Psalm 24: on respect for God’s place of worship
There is a clue offered in the subtitle of this psalm: “For a solemn entry into the sanctuary”, the NJB says, and it adds in the footnotes: “Possibly vv 7-10 refer to the transfer of the ark in the days of David, 2S 6:12-16…” So it looks like this psalm was sung at the temple, in remembrance of that momentous occasion when David brought the ark back to Jerusalem. It is even possible that these verses, 7-10, were sung at that time. We don’t know, but we can suppose, can’t we?
The psalm itself seems to be written for an official entry into the sanctuary, and it seems to follow a certain structure. In verses 1 and 2, God’s authority is established. In verses 3-6 the nature of those who are “seeking [God's] presence” is clarified, through a question and answer. It’s almost as if we can see them, approaching the temple gate, and a chorus of priests sings verse 3, then the faithful answer in verses 4, 5, and 6. The same question and answer presentation can be found in verses 7 and 10, where God’s identity is once again established through praise.
I see in this psalm the importance of praising God, and the importance of approaching His sanctuary with reverence. It’s not that God requires praise, although He is the only One deserving of it. But when I obey God’s commandments, God’s Law, and I love God with all my heart, I cannot help praising Him for His perfection and goodness. The more one gets to know God, the more imperfect everything else in this world seems, especially people (me included,) and the more perfect God is. Praise flows naturally, in a desire to show my appreciation for what He has done and is doing in my life, and because I wish to be more like Him.
As for the second insight, reverence toward His sanctuary, that seems to be lost nowadays. Churches are becoming more and more like theatres. Church services are becoming more and more like shows, with special lighting, popular music, dramatic entrances, TV screens everywhere, flashy sermon graphics, makeup on the pastors and those participating in the service, to make them look good for the cameras, etc. The church members are turning into an audience. They come to church to be entertained, to gab and gossip, to SMS their friends, to surf the Internet, play games on their cellphones or computers, etc. What’s the point of coming to church if that’s what you’re going to do there? What’s the point of calling it a church service if it’s more like a show? What’s the point of calling it a church when it’s nothing more than a place to hold motivational and self-esteem building seminars with a religious tinge - but be careful, too much religion and you risk turning away the “faithful” who stand ready to experience “financial freedom” or “blessed lives” or “personal fulfillment”!
Why don’t we go back to the basics? Why don’t we focus on OUR personal relationship with God, and on being more like Him, like Jesus? Why don’t we go to church to fellowship with our Christian friends in peace and quiet, away from the headaches of the normal work week? Why don’t we put aside personal interests and focus on God when we’re in church? It sounds easy, but it’s really hard. What makes it easier to put into practice though, is to remember that a church is supposed to be a place where we “seek [God's] presence”.
