Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 24

The Earth Belongs to the LORDThis psalm reminds us that God owns everything on earth. The world and everything in it belong to Him, not just the heavens. Even though the earth seems small compared to the heavens, God still knows and rules over it. Everything we have—our homes, land, and all the treasures of the earth—are His. We are only tenants using what God allows us to have. God’s rule covers every part of the earth, and wherever we go, we are still on His ground. This truth is also a reason why we should be thankful for what we have and not jealous of what others have, because it all belongs to God. The apostle Paul also used this truth to teach that everything we enjoy is from God and not to be used for idols (1 Corinthians 10:26, 28 ).v. 1: The earth is the Lord

v. 2: For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers . God made the earth and set it in place, even though it seems to rest on unstable waters. Only God has the power to create and keep everything safe. He continues to care for the world, and every generation lives on the earth because God allows it. This should remind us not to trust too much in the things of this world, because only God is truly secure.

The Character of True IsraelitesAfter thinking about how God owns the whole earth, the psalmist turns to a more important question: Who can come close to God and live with Him forever? Earthly things may be good, but they cannot satisfy our souls. True happiness is found with God, so we should desire to be in His presence and be counted among His special people. The “hill of the Lord

v. 4: The answer begins: “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” . Those who come to God must avoid sinful actions (“clean hands”) and have honest, sincere hearts (“pure heart”). They do not love the empty things of this world, and they keep their promises. God wants us to be true both inside and out (Matthew 5:8 ).

v. 5: Those who live like this receive God’s blessing: “He will receive blessing from the Lord

v. 6: This is the reward for God’s true people: “Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob” . God always keeps a group of people who truly seek Him. They join with others in worship and prayer, desiring God’s favor above all things. God will never tell those who seek Him that they have sought Him in vain.

The King of Glory.This section celebrates the arrival of the King of glory. The psalm uses repetition to emphasize its message—a common and beautiful feature in ancient songs. The main ideas are: a call for the gates to open wide, a question about who this King of glory is, and a strong answer declaring the mighty identity of the King. These verses originally described the entrance of the ark, but they hold deeper meaning too. They invite us to welcome God with open hearts and show respect for His greatness.v. 7: The psalmist calls out, Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O everlasting doors; that the King of glory may come in. This demand is made twice, showing excitement and honor. The doors represent obstacles that must be removed so God can enter. In the original context, this likely refers to bringing the ark into the tent or temple. The gates are called everlastingbecause they are strong and lasting, unlike the old curtains of the tabernacle.

v. 8: Again, a question is asked: Who is this King of glory?. This is like asking, Who is there?when someone knocks at the door. The answer is bold: The Lord

v. 9: The psalm repeats the command: Lift up your heads, O gates!This repetition builds up the moment, making it more powerful and beautiful. It reminds us to open our hearts fully to God, just as the doors were opened wide for the ark. God deserves the highest place in our lives.

v. 10: The question comes again: Who is this King of glory?The answer is clear: The Lord