Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Psalms 24
Metaphysically Interpreting Psalms 24:1-10
24:1The earth is Jehovah's, and the fulness thereof;
The world, and they that dwell therein.
24:2For he hath founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the floods.24:3Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
24:4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood,
And hath not sworn deceitfully.
24:5He shall receive a blessing from Jehovah,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
24:6This is the generation of them that seek after him,
That seek thy face, even Jacob.24:7Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors:
And the King of glory will come in.
24:8Who is the King of glory?
Jehovah strong and mighty,
Jehovah mighty in battle.
24:9Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors:
And the King of glory will come in.
24:10Who is this King of glory?
Jehovah of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
August 1, 1920: Psalms 24:7-10
Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? Or who shall stand in his holy place? “He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, nor sworn deceitfully.”
What sacred command next speaks itself into the soul? “Lift up your heads, O ye gates, And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in.”
Who is the King op glory? “Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle. Jehovah of hosts, He is the King of glory.”
November 21, 1948: Psalms 24:1-10
Why does the thought of God lend itself to poetic expression? Because poetry is the appropriate vehicle of high, beautiful thought, of imagination and emotion. All these are in the thought of God, All-Good.
With what theme is Psalm 24 concerned? First with the completeness of God's power and majesty as shown in His creation, and secondly with man's participation in this divine completeness.
Is the statement “For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods” entirely fanciful, or is it in harmony with modern scientific opinion? It is not at variance with the findings of modern scientific thought, since the earth, in common with the body of man, is largely fluid in its composition. The predominant element may be said to form the basis for the lesser.
In what respect can finite man approach the perfection and majesty of the Infinite? In integrity, honesty, and moral purity. “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.” . . . In truthfulness and genuineness of mind, heart, and soul, in sincerity and candor. Whoever will may develop perfection in these transcendent qualities, and whoever develops them ascends “into the hill of Jehovah” and stands “in his holy place” (spiritual consciousness).
What blessing from Jehovah accrues to the one who develops honesty, singleness of heart and purpose, candor, and integrity? These cardinal virtues are his greatest blessing, coming as the natural outgrowth of a well-lived life. A blessing so earned in the inner realm makes the entire life secure and radiant.
In what sense do we receive righteousness from the God of our salvation? As we establish the habit of expressing moral rectitude and spiritual truth, we develop a habit of thinking in harmony with the divine law and living by it. This is the standard by which we live, and it is the righteousness that we receive from God.
In our thought should we postpone to some future time the attainment of a world in which complete uprightness will prevail? No. We should affirm that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, that “this is the generation of them that seek after him.” The world needs spiritual consciousness now. Communication by ether waves has made men conscious of their Oneness. They must make themselves one in will and understanding.
What final proof of our ultimate oneness do we find in the text for today? The statement that the “King of glory,” who is to come into the hearts of all men and make universal peace a realized state, is “Jehovah of hosts,” the God of all. One world founded on truth, justice, and right; all men actuated by motives of good will and uprightness over all the Spirit of unselfish love: this is the dream of glory for us.
September 18, 1949: Psalms 24:1-6
Can the earth be considered the manifestation of spiritual cause? The earth is the manifestation of creative thought. “The earth is Jehovah's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.”
Why is the earth represented as “founded . . . upon the seas” and “established . . . upon the floods”? The sea signifies universal Mind, the great realm of unexpressed and unformed thoughts and ideas that contains all potentialities. Thus established, the earth is an expression of Mind, and its meaning is to be discerned by those who develop understanding.
What is the “holy place” in which the pure of heart and the clean of life are to stand? It is the spiritual consciousness.
In determining what is worthy of entering into the spiritual consciousness, what becomes of falsehood and deceit? Both are ruled out. Nothing that is false or that is intended to deceive can exist in the spiritual consciousness.
What blessing from Jehovah does an upright person receive? The blessing of a Godlike character.
Why is Jacob mentioned as belonging to “the generation of them that seek after him” [Jehovah]? The name Jacob means “the supplanter.” In the building up of character negative traits are supplanted by positive ones in every phase of mind and body activity.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 12-04-2013
