EXPOSITION, ing Lord is, in both parts of the psalm, the PSALM XXIV. fundamental idea" (HengAtenberg). Botb AT first sight this psalm seems to be com- parts speak of an ascent into the holy bill posed of two quite separate fragments (vers. of Zion, the first manifestly (ver. 3), the 1--0 and vers. 7-10); whence Ewald second by implication (vers. 7, 9). If we ltas laid it down that, in their origin, the regard p1ut ii., with most critics, as intended two parts were wholly separate, and that to be sung by the choir of Levites, which the union took place subsequently. Ilut a. bore and accompanied the ark of the cove- careful consideration reveals points of unity nant as it was brought to the gates of the which favour the 'l'iew that the connection tabernacle or of the citadel of Zion, then was intended from the first, and is essential it iA clear that in po.rt i. we have a. very and congenital "The glory of the approach- suitable introduction. Part i. puts forward ffl, XXIV. 1-10.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 173
two ideo.s-the infinite glory of God (vers. question as a warning to the Levites, whom l, 2), and the need of holinees in nll tho.t he we.a about to employ in the transport of draw near to him (vers. 3-6). To impress the e.rk, the.t they might purify themselves in heart and soul before venturing to take on the minds of those present the infinite po.rt in the solemn ceremony. Or who she.11 glory of God is the me.in object of part ii. ; stand in his holy place l Who, i.e., she.II while, if we regard the lifting up of the stand and minister inside the to.bernacle, gates as emblematic of the lifting up of when the ark ho.s been placed therein, e.nd men's hearts, we may say that the direct it has thus become, in a specie.I sease, God'a holy plo.ce? teaching of the part is the need of a pure Ver, 4.-11:e that bath clean hands. He spirit of devotion in worshippers. whose he.ncls are free from acts of sin (comp. David's authorship is allowed by most Ps. xv. 2-5), and not only so, but he who critics ; ancl the most probable period of the he.th also a pure heart, since the heart Is composition is the time when David deter- the source of all evil (Matt. xv. 19, 20), and mined to bring up the o.rk of God from the wrongful words and wicked acts are the necessary results of the heart being impure. house of Obed-Edom to the tabernacle "God's demands upon Lis people," as Heng- which he had prepared for it on Mount stenberg observes, "go beyond the domain Zion (2 Sam. vi. 12). of e.ction. Those only see him-those only The psalm is me.de up of three strophes: are fit to ascend into his hill-who have a vers. 1, 2; vers. 3-6; and vers. 7-10. pure heart." Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity; i.e. who has not lusted The first and second are closely connected ; after vain e.nd worthless things, whose the third is o. little detaohed. desires nre subdued, brought into captivity Ver. 1.-The earth is the Lord's, and the to the Law of God, and kept under strict fulness thereof. God's glory wa.s set forth oontrol. This is ree.lly implied in purity in Ps. xix. from a consideration of the of bee.rt. Nor swom deceitfully. False heo.vens (vers. 1-6); here it is manifested swearing is the worst-or, at any rate, one from the other half of creation-the eo.rt!J. of the worst-sins of the tongue. 'l.'he The whole earth, e.nd e.11 its fulness, is his. psalmist means to say that a me.n is not fit He me.de it, e.nd he remains its sole Owner to dro.w near to God unless he is righteous and Master. There is no inferior 671µ1- in act, in thought, e.nd in word. ovp-y&s, ns some believed, who framed it o.nd Ver. 5.-Ho shall receive the blessing governs it. All its marvels, e.ll its beauty, from the Lord; rather, bleasing, without the all its richness, proceed from God alone. article. On the pure in thought, word, anu The world, e.nd they that dwell therein. o.ct, God's blessing is sure to rest (sco l'.llo.tt. "The world" (~~f:I) seems to be here syno- v. 8). And righteousness from the God of nymous with" the earth" (Y:,~Q), Not only his salvation. To the mnn who comes to do its mntcrial products belong to God, but God witlt an honest and true heart, God its inho.bite.nts also. will give e.dditional gre.oes, such o.~ justifi- Ver. 2.-Jl'or he hath founded it upon the cation, assurance, persevere.nee, unwavering see.a, e.nd established it upon the floods hope, perfeot charity. (comp. Gen. i. 9). Goel has established the Ver. 6.-This is the generation of them eo.rtl1 above the seo.~ e.ncl floods, oo.using it that seek him. Men with this chamcter to "o.ppcar," e.ud thus me.king it a fitting impressed upon them nre the •• generation," h11bito.iion for mo.u. Hence his right of the stamp of men, whom God will recog- property in tho earth ancl in all tho d wollers nize e.nd accept as his worshippers, true on it. They exist through his providential seekers after him. That seek thy face, 0 co.re (comp. Ps. civ. 6-9). Jo.cob. The LXX. ho.ve, Z71,-0611,-,.,,, ,-b Ver. 3.-Who shall ascend into the hill .,,p&uonrov Tov 0,ov 'la.1<w~, whence some sup- of the Lord l The second s lrophe opens pose •;iStt to have fo.llcn out of tho Hebrew with one of David's sudden transitions. text. 'fhis, no doubt, is possible, and re- Who is worthy to bo brought into contact U1ovos all diffioulty. But it is better to with a God of such might e.uu glory? Who loose a Gordian knot than to out it. We shall e.Bcenu into his hill? God's "Lill" may keep the present text, and obtain o. is, in reo.lity, the hi.;hest heaven, wherein satisfactory sense, by regarding "Jacob" ho has his dwelling-pluco. Its represe 1tati ve e.s gre.mme.tionlly in apposition with "gene- ou eo.rth was, at this time, the lllount Zion, ration," and trnnsl11ting, "This is the where it was o.hendy determined in tho generation of them the.t seek him-that Divine counsels that the temple should be seok thy face-oven Jo.cob." All they are built, o.nd whither David we.a now about to not Israel who o.ro of lsro.cl (Rolll. ix. 6). - ,ransfer the ark of the covenant (see the The true J aoob consisted of those Isruolitea 1ntroduotory paragraph). David asks the who answered to the oharncter described iA l74 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB. XXIV, 1-10.