PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 24 Lift up your heads, O gates!

Time to reflect: This is commonly understood to be a song sung by pilgrims approaching the Temple in Jerusalem. The “Who shall ascend” part is listing the basic requirements for entering the Temple – they need to be Kosher, inside and out. But the focus of the Psalm is who God is and God's relationship with the Temple. One other comment, the English word “glory” is very pale compared to the Hebrew. The Hebrew word has a sense of grandeur beyond human imagination and and a physical component that transcends the universe.

Moving Throughout the day: We no longer have a Temple, nor do we think of God as being confined to a particular space. Try to picture a transcendent, glorious but hidden God giving humans just a glimpse of this grandeur.

Scripture

Psalm 24

Entrance into the Temple

Of David. A Psalm.
1The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
   the world, and those who live in it;
2for he has founded it on the seas,
   and established it on the rivers.

3Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
   And who shall stand in his holy place?
4Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
   who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
   and do not swear deceitfully.
5They will receive blessing from the Lord,
   and vindication from the God of their salvation.
6Such is the company of those who seek him,
   who seek the face of the God of Jacob.*
          Selah

7Lift up your heads, O gates!
   and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
   that the King of glory may come in.
8Who is the King of glory?
   The Lord, strong and mighty,
   the Lord, mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O gates!
   and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
   that the King of glory may come in.
10Who is this King of glory?
   The Lord of hosts,
   he is the King of glory.
          Selah