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The Earth Is the LORD’s
Psalm 24 is a song that begins with Yahweh as owner and founder of the whole earth, then asks who may come near him, and ends by welcoming the King of glory.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In these verses, the psalm moves in three parts. First, it says the earth and its people belong to Yahweh because he founded the world. Next, it asks who may stand in his holy place. Finally, it calls for the gates to open for the King of glory.
Psalms 24:1–10Main takeaway
This psalm teaches that Yahweh rules all, welcomes those who seek him with integrity, and is honoured as the King of glory.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The whole world belongs to YahwehThe song opens with a sweeping claim. The earth, its fullness, the world, and its inhabitants belong to Yahweh.
Explanation
The song opens with a sweeping claim. The earth, its fullness, the world, and its inhabitants belong to Yahweh. The reason follows immediately: he founded and established it. The language highlights his right over all creation and all people because the world rests on what he has made and set in place.
02Who may come near?The psalm then asks who may ascend Yahweh’s hill and stand in his holy place. The answer is ethical and inward.
Explanation
The psalm then asks who may ascend Yahweh’s hill and stand in his holy place. The answer is ethical and inward. Clean hands points to upright actions, and a pure heart points to inner honesty. The person described also rejects falsehood and deceitful swearing.
03The one who seeks YahwehThe person who comes this way receives blessing from Yahweh and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Explanation
The person who comes this way receives blessing from Yahweh and righteousness from the God of his salvation. The psalm then describes such people as a generation that seeks him and seeks his face. Seeking God here is joined to the character already described, not treated as empty words.
04Welcome the King of gloryThe final lines call to gates and everlasting doors to lift up their heads so the King of glory may come in.
Explanation
The final lines call to gates and everlasting doors to lift up their heads so the King of glory may come in. The repeated question and answer identify him clearly. The King of glory is Yahweh, strong and mighty, mighty in battle, and Yahweh of Armies. The psalm ends in praise with Selah.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to the psalm, why does the earth belong to Yahweh?
Look at the connection between ownership in verse 1 and the reason given in verse 2.
02What kind of person may stand in Yahweh’s holy place?
Notice that the answer includes both outward actions and inward truthfulness.
03How does the psalm identify the King of glory?
Use the repeated question and answer in the final verses to list the names and descriptions given.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 24:1–10
1The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell in it.
2For he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods.
3Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place?
4He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.
5He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah.
7Lift up your heads, you gates! Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.
8Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, you gates; yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.
10Who is this King of glory? Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory! Selah.