Psalm 24

Psalm 24

What does worship mean to you? Generally, people tend to think of worship as an expression of adoration, praise and love to God. Certainly, such expressions are included within worship, but does that understanding truly get to the heart of worship? Perhaps we should first ask, why do we worship, what is the purpose, or goal, of worship?

Biblical worship, especially the worship described in the Book of Psalms, has but one purpose: to enter into the presence of God. When we experience the presence of God, our lives are healed and made whole and we experience the transformation the Apostle Paul described in 2 Corinthians 3. (See Psalm 13, May 13, 2012.) Psalm 24 helps us understand how we may enter into the presence of God.

Before we look at the steps the psalmist took to experience God’s glory, we need to return to the first question, what is worship? When the Bible describes worship, the people are bowing down; they are kneeling, in reverence and submission to God. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.” (Psalm 95:6-7.) To our great shame, far too often, the church is very casual and hardly submissive when gathering for Sunday morning worship services. Take a few minutes and ponder what it would be like if the church came together, and with hearts united with a longing to be in the presence of God, submitted to God’s righteous reign in our lives.  

Psalm 24 begins with a Call to Worship, an Affirmation of Faith. The psalmist then renews his understanding of the quality of a life that is in right standing with God. These characteristics are an invitation for confession of sin. Only then does the psalmist welcome God’s glory to encompass him.

Open up, ancient gates!

    Open up, ancient doors,

    and let the King of glory enter.

 Who is the King of glory?

    The Lord, strong and mighty;

    the Lord, invincible in battle.

 Open up, ancient gates!

    Open up, ancient doors,

    and let the King of glory enter.

 Who is the King of glory?

    The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—

    he is the King of glory.

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in Psalm 24 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for May 26, 2012  Psalm 25