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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 24:1-2

Here is, I. God's absolute propriety in this part of the creation where our lot is cast, Ps. 24:1. We are not to think that the heavens, even the heavens only, are the Lord?s, and the numerous and bright inhabitants of the upper world, and that this earth, being so small and inconsiderable a part of the creation, and at such a distance from the royal palace above, is neglected, and that he claims no interest in it. No, even the earth is his, and this lower world; and, though he has prepared... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 24:3-6

From this world, and the fulness thereof, the psalmist's meditations rise, of a sudden to the great things of another world, the foundation of which is not on the seas, nor on the floods. The things of this world God has given to the children of men and we are much indebted to his providence for them; but they will not make a portion for us. And therefore, I. Here is an enquiry after better things, Ps. 24:3. This earth is God's footstool; but, if we had ever so much of it, we must be here but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 24:7-10

What is spoken once is spoken a second time in these verses; such repetitions are usual in songs, and have much beauty in them. Here is, 1. Entrance once and again demanded for the King of glory; the doors and gates are to be thrown open, thrown wide open, to give him admission, for behold he stands at the door and knocks, ready to come in. 2. Enquiry once and again made concerning this mighty prince, in whose name entrance is demanded: Who is this King of glory? As, when any knock at our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 24:1

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof ,.... The whole universe, all the terraqueous globe, both land and water, and the circumambient air, and all that is therein; the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the air, the beasts of the field, all plants and vegetables that spring out of the earth, and metals and minerals in the bowels of it; all which are the riches of the Lord the earth is full of, Psalm 104:24 ; see Psalm 50:10 ; the world, and they that dwell therein ; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 24:2

For he hath founded it upon the seas ,.... Or "with" them, as some interpret F5 R. Moses in Aben Ezra in loc. the particle על ; he hath founded the earth and seas together, and both upon nothing; and yet are stable and firm; or "by the seas" F6 על ימים "juxta maria", Vatablus, Gejerus, Amama; so Kimchi & Ben Melech. , near unto them, at the side of them; which, though higher than the earth, are wonderfully bounded by the power of God, so as not to return and cover the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 24:3

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ?.... Though the Lord has a claim in general to the whole world, and all its fulness; yet there is a particular part of it, or spot in it, which is his special and peculiar property, and that is his church and people; for though some reference may be had, in this passage, to Mount Moriah, and the hill of Zion, on which the temple was afterwards built, and is called the hill of the Lord, where he desired to dwell, Psalm 68:15 ; yet the church is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 24:4

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart ,.... Though "clean hands" are mentioned first, as being more obvious to view, and better known, and more subject to the cognizance and observation of others; yet a "pure heart" is first in being and in order; from whence cleanness of hands, when right and truth springs: no man has a pure heart naturally and of himself: the heart is desperately wicked; the imagination of the thoughts of it is evil continually; the mind and conscience are defiled... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 24:5

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord ,.... Or "who receives" F12 ישא "qui accipit", Cocceius. ; the future for the present; and so is a continuation of the description of a person proper to enter and abide in the church of God, as Psalm 24:6 seems to require; even one who has received every spiritual blessing in Christ in general, special grace out of his fulness; particularly the blessing of pardon, as also adoption, and a right to eternal life; though it may be that the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 24:6

This is the generation of them that seek him ,.... The persons above described are such, who in every age are the generation of the children of God, and are accounted by him for a generation; they are such that seek him, in the first place, with their whole hearts, and in Christ, where they find him; that seek thy face, O Jacob . By the "face" of God is meant the favour of God, the discoveries of his love, the light of his countenance, than which nothing is more desirable to gracious... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 24:7

Lift up your heads, O ye gates ,.... By which the gates of hell are not meant; nor are the words to be understood of the descent of Christ thither, to fetch the souls of Old Testament saints from thence; who the Papists dream were detained in an apartment there, as in a prison, called by them "limbus patrum"; seeing these, immediately upon their separation from the body, were in a state of happiness and glory, as the parable of the rich man and Lazarus shows; and since Christ, at his death,... read more

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