Psalm 24:1-6 – “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? or 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, 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.”
Psalm 24:1-2 asserts that God is the Creator, owner, possessor and Sovereign of His creation.
Psalm 24:1-2 – “The earth is the LORD’S [Jehovah; Eternal God], and the fulness [all it contains] thereof; the world [inhabitants], and they that dwell [inhabit; sit; abide] therein. 2 For he [the LORD] hath founded [lay the foundation; appointed] it upon the seas, and established [prepared; erected; apply] it upon the floods [waters; streams].
The LORD is the Creator of all things and, “without Him was not anything, made that was made” (John 1:3). As Creator, the Lord is Owner of the earth’s resources (“the fulness there of”) and its inhabitants. It is the LORD who set the boundaries of the sea and the dry land (24:2) and He is the Sustainer of His creation.
Because the LORD is Sovereign of creation, the psalmist ask who might approach the mount of God and enter into His “holy place” (24:3).
Psalm 24:3 – Who shall ascend [come up; mount; scale] into the hill [mountain] of the LORD [Jehovah; Eternal God]? or who shall stand [arise; rise] in his holy [consecrated; hallowed; dedicated; sacred] place?
If a man is charitable and gives of his riches to the poor, may he enter into God’s presence? Does fasting, serving others, being kind to a neighbor or having a good reputation merit the favor of God Who is holy? Note four characteristics of the man who may enter into the presence of the LORD in verse 4.
Psalm 24:4 – He that hath clean [innocent; guiltless; blameless] hands, and a pure [clean; clear; innocent] heart [mind; understanding]; who hath not lifted up [removed; take away] his soul [life; person] unto vanity [lying; deceit; lies; malice], nor sworn [charge; take an oath] deceitfully [fraud; treachery; i.e. lacking integrity]. 
To stand in the presence of the LORD, a man must have “clean hands”, meaning without sin, innocent and blameless before God. Secondly, he must have a “pure heart”—purity in motive and in thought. Thirdly, he must guard his heart from the beguiling lies and philosophy of this world (i.e. “vanity”). Finally, the man who enters into the presence of the LORD must have integrity before God and not yield to lies and deceptions.
Psalm 24:5 – He shall receive [bear; take away; carry; accept] the blessing [prosperity] from the LORD [Jehovah; Eternal God], and righteousness [rightness; justice] from the God [Almighty God] of his salvation.
A twofold reward is promised to those who seek the LORD (24:5): 1) God promises to bless and prosper them (24:5a); 2) God promises to declare them righteous and just in His sight (24:5).
Psalm 24:6 – This is the generation [age; period in which people live] of them that seek [follow; worship; inquire] him, that seek [seek out; require; desire] thy face [person; countenance], O Jacob [the patriarch of Israel]. Selah [pause].”
Those who seek the LORD, approach Him with “clean hands”, a “pure heart”, guarding their heart and mind from defiling thoughts, and walking with integrity before the LORD and man. Such a man, is numbered among those who seek the God of Jacob, the patriarch of Israel and heir of God’s covenant promise of a Redeemer, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
What about you? Who are you seeking?
Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith
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