◄ What Does Psalm 24:8 Mean? ►

Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:8(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Though short and concise, Psalm 24 is packed with praise, jubilation, and information about the King of glory. It speaks of the great reception that will greet the Lord God almighty, when He comes to set up His kingdom of heaven on earth, and enters into the Holy City of Jerusalem, about which prophets have testified of old.

Those who believe, both Jew and Gentile alike, know Him to be Jesus Christ the Righteous, Who died for the sin of the world and rose again the third day. He will be acknowledged as that great King of Righteousness, Who came to save His people from their sin. To those who already know Him and believe on His name, He is the King of glory and Lord of Hosts.

It was David who wrote this song of praise, who rejoices that the whole earth, its harvest, its fruitfulness and life itself belongs to our God. He is the one Who made it, keeps it, and upholds it with His righteous right hand. He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. He is our great and righteous King of glory, Lord of heaven and earth. What a wonderful God we serve.

David went on to ask the question, "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord and who may stand in His holy place?" He wanted to know who had a right to enter the kingdom of God, and went on to provide the answer. "The person who has clean hands and a pure heart." Only those who have been declared righteous by faith are granted access into the presence of the Lord. Only those that are are clothed in His perfect righteousness by faith can ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy presence.

Those who seek His face, trust His Word and are pure in heart through the washing of the water of the Word, will receive this blessing. It is made clear that only those that are saved by grace through faith, will receive this blessing from the Lord. They will be clothed in righteousness from the God of our salvation. This is indeed a message of hope and encouragement for all who have trusted Christ for their salvation.

David then called on the very gates of the city to "Lift up your heads, O gates. Be lifted up, O ancient doors so the King of glory may come in!" It is likely that the historical context for this Psalm, was King David's joyful entrance into the city of Jerusalem with the Ark of the Covenant. David had recently rescued the Ark from the hands of the Philistines who had captured it some months before.

However, through the eye of prophecy, we know that this joyful reception looks forward to the return of Christ Jesus our Lord, to set up His kingdom on earth. He is the King of glory, and a day is coming when He will pass through the gates of Jerusalem and enter the city for His glorious coronation, and all who have been declared righteous will rejoice. All who have clean hands and a pure heart by faith in Him, will be admitted into this holy place.

As the blessed citizens of the Holy City rejoice that the King of kings is coming in, so the very gates of Jerusalem will be flung open to admit their great and mighty King. We know Him as Jesus, the Son of the living God, and a day is coming when He will return in power and great glory, to set up His millennial kingdom and bring peace and prosperity to the whole earth.

Although the answer is already well-known, the question is asked, "WHO is the King of glory?" Who is the King that is coming through the gates of the city? Who is the one that is being welcomed with great joy and jubilation? Who is the Person that is being praised by those with a clean heart and who are clothed in garments of righteousness? And the answer is quickly given, "The LORD strong and mighty. The LORD mighty in battle."

Indeed, when the question is repeated in the last verse, we are given even more information about this strong and powerful King, Who is mighty in battle, for He is addressed as The LORD of Hosts, the LORD of heaven and earth. He is the King of Glory. He is our Almighty God and our Great Creator. He is Jesus Christ our God and our Saviour.

Unlike the kingdoms of this world that come and go, His will be an everlasting kingdom. Unlike earthly rulers, who rise to power but are set low by God's sovereign authority, the King of glory, Who is strong and mighty to save, is God's Anointed King and prophesied Messiah. He is God's dearly beloved Son, and will rule the earth with righteousness until He has put ALL enemies under His feet and returned the kingdom back to His Heavenly Father. Praise His holy name.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You, that Jesus is the King of glory, Who is mighty to save. Thank You, that He came to earth as the Suffering Servant, to die on the cross to pay the price for my sins, and rose again so that I too will rise to life immortal. Thank You, that He is coming back in power and great glory, to judge the earth in righteousness and rule and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Thank You, that He is mighty in battle and that You loved us so much that You prepared Your plan of redemption and sent Him to be our Kinsman-Redeemer. How I praise and thank You for Jesus, in Whose name I pray, AMEN.