Read
(A psalm by David.)
Who Can Enter
1 The earth and everything on it,
including its people,
belong to the Lord.
The world and its people
belong to him.
2The Lord placed it all
on the oceans and rivers.
3Who may climb the Lord's hill
or stand in his holy temple?
4 Only those who do right
for the right reasons,
and don't worship idols
or tell lies under oath.
5The Lord God, who saves them,
will bless and reward them,
6because they worship and serve
the God of Jacob.
7Open the ancient gates,
so that the glorious king
may come in.
8Who is this glorious king?
He is our Lord, a strong
and mighty warrior.
9Open the ancient gates,
so that the glorious king
may come in.
10Who is this glorious king?
He is our Lord,
the All-Powerful!
Reflect
This psalm was probably written by David to mark the day when the ark was brought into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12-15). As David joined in the festive procession, God helped him to see great truths behind what was happening.
- A Symbolic Object – the ark represented the presence of the holy God with his people.
- A Symbolic Action – the Levites (or special ministers) after special washing and cleansing rituals, brought the ark into Jerusalem, the heart of the Jewish nation. But was it only a symbol, or would God really live in their hearts? That was the crucial question as David saw it.
God wants me to be pure literally, not just symbolically (vv 1-6). Not just outwardly, like the Levites, but inwardly too. It means right actions (“clean hands”), right motives (“pure heart”) and right thoughts (“not lift up his soul…”). We are cleansed when we are baptized, and every time we come to Jesus to ask for his forgiveness.
God wants to come into my heart literally, not just symbolically (vv 7-10). Not only the ark, but the “King of glory” coming in! When we participate in the Lord’s supper we re-enact this.
Respond
Lord Jesus Christ, I invite you into my life, if I have never done this before, and ask you to make it clean all through. If I know you already live in me, I thank you for your life in me, and for your love and forgiveness. Thank you for all that you did for me on the cross. I pray in your name, Amen.
Tony Capon
Born in England, Tony served in the British Army in Germany 1945-48, then graduated from Cambridge University and Oak Hill Theological College London. He served as an Anglican priest in London and in 1956, Tony and his wife emigrated to Canada. There he served as Associate and President of Scripture Union. Later, as SU Co-ordinator for the Americas, he travelled widely in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean promoting the work of SU. From 1975 to 1978 he served as Director of Development at Wycliffe College, Toronto, and from 1978 to 1991 as Principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College. He has just celebrated his 90th birthday!