Psalms 24:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. The earth {H776} is the LORD'S {H3068}, and the fulness {H4393} thereof; the world {H8398}, and they that dwell {H3427} therein.

By David. A psalm: The earth is ADONAI's, with all that is in it, the world and those who live there;

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein.

The earth is Jehovah’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.

Commentary

Psalm 24:1 is a foundational declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and ownership over all creation. Penned by King David, this verse sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which goes on to describe who is worthy to ascend the Lord's holy hill.

Context

This psalm, attributed to David, is often thought to have been composed for a grand procession, possibly the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (as suggested by the subsequent verses regarding the "King of glory" entering the gates). Before addressing the qualifications for approaching God, David first establishes God's universal dominion. In a world where many nations worshipped localized deities, this opening statement boldly asserts that the God of Israel is not merely a tribal deity, but the rightful owner and ruler of the entire cosmos, including all its inhabitants. It serves as a majestic prelude, grounding any discussion of worship or access to God in the fundamental truth of His ultimate authority.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Ownership: The verse unequivocally states that "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof." This declares God's ultimate proprietary right over everything that exists. He is not just a powerful being, but the rightful possessor of the entire world and all its contents, from natural resources to every living creature. This echoes the creation account in Genesis 1:1, where God is presented as the sole Creator.
  • Universal Dominion: The phrase "the world, and they that dwell therein" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's rule. His authority extends not only to the physical planet but also to all humanity and every form of life that inhabits it. There is no corner of existence outside of His purview or control. This concept is reinforced in verses like 1 Chronicles 29:11, which exalts His universal greatness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is Yahweh (often translated as JEHOVAH in older English versions), the covenant name of God, signifying His personal, relational, and self-existent nature. This emphasizes that the God who entered into covenant with Israel is the same God who owns and rules the entire universe. The term "fulness thereof" (Hebrew: umlo'ah) literally means "that which fills it," encompassing everything within the earth – all its resources, creatures, and wealth. This highlights the comprehensive nature of God's ownership, leaving nothing outside His domain.

Practical Application

Understanding that "The earth is the LORD'S" has profound implications for how we live:

  • Stewardship: If God owns everything, then we are merely stewards of the resources, talents, and time He has entrusted to us. This calls for responsible management and a recognition that all we possess is on loan from Him.
  • Humility and Worship: This verse invites us to humble ourselves before the Creator of all things. Our lives, our possessions, and even our very existence are dependent on Him. It compels us to worship Him as the sovereign Lord of all.
  • Trust and Security: In a chaotic world, the declaration of God's universal ownership offers immense comfort. It reminds us that ultimately, God is in control, and His purposes will prevail, as He is the one by whom all things were created and held together.

This powerful opening verse of Psalm 24 reminds us of God's supreme authority, inviting us to acknowledge His rightful place as the ultimate owner and ruler of all.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 89:11 (79 votes)

    The heavens [are] thine, the earth also [is] thine: [as for] the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:26 (72 votes)

    For the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:11 (65 votes)

    Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

  • Job 41:11 (48 votes)

    ¶ Who hath prevented me, that I should repay [him? whatsoever is] under the whole heaven is mine.

  • Deuteronomy 10:14 (44 votes)

    Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD'S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].

  • Exodus 9:29 (41 votes)

    And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; [and] the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth [is] the LORD'S.

  • Exodus 19:5 (34 votes)

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: