Psalm 24 appears to be a series of liturgical questions and answers similar to our modern church’s responsive readings. A photo of the excavated southern steps of the ancient temple mount (or, better, a visit to this excavated archaeological site) presents a clear image of where a progression of Jewish worshippers would have advanced into the Temple courts. Worshippers would walk up this long stone star case cut into the bedrock of Mount Moriah while reciting the answers to these questions presented to them by their priestly leader (or, a priestly chorus.) (see excavation site south of the Temple and diagrams here)

The ten verses of this Psalm can be divided into three basic parts for study purposes:

• 24:1-2 – a hymn praising the Lord for creation, establishment and sustaining dominion of the earth
• 24:3-6 – the responsive liturgical portion used to prepare the hearts of worshippers through self-examination and confession of faith. This confession is recorded into three parts: (1) Question, (2) Answer, (3) Statement of Faith. This middle section ends with a time of silence and inner reflection identified by the word “selah.”
• 24:7-10 – the liturgy continues with the resuming of the procession into the temple courts that seems to include the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem or from David’s tent of worship into Solomon’s Temple on Mount Moriah. Then in the years that followed this Psalm could have been a ceremonial reenactment of these historical events.

Specifically verses 3-6 identify the spiritual and moral condition required of a man who:

• Desires to worship the Lord who created, sustains and rules the universe.
• Desires to progress wit the Lord into his glory and dwelling.

The ”mountain of the lord” would refer literally to Mount Moriah in Jerusalem and metaphorically to the throne room of the eternal God.

Who may enter to worship the God who brought “order” (a word that refers to “fixed it” and “established it” in 24:2 recounting Genesis 1:1-3) “chaos” (referenced again as “seas” and “rivers” in 24:2 from Genesis 1:1-3).  Who can worship the God of “order”? Only he who himself has “order” ruling his moral life! The worshipper of this holy God must:

• Have innocent hands
• A pure heart
• Reject false thinking (or, reject a false worldview which is a form of chaos)

Basically who may ascend into God’s place of order and holiness? Only those who themselves think and function in order and holiness. No one who is themselves disorderly (lie, deception, etc. ) can bring their false reality and alternative views and lifestyles of chaos into the presence of the Lord’ holiness and order.

“After more than sixty years of almost daily reading of the BIBLE,  I never fail to find it always new and marvelously in tune with the changing needs of every day."
-Cecil B. DeMille

There is an interesting parallel between the events surrounding Jesus in
Mark 4:35-43 and the words of David in Psalm 107:23-31:

"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, 
'Let us go over to the
other side.' 
Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him,
'Teacher, don’t you care
if we drown?'
 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,
 'Quiet! Be still!' 
Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, 
'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?'
They were terrified and asked each other,
'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!' "
- Mark 4:35-43

"Some went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind."
- Psalm107:23-31