WHO MAY STAND IN HIS HOLY PLACE?
Psalm 24:1-6.
1. The Sovereignty of God (Psalm 24:1-2).
The declaration in PSALM 24:1 is emphatic - literally, “To Yahweh belongs the earth!” This excludes all other potential claimants to the Crown. It is His by right as Creator. Whether they acknowledge it or not, all people are answerable to Him.
It is He who “founded” the world (PSALM 24:2), separating the waters (Genesis 1:7), and causing dry land to appear (Genesis 1:9). It is He who sustains it, having “established” it upon the waters. Wise men become fools when they set out to deny God (Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1)!
2. Who may approach to worship Him? (Psalm 24:3-6).
Yet, having said all that, who may approach this God? ‘LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in your holy hill?’ (Psalm 15:1). “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?” (PSALM 24:3).
“He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (PSALM 24:4). Jesus says that to love God and neighbour is, in effect, the sum of the whole of the law (cf. Mark 12:30-31). Yet who has clean hands &c. outside of Jesus?
We dare not assert our own righteousness but stand in His. We receive it as a blessing, a gift from “the God of our salvation” (PSALM 24:5) purchased by the blood of Jesus (Romans 3:21-23). This being done however, our Christianity is displayed thereafter in the life we lead, and in our fair dealings in the things we do (James 2:18).
Outside of Jesus, we are doomed to separation from the God of Jacob. But if we ‘seek His face’ (Psalm 105:4) and come to God through Jesus (John 14:6), He will receive us (Romans 10:10-11). This is the only way we may claim citizenship of His kingdom (PSALM 24:6).
