Psalm 24 — How do we approach God?

A Psalm of David.

1 The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof;
The world, and they that dwell therein.
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 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity,
And hath not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek after him,
That seek thy face, O God of 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 the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
yea, 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

There is a lot of movement from idea to idea in this psalm. It begins with the grand sovereignty of the Lord, continues with the purity demanded of his people, and concludes with the approach of the King of Glory toward the Lord. It is a grand view within a mere ten verses.

Where do you find yourself in this psalm? Can you see your smallness in the great expansive presence and power of God? It is he who holds all creation in his hands. He founded it all. We are mere objects within his handiwork.

Thus, being mere creations of a great God, any desire to approach our creator. must be in humility and purity. One cannot lift dirty hands in praise or prayer. One cannot give God a soul that is corrupt. Nor can one expect any blessing apart from the creator of all blessings.

And here comes the King of Glory! If we in our fear of impurity have a hard time approaching God, the King of Glory must be good indeed. The gates open to welcome his come. The doors lift and the mighty one shall come in, victorious from battle. God thus welcomes our Savior, leading the way for our entry into our eternal home.