A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

PSALMS 24:1KJV
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Psalms 24:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 24:1 mean?

Psalms 24:1 declares that everything on earth belongs to the LORD, including all its resources and every person living in it. The verse emphasizes God’s ownership and authority over the entire world and everything that fills it.

This psalm is attributed to David, who is speaking about God’s relationship to creation. David is addressing anyone who hears or reads the psalm, reminding them that the earth and all its fullness are not human possessions but are under God’s care and rule. The verse sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which explores who is worthy to approach God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 24:1

  • אֶרֶץ (ʾerets, "earth"): This word often means the physical land or the whole planet, highlighting that God’s ownership is not limited to one place but covers all the earth.
  • מְלוֹא (melo, "fulness"): This term refers to everything that fills the earth—its resources, creatures, and abundance—stressing that nothing is outside God’s domain.
  • תֵּבֵל (tevel, "world"): This word can refer to the inhabited world or the people living in it, pointing out that God’s authority includes all nations and peoples.
  • יָשַׁב (yashav, "dwell"): This verb means to live or reside, making it clear that every person, not just the land, is included in what belongs to God.

Why Psalms 24:1 matters

  • Psalms 24:1 corrects the idea that humans ultimately own the earth or its resources, reminding readers that everything is God’s by right.
  • The verse sets up the rest of the psalm, which discusses who may approach God, by first establishing God’s supreme authority over all creation.
  • This verse connects to other biblical themes about stewardship and responsibility, since recognizing God’s ownership shapes how people treat the world and each other.

Where else these words appear

“fulness” Hebrew H4393 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
  • 1 Samuel 28:20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
  • Isaiah 31:4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

“world” Hebrew H8398 · used in 36 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
  • Psalms 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
  • Isaiah 14:17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

“Psalm” Hebrew H4210 · used in 57 verses

  • Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
  • Psalms 39:1 To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
  • Psalms 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.