? Yes: for we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Eph. 2:20. Are they the standing rule of our faith and practice? Yes: we first have recourse to the law and to the testimony. Isa. 8:20. Are they the only rule? Yes: for other foundation can no man lay, 1 Cor. 3:11. Are they our guide? Yes: for the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light, Prov. 6:23. Do they show us the way to heaven and happiness? Yes: for in them we thing we have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Christ, John 5:39.
6. Are the Scriptures our oracle which we must consult? Yes: What is written in the law, how readest thou? Luke 10:26. Are they our touchstone which we must try by? Yes: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, Isaiah 8:20. Are they the weapons of our spiritual warfare? Yes: Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Matthew 6:10; Ephesians 6:17.
7. Is the written word a sufficient rule? Yes: for the law of the Lord is perfect, Psalm 19:7. Is it plain? Yes: for the word is nigh thee, Romans 10:8. Is the church’s authority the rule of our faith? No: for our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, 1 Corinthians 2:5. May we depend upon unwritten traditions? No: for we must refuse profane and old wives’ fables, 1 Timothy 4:7.
8. Will the written word be the rule of our judgment hereafter? Yes: for we must be judged by the law of liberty, James 2:12. Ought we therefore to be ruled by it now? Yes: as many as walk according to this rule, peace shall be on them, Galatians 6:16. And to be comforted by it? Yes: for through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we have hope, Romans 15:4.
9. Are the Scriptures to be translated into vulgar tongues? Yes: for we should hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God, Acts 2:11. And must we study them? Yes: Search the Scriptures, John 5:39. And labour to understand them? Yes: Understandest thou what thou readest? Acts 8:30. And must we rest satisfied with this revelation of God’s will? Yes: for if we believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would we be persuaded though one rose from the dead, Luke 16:31. Is it a great affront to God to neglect his word? Yes: I have written unto them the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing, Hosea 8:12.
10. Must little children get the knowledge of the Scripture? Yes: Timothy is commended for this, that from a child he knew the Holy Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:15. And must their parents instruct them therein? Yes: they must teach them diligently unto their children, and talk of them, Deuteronomy 6:7.
11. Must we all love the word of God? Yes: O how love I thy law! And must we meditate therein? Yes: It is my meditation all the day, Psalm 119:97. And will this be to our own advantage? Yes: for it is able to make us wise to salvation, 2 Timothy 3:15.

Lesson.

1. The former ways of God revealing Himself to His people.
   • i. Direct Communication. Gen. 3:9-10
   • ii. Dreams and Visions. Gen. 20:3, Gen. 41:1-7, Acts 10:9-16
   • iii. Theophanies. Gen 18:1-2, Josh. 5:13-15
   • iv. Angels. Gen 19:1
   • v. Signs and wonders. Ex. 4:2-4, Judg 6:36-40, 1 Ki. 18:38-39
   • vi. Urim and Thummim. 1 Sam. 28:6
   • vii. The Prophets. Isa. 6. Jer. 1:9, Mal. 1:1, Heb. 1:1
   • viii. Christ the Word of God, the fulfillment of all. John 1:14, 14:9, Heb. 1:1-3, Rev. 22:18-21

Conclusion.

Closing Prayer.

Youtube Audio: https://youtu.be/bVjcfLXlXF4