Psalm 24 1

Psalm 24:1 kjv

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

Psalm 24:1 nkjv

A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

Psalm 24:1 niv

Of David. A psalm. The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

Psalm 24:1 esv

The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

Psalm 24:1 nlt

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.

Psalm 24 verses

Psalm 24 1 Meaning

Psalm 24:1 declares the absolute and sovereign ownership of God, identified as YHWH, over the entire created order. This includes the physical globe, its vast resources, everything contained within it, and all its inhabitants, especially humanity. It establishes a foundational theological truth: nothing in creation exists independently of the Creator, nor does any other deity possess true claim over any part of it. This verse serves as an essential prelude to understanding who may approach and worship this sovereign God.

Psalm 24 1 Context

Psalm 24 is believed to be a processional psalm, likely recited during a liturgical entry into the Temple or city gates in Jerusalem. It shifts between a declaration of God's universal dominion (vv. 1-2), a query about who can approach God's holy presence (vv. 3-6), and a magnificent call for the gates to open to welcome the King of Glory (vv. 7-10). Verse 1 establishes the fundamental truth upon which all subsequent worship and inquiry are based: the absolute ownership of the Temple's God not only over Israel but over the entire cosmos. Historically, this declaration was significant within a polytheistic Near Eastern world where various gods were assigned ownership of different lands, waters, or domains. Psalm 24:1 serves as a direct polemic against such localized or divided sovereignty, emphatically asserting YHWH's exclusive and comprehensive claim over all reality, transcending any human-made territorial or divine boundaries.

Psalm 24 1 Word analysis

• The earth: (Hebrew: 'erets, אֶרֶץ)
  • Significance: A common, comprehensive term referring to the physical ground, land, or the entire planet. Here, it denotes the material substance of creation, indicating God's ownership extends to all physical domains.
  • From biblical understanding: 'erets is central to creation accounts (Gen 1:1, 2) and also refers to specific territories (e.g., land of Israel), but in this universal context, it implies the global scope of God's dominion.
• is the LORD's, (Hebrew: l-YHWH, לַיהוָה)
  • Significance: The possessive preposition "l-" (lamed) unmistakably declares ownership. "LORD" represents YHWH, the sacred, covenantal, and personal name of God revealed to Israel. This identifies the universal Creator as the very God of Israel's covenant.
  • From biblical understanding: The use of YHWH here connects universal creation with redemptive history, meaning the God who creates all is also the God who acts in covenant with His people, uniquely establishing His claim over them through relationship. It is not just a general deity but the specific God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who possesses all.
• and the fullness thereof; (Hebrew: u-m'lo'ah, וּמְלוֹאָהּ)
  • Significance: m'lo' means "that which fills," "its contents," or "abundance." This phrase emphasizes the completeness of God's ownership; it includes everything contained within the earth—minerals, resources, plants, animals, natural phenomena.
  • From biblical understanding: This phrase expands "the earth" to encompass its entire contents and richness, preventing any limitation on God's ownership (cf. Ps 50:12, 1 Cor 10:26). It covers everything that fills up the earth's space.
• the world, (Hebrew: tevel, תֵּבֵל)
  • Significance: A distinct Hebrew term from 'erets, often referring specifically to the "inhabited earth," the fruitful and cultivable world where human life thrives. It signifies the realm of human activity, civilization, and culture.
  • From biblical understanding: The use of tevel alongside 'erets emphasizes the inhabited aspect, God's claim over not just inert matter but the ordered world structured for life. It suggests a focus on the human sphere of existence.
• and they that dwell therein. (Hebrew: v'yoshvei vah, וְיֹשְׁבֵי בָהּ)
  • Significance: yashav means "to sit," "to dwell," "to inhabit." This explicitly states that humanity itself is included in God's universal ownership. It progresses from the physical realm to the animate and specifically intelligent life.
  • From biblical understanding: This part reinforces God's dominion over all people. As Creator of humanity, He is also their rightful Lord, possessing ultimate authority over their lives and destinies, regardless of their allegiances. It includes all nations and peoples.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof": This foundational statement declares God's universal ownership over the material world and all its tangible contents, from its depths to its surface, signifying a holistic dominion over creation's material substance and resources.
• "the world, and they that dwell therein": This phrase further refines and expands the scope. "The world" (tevel) specifically emphasizes the habitable and inhabited earth, drawing attention to the realm of human civilization. "And they that dwell therein" then explicitly clarifies that humanity, in its entirety, falls under God's dominion. This signifies not just control over nature, but also sovereignty over sentient, moral agents. Together, these two clauses paint a complete picture of God's exhaustive and unchallenged authority over both the physical universe and all its conscious inhabitants.

Psalm 24 1 Bonus section

• The declaration in Psalm 24:1 functions as a doxological and liturgical affirmation, frequently recited as pilgrims entered the Temple, serving as a reminder of whose house they were entering and before whom they stood.
• This verse underpins the biblical concept of justice and equity: because God owns all the world and its inhabitants, His law is universally applicable, and He judges all nations and peoples righteously, irrespective of their local customs or deities (Ps 96:10, Acts 17:31).
• The New Testament directly quotes this verse (1 Cor 10:26) to justify the believer's freedom in Christ regarding food, stating that since God owns everything, food offered to idols holds no power over what believers can eat, though caution is given regarding conscience. This demonstrates the enduring relevance of Ps 24:1's declaration for Christian liberty and theology.
• This statement of ownership stands in contrast to common ancient Near Eastern mythologies where various deities divided up portions of the cosmos. YHWH's claim here is absolute and singular.
• The progression from "earth" to "fullness" to "world" to "dwellers" showcases a comprehensive inclusion, leaving no aspect of existence outside of God's domain. It's a crescendo of God's expansive reach.

Psalm 24 1 Commentary

Psalm 24:1 opens with a resounding declaration of divine sovereignty, setting the stage for who can approach God's holy mountain. Its primary purpose is to establish God's absolute ownership and universal authority. This is not merely a statement about creation's origins, but an ongoing affirmation of God's present, active rule over everything that exists. The phrase "the earth is the LORD's" combats any notion of independent existence or control by other gods, local spirits, or even human rulers. Every resource, every being, every land belongs exclusively to YHWH, the God of Israel. This truth lays the groundwork for understanding true worship; since God owns everything, all creation owes Him honor, and humanity is specifically accountable to Him as His created subjects. This perspective fundamentally shapes how believers are to view wealth, natural resources, and their relationships with one another—as stewards, not ultimate owners, living under the pervasive dominion of God.

• Practical Usage Example: Understanding Ps 24:1 reminds believers that environmental stewardship is not an option but a duty, as they are caring for the LORD's property. It also teaches humility, acknowledging that their very existence and everything they possess are gifts from God, dispelling pride in possessions or achievements. It counters the worldly notion of absolute human dominion by affirming God's ultimate ownership over all.