Listening to Psalm 24 together in community, an awareness that “God claims the earth and everything in it” shimmered for many of us. One listener remembered the words on a cross-stitch sampler from the home of her youth, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” and savored that enduring memory.
Praying the psalm, the grandeur and vastness of God’s creation may overwhelm us with awe. Let us linger there, letting wonder fill us. As it did for the psalmist, the question “who shall stand in his holy place?” may arise with a longing to connect deeply with God. May we pause and bring that desire of our heart into a conversation with Jesus.
The psalmist’s words “God is at their side; with God’s help they make it” stayed with many of us, offering comfort that God is with us whatever we are going through. Perhaps we are in the midst of overwhelming troubles and wonder how long we can endure. We might find it hard to pray or even find words. May we be graced with courage to come to Jesus, just as we are. As we wait in the silence, may we let the promise that with God’s help we will make it dwell in us.
Psalm 24 RSV
The earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein;
for he has founded it upon the seas,
and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false,
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the LORD,
and vindication from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer.
Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 24 The Message
GOD claims Earth and everything in it,
GOD claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won’t cheat,
women who won’t seduce.
GOD is at their side;
with GOD’s help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
to God-seekers, God-questers.
Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.
Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
Who is this King-Glory?
GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.