Psalm 24 Catholic: The Earth Is the Lord's, King of Glory

Psalm 24 begins with creation, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof,” asks who may climb God’s holy mountain, and ends in a triumphant cry: “Lift up your gates, O ye princes… and the King of Glory shall enter in.” Christians hear in it the coming of Christ, the King of Glory, into the world, into his Temple and into heaven. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 23. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.

Psalm 24 in the Douay-Rheims Bible

On the first day of the week, a psalm for David. The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein.
For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place?
The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour.
This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

Psalm 24 or Psalm 23?

The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 23 is Psalm 24 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Domini est terra, et plenitudo eius. See how many psalms are there?

What the psalm means

Everything belongs to God: “The earth is the Lord’s… the world, and all they that dwell therein.”
Who may stand before God? “The innocent in hands, and clean of heart.” Jesus echoes this: “Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.”
Seeking his face: “This is the generation of them that seek him.”
The King of Glory: the ancient gates are told to open for the Lord. The Church applies this to Christ entering the world at Christmas, the Temple at the Presentation, and heaven at the Ascension.
“The Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory”: the psalm ends by naming the King.

How the Church uses Psalm 24

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A): “Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.” See Advent.
On All Saints Day: “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.” See All Saints Day.
On the Presentation of the Lord (February 2): “Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!” See the Presentation of the Lord.
As an Invitatory psalm that may open the Liturgy of the Hours.

A prayer with Psalm 24

Written for this page:

Lord, the earth and all it holds are yours.
Give me clean hands and a pure heart, that I may seek your face.
Lift up the gates of my heart, and come in, King of Glory,
and reign in me now and for ever. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the King of Glory in Psalm 24?

The Lord himself. Christians recognize him in Jesus Christ, who enters his Temple and heaven in glory.

Why is Psalm 24 used on All Saints Day?

Because it describes the people who “seek the face of the God of Jacob,” the clean of heart who will see God.

More psalms and prayers

Texts and sources

Scripture: Psalm 23 (24), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
The prayer was written for this page.