Psalm 24 from my book, "Praying the Psalms for the Unborn Child."

Psalm 24
Ascension

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,
who do not put their trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.

5 They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.

7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.

This psalm commemorates Our Lord's glorious Ascension into heaven following His victory over death by His Resurrection. Jesus is glorified in heaven because of the redemption He won for us. All creation now belongs to Him, our Creator (24:1-2)⁴⁴. Who among us can enter into heaven with Him? Those who are innocent and abhor evil and trust only in God (24:3-4) will receive blessing and reward (vindication) from their Savior⁴⁵ (24:5). These are the ones who will see God (24:6). The Lord is so great that the gates must be opened all the way⁴⁶ so that He may enter for He is the powerful Ruler of all creation and glorious King (24:7-10).

Prayer for life: Jesus, my Lord and my God, I worship You and give You thanks and praise for all the terrible suffering and ignominious death to which You submitted Yourself in order to save my soul. I also rejoice in Your wonderful Ascension into heaven and Your crowning as its glorious King. I long to be with You one day, Lord, and so will keep a pure heart and place all my trust in You. I will shun those who promote the evil of abortion and seek the advice and help of those who love You and respect all life as a precious gift from You. May having my baby be a witness to my love for You and bring You glory. Amen.

Have a blessed day!
John

⁴⁴  Reardon, Patrick. Christ in the Psalms. Ben Lomond, CA: Conciliar Press, 2000. 46. Print.

⁴⁵ Kleist, James, and Thomas Lynam. The Psalms in Rhythmic Prose. 1st ed. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1954. 31. Print.

⁴⁶ Kleist, and Lynam 31.

Scripture (Psalm 24) taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY'S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by Biblica®. Used by permission of Biblica®. All rights reserved worldwide.

Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact. This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the glory of God.