Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 24
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 24
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 24
"The earth is Jehovah`s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? And who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from Jehovah, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek after him, That seek thy face, [even] Jacob. Selah" — Psalms 24:1-6 (ASV)
We ourselves are not our own; our bodies, our souls, are not. Even those children of men who do not know him, nor acknowledge their relation to him, are God's. A soul that knows and considers its own nature, and that it must live forever, when it has viewed the earth and its fullness, will sit down unsatisfied.
It will think of ascending toward God, and will ask, What shall I do, so that I may abide in that happy, holy place, where he makes his people holy and happy? We make nothing of religion, if we do not make heart-work of it. We can only be cleansed from our sins, and renewed to holiness, by the blood of Christ and the washing of the Holy Ghost. Thus we become his people; thus we receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of our salvation.
God's peculiar people shall be made truly and forever happy. Where God gives righteousness, he intends salvation. Those who are made fit for heaven shall be brought safely to heaven, and will find what they have been seeking.
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in. Who is the King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in. Who is this King of glory? Jehovah of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah " — Psalms 24:7-10 (ASV)
The splendid entry described here refers to the solemn bringing in of the ark into the tent David pitched for it, or the temple Solomon built for it. We may also apply it to the ascension of Christ into heaven and the welcome given to him there. Our Redeemer found the gates of heaven shut, but having by his blood made atonement for sin, as one having authority, he demanded entrance.
The angels were to worship him (Hebrews 1:6); with wonder, they ask, 'Who is he?' It is answered that he is strong and mighty; mighty in battle to save his people and to subdue his and their enemies. We may also apply this to Christ's entrance into human souls by his word and Spirit, that they may be his temples.
Behold, he stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). The gates and doors of the heart are to be opened to him, as possession is delivered to the rightful owner. We may apply it to his second coming with glorious power. Lord, open the everlasting door of our souls by your grace, that we may now receive you and be wholly yours, and that, at last, we may be numbered with your saints in glory.
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