Big Idea: Entering the King’s presence is an awesome privilege, and in worship we join the psalmist in preparation for that tremendous experience.

Understanding the Text

Psalm 24 is titled “Of David. A psalm [mizmor].” First occurring in Psalm 3, the term mizmor is generally understood to mean a poem that is sung to musical accompaniment (see comments on the title for Ps. 3). While the order of the words is reversed here (not “A psalm of David,” as it usually is), the order does not seem to have much significance.

In Psalm 23:6 David affirms that when “goodness and love” have pursued him into the Lord’s house, he will dwell there forever. As a natural follow-up psalm, Psalm 24 is directly concerned with who will or may ascend the mountain of the Lord (24:3).

Psalm 24 is a companion to …