The Earth Is The LORD's
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it ...
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
-- Psalm 24:1, 7
Theme: Celebrating the presence of the Lord
Outline
1-2 -- The LORD of all the earth approaches!
3-6 -- The moral condition required for access to his presence.
7-10 -- Procession reaches the gates, which are summoned to open wide to admit their true king.
Notes
• Liturgy -- Instruction
• The occasion was the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). Later addition and use indicates the presence of the temple and its "ancient doors."
• Verses 1-2 were sung as worshipers approached the hill of Zion. At the foot of the hill, a liturgical instruction by the priests (vv. 3-6) was followed when the procession reached the temple gates (vv. 7-10). The choir addressed the gates, "Be lifted up," to receive the representation of the LORD's presence (Ark). Antiphonal song dramatized the climax -- the gates are opened and the procession enters.
• This psalm was recited the first day of the week at the morning sacrifice (second temple).
For Reflection
• What does God want in the hearts, souls, hands, and lips in those who worship him?
Prayer
O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart's delight!
O kindle, Lord, most holy, your lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly all that may please you best.
Love caused your incarnation; love brought you down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling, that led you to embrace
In love all love excelling, our lost and fallen race.
-- Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
the world, and those who live in it ...
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
-- Psalm 24:1, 7
Theme: Celebrating the presence of the Lord
Outline
1-2 -- The LORD of all the earth approaches!
3-6 -- The moral condition required for access to his presence.
7-10 -- Procession reaches the gates, which are summoned to open wide to admit their true king.
Notes
• Liturgy -- Instruction
• The occasion was the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). Later addition and use indicates the presence of the temple and its "ancient doors."
• Verses 1-2 were sung as worshipers approached the hill of Zion. At the foot of the hill, a liturgical instruction by the priests (vv. 3-6) was followed when the procession reached the temple gates (vv. 7-10). The choir addressed the gates, "Be lifted up," to receive the representation of the LORD's presence (Ark). Antiphonal song dramatized the climax -- the gates are opened and the procession enters.
• This psalm was recited the first day of the week at the morning sacrifice (second temple).
For Reflection
• What does God want in the hearts, souls, hands, and lips in those who worship him?
Prayer
O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart's delight!
O kindle, Lord, most holy, your lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly all that may please you best.
Love caused your incarnation; love brought you down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling, that led you to embrace
In love all love excelling, our lost and fallen race.
-- Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
