Psalms 24:6

KJV

This [is] the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

KJV (with Strong's)

This is the generation {H1755} of them that seek {H1875} him, that seek {H1245} thy face {H6440}, O Jacob {H3290}. Selah {H5542}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Such is the character of those who seek him, of Ya'akov, who seeks your face. (Selah)

Berean Standard Bible

Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, O God of Jacob. Selah

American Standard Version

This is the generation of them that seek after him, That seek thy face, even Jacob. [Selah

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 24:6 serves as the climactic answer to the psalm's opening inquiry concerning who is worthy to ascend to the Lord's holy hill and stand in His presence. Following the declaration of God's universal sovereignty and the moral qualifications of clean hands and a pure heart, this verse succinctly defines the community that meets these divine standards: those who earnestly seek God, specifically characterized by their fervent desire to "seek thy face, O Jacob," signifying a deep longing for intimate communion and favor with the Almighty. It identifies a distinct spiritual lineage marked by genuine piety and a dedicated pursuit of God's presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 24 is a majestic "Ascension Psalm," often categorized as a liturgical psalm, likely used during processions to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It unfolds in three distinct movements. The first (verses 1-2) establishes God's absolute sovereignty as Creator and Owner of the earth. The second (verses 3-6) poses the crucial question, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?" and then provides the moral and spiritual qualifications for such access. Verse 6, the focus of this commentary, acts as the culminating definition of this qualified community, summarizing the character traits introduced in verse 4 (clean hands, pure heart, not lifting up soul to vanity, nor swearing deceitfully). The final movement (verses 7-10) shifts to a triumphant call for the ancient gates to open for the King of glory, celebrating God's victorious entry into His sanctuary. Thus, verse 6 bridges the human aspiration for divine presence with the divine condescension of God’s arrival.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm likely resonated deeply with ancient Israelite worship, particularly during pilgrimage festivals when worshippers would ascend to Jerusalem and the Temple. The "hill of the LORD" explicitly refers to Mount Zion, where the Temple stood. The imagery evokes a processional liturgy, perhaps commemorating the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem by King David, as recounted in [2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem"). The Ark symbolized God's presence, and its journey to Jerusalem was a significant theological and historical event. The emphasis on "clean hands" and a "pure heart" reflects the rigorous purity laws and moral expectations for approaching a holy God in the Israelite cultus, distinguishing genuine worship from mere ritualistic observance. The address "O Jacob" is a profound nod to Israel's foundational patriarch and the covenant people, suggesting that this call to seek God's face is directed to the entire community of faith, reminding them of their heritage and spiritual identity.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 24:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Accessibility and Holiness**, emphasizing that while God is sovereign and holy, He is also approachable, but on His terms, requiring moral and spiritual purity. This is not a casual encounter but a profound privilege for those who genuinely seek Him. Secondly, the phrase "seek thy face" highlights the theme of **Intimate Relationship and Communion with God**. It is an idiom for desiring God's favor, presence, and guidance, reflecting a deep longing for personal fellowship, not just adherence to laws. This earnest pursuit is contrasted with superficial religiosity. Thirdly, the concept of "the generation of them that seek him" speaks to the theme of **Spiritual Lineage and Community Identity**. It defines a distinct group of people—a spiritual family—who are characterized by their devotion to God, echoing the qualities of those described in [Psalm 15](/psalms/15 "Psalm 15 - The Citizen of Zion"). This "generation" transcends mere biological descent, pointing to a shared spiritual disposition that defines true membership in God's covenant people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seek (Hebrew, _bāqaš'_):** This verb signifies a diligent, earnest, and often persistent search or inquiry. It implies a strong desire and active pursuit, rather than a passive waiting. When applied to seeking God, it denotes a profound longing for His presence, favor, and guidance, indicating a heart fully devoted to knowing and experiencing Him. It is not a casual glance but a determined quest.
* **Face (Hebrew, _pānîm'_):** In biblical idiom, "face" often represents the presence, favor, and direct manifestation of a person. To "seek God's face" (or "thy face" here) is to desire His personal presence, His approval, His blessing, and His direct revelation. It's a desire for intimate communion and a direct encounter with God Himself, rather than merely His blessings or benefits. When God hides His face, it signifies disfavor or judgment; when He shows His face, it signifies favor and blessing.
* **Selah (Hebrew, _selāh'_):** This word, found frequently in the Psalms, is a musical or liturgical notation whose precise meaning is debated. It is generally understood to signify a pause for reflection, a musical interlude, or a change in musical accompaniment. In this context, it serves as a powerful invitation for the worshipper or reader to pause and deeply ponder the profound truth that has just been stated: the identity and character of those truly qualified to approach the holy God. It punctuates the revelation, allowing its weight to settle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This [is] the generation of them that seek him":** This clause identifies a distinct group of people, a spiritual lineage or community, defined by their active and earnest pursuit of God. The term "generation" (dôr) here does not refer to an age group but to a type or class of people who share a common spiritual characteristic. They are those whose lives are marked by a genuine, intentional, and continuous effort to draw near to God.
* **"that seek thy face, O Jacob.":** This phrase further specifies and intensifies the nature of their seeking. It clarifies that their pursuit is not merely for God's blessings or gifts, but for His very presence and favor ("thy face"). The address "O Jacob" is a vocative, directly addressing the people of Israel, the descendants of the patriarch Jacob. It serves to remind them of their identity as God's covenant people and to call them, as a community, to embody this characteristic of seeking God's intimate presence. It implies that this is the defining mark of true Israel.
* **"Selah.":** As discussed in the Key Word Analysis, this liturgical marker calls for a pause, inviting deep contemplation on the profound truth just uttered. It emphasizes the significance of the preceding statement, urging the audience to internalize the spiritual qualifications for approaching God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 24:6 employs several impactful literary devices. The most prominent is **Idiom** in the phrase "seek thy face," which is a rich biblical expression signifying a desire for intimate communion, favor, and direct encounter with God, far beyond a literal search for a physical countenance. This idiom is central to understanding the verse's spiritual depth. **Apostrophe** is used with the direct address "O Jacob," where the psalmist speaks directly to the nation of Israel, personifying them as the patriarch. This device creates a sense of immediacy and personal relevance, calling the entire community to embody the characteristics described. Furthermore, there is a subtle use of **Repetition** ("seek him, that seek thy face"), which emphasizes and reinforces the core action of the verse, underscoring the diligence and earnestness required in pursuing God. The inclusion of "Selah" functions as a **Rhetorical Pause**, drawing attention to the profound theological statement and inviting the audience to meditate deeply on its implications.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 24:6 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of true worship and access to God. It posits that genuine relationship with the Holy One is predicated not on ritualistic observance alone, but on an internal disposition of earnest seeking and moral purity. This verse connects the Old Testament emphasis on the Temple as the dwelling place of God's presence with the spiritual qualifications necessary to enter that presence. It teaches that God is not passively found but actively sought by those whose hearts are aligned with His righteousness. This pursuit of God's "face" is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, signifying a longing for intimate fellowship, divine guidance, and favor, which is the hallmark of a true believer. It anticipates the New Covenant understanding that access to God's presence is granted through faith and a transformed heart, rather than mere physical proximity to a sacred space.

* [Psalm 27:8](/psalms/27-8 "Psalm 27:8 - Seeking God's Face")
* [Hosea 10:12](/hosea/10-12 "Hosea 10:12 - Seek the Lord")
* [Matthew 5:8](/matthew/5-8 "Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 24:6 offers a timeless challenge and encouragement for believers today, prompting deep introspection into the nature of our relationship with God. Are we truly part of this "generation" that earnestly seeks His face? In a world filled with distractions and superficial pursuits, this verse calls us back to the foundational priority of desiring God's intimate presence above all else. Our access to God's holy presence is not based on external performance or religious affiliation alone, but on a sincere, active, and persistent longing for Him, coupled with a commitment to purity of heart and action. This verse reminds us that true worship flows from a life that actively pursues God's presence and aligns with His righteousness. It encourages us to cultivate a lifestyle of seeking God first, recognizing that His presence is the ultimate reward and the source of all blessing. This pursuit should shape our prayers, our decisions, and our daily walk, transforming us into the kind of people who truly belong to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it practically mean in your daily life to "seek God's face"?**
* **How does the concept of "clean hands and a pure heart" (from Psalm 24:4) relate to the idea of "seeking God's face" in verse 6?**
* **In what ways might our modern pursuits distract us from earnestly seeking God's presence?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper, more consistent desire for intimate communion with God?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "O Jacob" in this verse?**

Answer: The address "O Jacob" refers not to the patriarch Jacob himself, but to his spiritual descendants—the nation of Israel, or more broadly, all true believers who share the faith and character of Jacob. Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (meaning "struggles with God" or "God strives"), represents God's chosen people. By addressing "Jacob," the psalmist is calling the entire community of God's people to embody the characteristic of seeking God's face. It signifies that this earnest pursuit of God's presence is the defining mark of true membership in God's covenant family, distinguishing them from those who merely bear the name without the heart. It's a reminder of their heritage and their spiritual calling.

**Does "Selah" have any theological meaning in Psalms 24:6?**

Answer: While "Selah" is primarily understood as a musical or liturgical notation, inviting a pause or musical interlude, its placement in Psalms 24:6 carries significant theological weight. It serves as a powerful rhetorical device, urging the reader or worshipper to pause and deeply ponder the profound truth that has just been stated: the identity of those truly qualified to approach God. It punctuates the revelation of who God's true seekers are, allowing the weight and importance of this spiritual definition to settle in the heart and mind. It emphasizes that the preceding statement is not to be quickly passed over but meditated upon for its spiritual implications, reinforcing the solemnity and importance of seeking God's face.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 24:6, with its declaration of a "generation" seeking God's face through purity, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament longing for access to God's holy presence, often mediated through the Temple and its rituals, is perfectly realized in Christ, who is the true and living Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the Temple")). He is the one with "clean hands and a pure heart" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, our High Priest")), perfectly fulfilling the qualifications for ascending God's holy hill. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has opened the way for all who believe to boldly approach the throne of grace ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Boldness to Enter the Holy Place")). The "generation of them that seek him" now encompasses all who, by faith in Christ, are made pure and are given the Holy Spirit, enabling them to truly seek and experience God's face in an intimate, personal relationship. Jesus Himself declared, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" ([Matthew 5:8](/matthew/5-8 "Matthew 5:8 - The Beatitudes")), directly echoing the essence of Psalms 24:6 and revealing that He is the means by which this spiritual vision and communion become possible for all who are called by His name, the true "Israel of God" ([Galatians 6:16](/galatians/6-16 "Galatians 6:16 - The Israel of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 27:8

[When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Psalms 105:4

Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Psalms 22:30

A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

Romans 4:16

Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Isaiah 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

John 1:47

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: