Psalm 24:(0) By David. A psalm:
(1) The earth is Adonai’s, with all that is in it,
the world and those who live there;
2 for he set its foundations on the seas
and established it on the rivers.
3 Who may go up to the mountain of Adonai?
Who can stand in his holy place?
4 Those with clean hands and pure hearts,
who don’t make vanities the purpose of their lives
or swear oaths just to deceive.
5 They will receive a blessing from Adonai
and justice from God, who saves them.
6 Such is the character of those who seek him,
of Ya‘akov, who seeks your face. (Selah)
7 Lift up your heads, you gates!
Lift them up, everlasting doors,
so that the glorious king can enter!
8 Who is he, this glorious king?
Adonai, strong and mighty,
Adonai, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates!
Lift them up, everlasting doors,
so that the glorious king can enter!
10 Who is he, this glorious king?
Adonai-Tzva’ot —
he is the glorious king. (Selah)[Complete Jewish Bible]It is possible to read Psalm 24 in a way that gives one pause. Are my hands clean enough to ascend the holy hill of the Lord? Is my heart pure enough to stand in God's holy place? After all, who can say that there is nothing false in their soul, or that they have never sworn deceitfully?
Christ, however, invites us to read this psalm in a far more confident way. As those who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ, we are "the company of those who seek him." We are the ones who keep company with Christ. And taking Paul's metaphor for the church, we go even further: We are the body of Christ! So, "lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in," and with him, all those baptized in his name.
Is not that the confidence that our baptism frees us for? Doesn't our baptism set us free from the fear of sullied hands and heart so that we are free for loving others in whatever ways love calls for? The King of Glory shows up and initiates us into that kind of freedom. So, "lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in!"
Lord, give us such absurd confidence in your grace that we might boldly live as if Christ really lives in us and we ourselves might live as Christ for others! Amen.
Joe and Jill Doherty
New Promise Lutheran Church, St. George, Utah
Master of Divinity, 1998
Psalm 24: Of David. A Psalm.
1 The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
2 for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the Lord,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may 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 gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory. Selah[New Revised Standard Version]
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