Psalm 24:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

NIV: for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

NASB: For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers.

CSB: for he laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.

NLT: For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.

KJV: For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

NKJV: For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.

The point here is not about the exact construction of the planet. Even as stated the meaning is not that the earth rests on water; rather this refers to how God separated the land from the water. He formed the sea and the rivers, the lakes and streams, the springs, ponds, and waterfalls. Genesis 1:2 points out that when God initiated the creation, "the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

When civilization reached its lowest moral point, God demonstrated clearly that He owns the waters. He sent a flood to sweep away the entire corrupt human race—with the exception of righteous Noah and his family (Genesis 6—9). The apostle Peter reminds us that "the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God [the land appeared from water], and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished" (2 Peter 3:5–6).

The Lord's ownership of the waters is further illustrated by the fact that He caused the flood in Noah's time to abate so that dry land appeared again (Genesis 8:1–5). Such a flood has not recurred, nor will it recur because the Lord promised He would never send such a flood again (Genesis 9:11).

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.