Introduction

Psalm 24: This psalm begins by acknowledging that all the world belongs to God and continues with a question-and-answer format about who may enter the Temple and come into God’s presence. It concludes with praise for the Lord, “the great king.” The reference to the “LORD’s hill” (verse 3) is Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Temple stood.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 24:10 GNT

Who is this great king? The triumphant LORD—he is the great king!

Read

24 The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord;
the earth and all who live on it are his.
2 He built it on the deep waters beneath the earth
and laid its foundations in the ocean depths.

3 Who has the right to go up the Lord’s hill?
Who may enter his holy Temple?
4 Those who are pure in act and in thought,
who do not worship idols
or make false promises.
5 The Lord will bless them and save them;
God will declare them innocent.
6 Such are the people who come to God,
who come into the presence of the God of Jacob.

7 Fling wide the gates,
open the ancient doors,
and the great king will come in.
8 Who is this great king?
He is the Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, victorious in battle.

9 Fling wide the gates,
open the ancient doors,
and the great king will come in.
10 Who is this great king?
The triumphant Lord—he is the great king!

Reflect

Worshipers likely sang this psalm as a liturgical hymn when entering the Temple and carrying in the Ark of the Covenant (or “Covenant Box”). The Israelites regarded the Ark as the earthly throne of God. Verses 3, 8, and 10 may have been sung responsively, with the priests singing the questions and the worshipers responding. How do you envision the procession while this psalm is being sung? How is God being praised in this psalm? According to verses 4–6, who may “enter his holy Temple”?

Pray

Dear Lord, you are indeed triumphant and you are my king. May my thoughts and actions this day be pure and pleasing in your sight. To worship you is my heart’s delight. Please remind me each day that I am now your temple, your dwelling place. And may I give you praise and thanksgiving for your presence in my life. Amen.

And now, join us in praying for refugees from Artsakh. Lord God, more than 120,000 men, women and children were violently uprooted from their homeland in Artsakh in 2023 after surviving a nine-month blockade by Azerbaijani forces that deprived them of food, medicine, and hope. In desperate need of physical, emotional, and spiritual support, they fled to Armenia where, thanks to the support from Bible-A-Month Partners, their needs were met. The local Bible Society hosted the “Caring and Compassion Camp,” a sanctuary for displaced families where they had access to the Trauma Healing ministry, Bibles, and Scripture resources for all ages. We thank and praise you, Lord God, that hope is rising, faith is being rebuilt, and the displaced are reminded that they are not forgotten. Praise to you, Lord God, that these families are finding healing in your Word. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Matthew 24:1–28: Jesus speaks about the destruction of the Temple and a time of persecution.