“Songs of Messiah—The Sovereign” (Part 1)

For the third and final week we are considering the messianic trilogy of psalms—Psalms 22, 23 and 24. This week we see the final of those great songs—Psalm 24.

Remember if you will that Psalm 24 is the third in a trilogy of messianic psalms regarding the work and ministry of the Redeemer Christ…

Psalm 22- the work of Christ in redemption

Psalm 23- the work of Christ in care of the flock

Psalm 24- the work of Christ as ruling King

By way of background, it is interesting to notice that the flavor of the psalm seems to describe the processional to the heights of the summit of the city. This has caused a variety of responses to “The Song of the Sovereign King”….

• Some relate this song to an enthronement festival
• Some see it as the symbolic entrance of God the King into the city of Jerusalem, as pictured by David escorting the ark of the covenant from Kirjath-Jearim to Mount Zion
• Some liturgical churches sing this psalm on Ascension Day, but Delitzsch rightly says it is more descriptive of the Lord, the King, coming to earth to reign- not ascending to heaven.

What is the point of the psalm? Delitzsch is right on, for it pictures the King’s arrival to possess the city He has conquered. Because of His great victory—first on the cross then over the nations and armies of a rebellious world at Armageddon—He comes to take what He has conquered. And, in this, His glory and majesty are declared in worship. See Him worshipped in this marvelous little song…

Sovereign in Creation (vv.1-2)

The Possessor (v.1) this verse parallels Psalm 98:7, “Let the sea roar and all it contains, The world and those who dwell in it.” The keys?

• The earth and all it contains- (lit.- “all that fills it up”)- this pictures the wealth and fertility of the earth. It was placed here for God’s glory, not for man’s exploitation! He has enriched the earth and, though glorious, it is merely a pale reflection of His glory!
• The world and those who dwell in it- as Creator, he claims authority over the people of the earth as well. He is Sovereign over all mankind—not just over believers. As Creator, the King is the ultimate authority and all are ultimately accountable to Him. He claims them as their…

Creator (v.1b)

Judge (Psalm 9:7)

Savior (John 3:16).

The sad fact is that the world may reject Him as their Savior, but they cannot escape Him as their Judge!

The Founder (v.2) How has He established this world He has made and possesses?

• Upon the Seas- “upon” is “above” (as in Psalm 8:1). This follows the imagery of Gen.1:9, where God establishes the solid ground out of the waters.
• Upon the Waters- this is really interesting. In the Old Testament, “seas” and “waters” are the dominant image of the formlessness God brought creation out of (Gen.1:2), the menace of the deep (Ps.46:5), and the restlessness of life (Isa.57:20). The pagan world of the day viewed the seas as filled with jeopardy and danger because it was the habitat of the demon-gods. But, as with the earth, the seas are the Lord’s, and He rules that as well as the dry land.

As Creator, He has the right of ownership and sovereign control over all that He has made—and is to be glorified by the works of His hands!

On Wednesday we will revisit Psalm 24, and the glory of our King.