¹The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it … ³Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? … ¹⁰Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

This ode of praise glorifies God in the most exalted terms. The rhetorical question repeated twice sets up the tribute and invokes unmitigated worship: “Who is the King of glory?” Verses 1-2 with 7-10 are pure and unadulterated praise. The interlude, verses 3-6, rehearses the requirements for entering into the presence of the Lord.

This psalm evokes worship in the faithful in procession up to Jerusalem. David only hints at the setting that occasioned his writing of the psalm—a victory in battle: “The Lord mighty in battle” (Ps. 24:8). But the sentiments would be easy to express as worship and praise at any time by any “generation of those who seek Him” (Ps. 24:6).

The question, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?” (Ps. 24:3) reflects the fact that Jerusalem was built on a hill, with the temple mount at its apex. The refrain, “Be lifted up, O ancient doors” (Ps. 24:7, 9), pictures the throng entering through the raised gates of Jerusalem. And further, the psalm portrays the people following their King into the place of worship: “That the King of glory may come in” (vs. 9).

One can hear the processional leader calling out, “Who is the King of Glory?” and the congregation’s response, “The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” Again, the leader calls out, “Who is the king of glory?” The people resound in unison, “The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” Like responsive readings in common liturgy today, the drama of worship includes every voice.

Who then is worthy to worship the Lord in His presence? Verses 3-6 provide a concise list of qualifications: we must approach God with lives unstained with actual sin (“clean hands”), hearts absent of sinful thoughts and attitudes, and integrity of character.

But who of us is good enough? The psalmist expects that the qualifications are reachable and should be our goal. Jesus, though, in His Sermon on the Mount, made it clear that we all fall short. But because of His death on the cross, the way into God’s presence is paved with forgiveness:

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)

By God’s grace, we grow in meeting God’s expectations for coming before Him in purity and integrity.

Lord, You alone are worthy to be praised. I come to You as one forgiven and bathed in the grace and mercy of Christ.