ENTRANCE (Psalm 24:1-10; 25:1-22)

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Ps 24:1). "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god" (Ps 24:3-4). [Psalms 3-32 Psalms of David. Psalms 24-28 A Lifestyle of Integrity.]

1. What do you learn about God in
1. Ps 24:1-2 (Gen 1:1; Ps 33:6)
2. Ps 24:3-6 (Lev 19:1-2; 11:44-45; 20:26; 1 Pet 1:15-16)
3. Ps 24:7-10 (Rev 19:6; 17:14; 1 Tim 6:15)
2. In light of who God is, how should we live? Who can enter God's presence?

In Psalm 24 there is no prayer; it is all declarative. Each of the 3 parts bring out a different consideration of God:

1. The Creator (1-2). The all-creating. God's creative authority. Approaching. Everything/everyone belongs to God (1 Cor 6:19-20).
2. The Holy God (3-6). The all-holy. Preparation to enter the Presence of God. Preparing. Holy in deed (outward actions) and thought (inward motives). Holy relationship with God (no idolatry) and neighbor (no deceit) (Ps 24:4; 1 Sam 16:7).
3. The Glorious King (7-10). The all-victorious. The King of Glory comes. Entering. The divine warrior.

1. John Stott. 1988. Psalm 24: Ascending the Hill of the Lord. 1. The whole earth (Ps 24:1-2). 2. The Lord's hill (Ps 24:3-6). 3. The city gates (Ps 24:7-10).
2. Tim Keller. 2015. The pursuit of God (1-6). True glory (7-10).
3. Gerald Wilson. 2002. Psalm 24: Who can Dwell in the House of God? 1. The Lord's creative authority (Ps 24:1-2). Preparations to Enter the Presence of God (Ps 24:3-6). The King of Glory comes (Ps 24:7-10).
4. John Goldingay. 2013. Psalm 24: Will God let you in? Will you let God in?
5. Derek Kidner. 1973. 1975. Psalm 24: King of Glory. 1. The All-Creating (Ps 24:1-2)? 2. The All-Holy (Ps 24:3-6). 3. The All-Victorious (Ps 24:7-10).
6. Alec Motyer. 2016. Psalm 24: Fling Wide the Gates. 1. Approaching (Ps 24:1-2). 2. Welcoming (Ps 24:3-6). 3. Entering (Ps 24:7-10).
7. Longman III & David E Garland. 2008. Psalm 24: The King of Glory is our God. Yahweh is a Great King over the Earth; Invitation to Integrity. A. The Great King (Ps 24:1-2). The Creator God. B. The Hill of the Lord (Ps 24:3-6). The Holy God. A'. The Divine Warrior (Ps 24:7-10). The Glorious King.

I Abandon Myself into Your Hands

Charles de Foucauld's Prayer of Abandonment:

Father, I abandon myself into your hands,

do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do, I thank you;

I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.

I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;

I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,

for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,

to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,

and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.