Psalm 24:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

NIV: Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

NASB: This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face— even Jacob. Selah

CSB: Such is the generation of those who inquire of him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

NLT: Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude

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

NKJV: This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah

David refers to seeking God's face. This means to meet with God in a personal way. We use similar terminology in modern language. When a conversation needs to be personal, we speak of it needing to happen "face to face," or that something needs to be said "to that person's face." This level of direct communication requires closeness and deliberate choice. In Jeremiah 29:13–14 the Lord promises, "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD." Seeking the Lord, then, is not a casual or haphazard experience but an intense experience, a yearning to know God intimately (Matthew 7:7–8).

Here, David compares those who seek God in worship to the patriarch Jacob, who wrestled with God and would not quit until God blessed him (Genesis 32:22–26). When the match ended, Jacob was blessed, and he called the place where he wrestled with God, Peniel, meaning the face of God (Genesis 32:30).

Because Jesus paid the penalty of our sin, He opened the way to God so by faith we have a personal relationship with God. Paul phrases this in similarly personal terms, saying God speaks to us "in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). We can get to know God better if we spend quality time with Him.

This verse ends with the term selah, which has an unclear meaning. It might refer to a musical pause, or a declaration similar to the "amen" sometimes shouted when hearing a message.

Psalm 24:1–6 affirms what is declared in John 1:1–3 and Genesis 1—2: that God created everything. The people at worship or a chorus sang the first two verses, and a leader asked the question in verse 3. Psalm 15 echoes the truth taught in Psalm 24:4–6, and Matthew 5:6–8 reinforces the fact that only the righteous can see God. Tradition says this psalm celebrates David bringing the ark of the covenant back from Obed-edom's house (2 Samuel 6).

Tradition suggests this psalm celebrates the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. David declares God's role as Creator and Sovereign. He points out the need for worshippers of God to be sincere, truthful, and righteous. The psalm then calls out to the city of Jerusalem to welcome the "King of glory."

Psalm 24 follows logically after Psalms 22 and 23. Psalm 22 depicts the Good Shepherd's suffering on the cross. Psalm 23 depicts the depths of His care of his sheep. Psalm 24 depicts his return to rule as king. The cross is seen in Psalm 22. The shepherd's crook is seen in Psalm 23. The shepherd's crown is in view in Psalm 24. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, died for us (Psalm 22), cares for us (Psalm 23), and is coming for us (Psalm 24). Psalm 15 is a parallel to this passage.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.