Sermon Date: July 31
Sermon Text: Psalm 24
Summary
Psalm 24 is a song that was likely originally sung by worshipers after a victorious battle as the Ark of the Covenant (the golden chest that stored the 10 commandments) was brought back into the Temple. Though that may have been the original immediate context, there are strong messianic impulses throughout the text as we get the image of a King entering His Kingdom through “ancient doors” (verses 7, 9). The Psalm is broken into three distinct parts (verses 1-2, verses 3-5, verses 7-10). The climax of the Psalm lies in verses 7-10 where the same question is asked and responded to multiple times, “Who is this King of Glory?” As New Testament readers of this Old Testament Psalm, we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the King of Glory.
It is supposed that the psalm was penned upon occasion of David’s bringing up the ark to the place prepared for it, and that the intention of it was to lead the people above the pomp of external ceremonies to a holy life and faith in Christ, of whom the ark was a type.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
Sermon Outline
Sermon Notes
Post-Sermon Reflection Questions & Prayer Points
- Verses 3-4 discuss the person who may approach God’s throne, he who has “clean hands.” Only Jesus fulfilled this qualification on His own. But when we repent of our sin and believe in Christ, God applies Jesus’ righteousness to us. He then begins a new work that we call Sanctification whereby we put off the old life of sin and put on godly behavior, “clean hands,” and a “pure heart.” What area of your life is God sanctifying you in right now? Where is bringing you to new places of purity of heart as you chase after Jesus (verse 4).
- In life’s busyness we tend to lose sight of the grand reality and majesty of Christ’s ascension to His throne. What rhythms are in your life, or ought to be in your life, that can help redirect your attention to the reality of Christ’s reign?
- Verse 10 refers to God as the ‘Lord of Hosts (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth)’ In the sermon we outline three unique implications of this title of God. Specifically this title implies that God: preserves the elect, opposes injustice, establishes peace. This week in your prayers, pray specifically to God as the Lord of Hosts and thank Him for the truth that is baked into that title.