Psalms 24:7–10

In Psalm 22 we see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In Psalm 23 we find the Shepherd, in His tender care, feeding and keeping the sheep and lambs of His flock, so dearly bought and so dearly loved. In Psalm 24 we gaze upon the "King of glory," "the Lord strong and mighty in battle," the "Lord of hosts," coming into His kingdom. The "everlasting doors" (of Zion on earth, I think) are told to lift themselves up to receive Him. It is like Revelation 19, where the double doors of heaven are thrown open. There the "King of kings" and "Lord of lords," on His white horse of victory, sets out from heaven on His triumphant journey to earth.

Here we see the Lord Himself enter His temple, to rest at last, after the long strife is over. He is the glorious King, so long refused or ignored, now clothed with irresistible might. The challenge goes out to the gates that had shut Him out. They must lift up their heads and let in a greater Visitor than they had ever known before. Yet back comes the question, as if those who asked it still did not know His majesty: "Who is this King of glory?" ... No doubt the words may look back to David's capture of Zion in the power of God. But that was a picture, and the psalm looks on to the day it comes true... It is not easy for the gates to lift themselves so high. But it must be: His grace will take no refusal.

For centuries men have closed the gates of their hearts to the true King of Israel, and the nation Israel has been especially guilty here. What a change when the Lord Jesus comes to claim His own rights! Jerusalem will then open its gates wide to receive Israel's true Messiah. And the psalm calls those doors "everlasting." Why? Because He will take His place of supreme authority for ever. Nothing can ever again challenge this King of God's appointment.

The Psalms teach His deity clearly and plainly. Psalm 24:7-10 calls "the King of glory" by the name "the Lord of hosts." But this King of glory is also "mighty in battle." He is the same Victor we see in Psalm 45 with a sword strapped to His thigh. And He is none other than "the Word of God" (Revelation 19:11-16).

Many take this passage as an application rather than an interpretation, and make it refer to our Lord's entry into heavenly glory. That is surely allowed. Still, the point here is the public glory that is yet to come. As far as this world goes, it is not enough for Him to be glorified in private. He must have public glory too. And He must have that full glory in the very place where He was publicly shamed.

Wherever He enters, the gates open wide to receive the "King of glory." This is true of His earthly city, and true of the heavenly Jerusalem that the earthly one pictured. He enters the glory by His own blood. And the welcome He is given there, as King of glory, rests on this: He has accomplished an eternal redemption and has glorified God.

What a welcome awaits Him inside those gates, outside of which they once put Him to death. With what joy and triumph will He enter, where He was once led out in sorrow and shame. He will be her glory then.

"Who is this King of glory?" The answer is clear and decisive: the King, the Lord Jesus, is Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle. The question is asked so that people will be challenged to recognise that the Lord Jesus is no less than Jehovah. In fact, the answer is given a second time, with the same question asked again (vv. 9-10), because the matter is one of the greatest importance.

In the Psalms we have His deity clearly and distinctly taught. "The King of glory" in Ps. 24:7-10 is declared to be "Jehovah of hosts." But this King of glory is also "mighty in battle," and is identical with the Victor who is seen in Ps. 45 with sword girded on His thigh, and He is none other than "the Word of God" (Rev. 19:11-16).

The closing verses of the psalm celebrate the entry of Christ, as the King of glory, into the sanctuary among His people. The answer tells us of the glory of His person and His work. For His people He gained the great victory at the cross, over every enemy. So we have not only His claims to the kingdom as Creator, and not only His rights as the perfect Man, but also the righteous ground of all blessing for His people: the mighty victory of the cross.

First, He is "Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle." He will come fresh from His victories — the victories foretold in Psalm 2. There He will mock the kings of the earth and their rulers. There He will break the rebellious nations with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a clay pot. But the One who will ride in triumph then once suffered and was forsaken, so that He might win a victory of another sort at the cross.

Now we see Jehovah Himself enter His temple and rest at last, the long struggle over. He is the glorious King, refused or ignored for so long, and now clothed with unstoppable might. The gates that had been shut against Him are challenged. They are told to lift up their heads and let in a greater Visitor than they had ever known. But the answer comes back as a question, as if those who asked it still did not grasp His majesty: "Who is this King of glory?"

Many take this passage as an application rather than an interpretation, making it refer to our Lord entering heavenly glory. That is quite allowable, no doubt… Still, the point here is the public glory that is yet to come. It is not enough for Him to be glorified in private, as far as this world is concerned. He must have public glory too.

Wherever He enters, the gates open wide to receive the "King of glory" — whether His earthly city, or the heavenly Jerusalem that the earthly one pictured. He enters the glory by His own blood. His welcome there as King of glory rests on His having accomplished an eternal redemption and having glorified God.

In Psalm 22 we see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In Psalm 23 we find the Shepherd, tenderly feeding and caring for the sheep and lambs of His flock… In Psalm 24 we gaze on the "King of glory," "the Lord strong and mighty in battle," the "Lord of hosts," coming into His kingdom… His head circled with "many crowns" — God's answer to that "crown of thorns."

The appeal is made again. But from the gates the question comes yet again: "Who is He, this King of glory?" Long ago, in the presence of the risen Lord, the disciples did not believe for joy, and wondered. So here too the wonderful truth is too great to be taken in at once. It is not easy for the gates to lift themselves so high. But it must be: His grace will take no denial. With the magnificence of His universal title He will put down all resistance to His will.

The reason for asking the question is that men might be challenged to recognise that the Lord Jesus is no less than Jehovah. In fact, the psalm makes the declaration a second time and asks the same question again (vv. 9-10). The matter is of the greatest importance. If people will not face this, they are guilty of insulting Jehovah. Such unbelief must end in eternal destruction.

Scripture reveals that there is a mighty heavenly host, and principalities and powers in the unseen world. God is the God of them all, as well as God of all the elements of nature, which He has often used to punish His enemies... In Psalm 24:10 the Lord Jesus is shown to be "Jehovah of hosts: He is the King of glory."

This King of glory is also "mighty in battle." He is the same Victor seen in Psalm 45 with a sword strapped to His thigh. He is none other than "the Word of God" (Revelation 19:11-16).

For centuries the hearts of men have stayed closed to the true King of Israel. Israel as a nation has been especially guilty in this. What a change will take place when the Lord Jesus comes to claim His own rights! At that time the gates of Jerusalem will open wide to receive Israel's true Messiah. And the doors are called "everlasting." Why? Because He will take His place of supreme authority for eternity. Nothing can ever again challenge this King of God's appointment.

What a welcome awaits Him inside those gates, outside of which they once put Him to death. With what joy and triumph will He enter the place where He was once led out in sorrow and shame.

Here we have the glorious appearing and entry of the King into His House and dwelling place. It is a most magnificent description. It has nothing to do with the ascension of our Lord. This is His glorious return and entry into the earthly Zion, to fill it once more with His visible glory.

Many take the passage as an application rather than an interpretation. They make it refer to our Lord's entrance into heavenly glory. This is quite permissible, no doubt. He has been glorified "at once" in the presence of God, in keeping with His own words in John 13:32. Still, the public glory that is yet to come is strictly the point here... And He must be abundantly glorified in the very scene of His public dishonour.

Wherever He enters, the gates open wide to receive the "King of glory." This holds for His earthly city, and for the heavenly Jerusalem which the earthly city pictured. He enters by His own blood into the glory. The welcome He is given there, as King of glory, rests on this: He has accomplished an eternal redemption, and He has glorified God.

We do not meet with this name until 1 Samuel 1:3. It came in with prophetic testimony, faith laying hold of Jehovah's glory when Israel had corrupted themselves and were in a weak and low estate. Scripture reveals that there is a mighty heavenly host, and principalities and powers in the unseen world. God is the God of them all, as well as God of all the elements of nature... In Psalm 24:10 the Lord Jesus is shown to be "Jehovah of hosts: He is the King of glory," compare Ephesians 1:20-21; Colossians 1:16. The same title occurs in the New Testament as the LORD OF SABAOTH, Romans 9:29 (in a quotation from Isaiah 1:9), and James 5:4.

The Psalms teach His deity clearly. Psalm 24:7-10 declares "the King of glory" to be "Jehovah of hosts." But this King of glory is also "mighty in battle." He is the same Victor we see in Psalm 45 with a sword strapped to His thigh, and He is none other than "the Word of God" (Revelation 19:11-16).

The question is asked to challenge people to recognise that the Lord Jesus is no less than Jehovah. In fact the psalm declares it a second time, and asks the same question again (vv. 9-10), because the matter is of the greatest significance.

Long ago the disciples saw the risen Lord, and their joy was so great that they could not believe it, and they wondered. It is the same here. The wonderful truth is too great to be taken in at once, and it is not easy for the gates to lift themselves so high. But it must be... Listen: "Jehovah of hosts! HE is the King of glory."

He is the Lord of hosts, for others are joined with Him. Revelation 19:14 shows us that He will come out as a Warrior to judgment. The armies of heaven will follow Him — His heavenly saints, who are to wear His likeness and share His triumphs. In them, and in others too, He will see the fruit of the suffering of His soul.

He is the One strong and mighty who maintained the holiness of God and won a great victory for His people at the cross. As the Shepherd, He led His people through the wilderness journey. As the King of glory and the Lord of hosts, He will bring His people into the millennial blessing of the kingdom.

Here we see the King appear in glory and enter His house and dwelling place... It has nothing to do with the ascension of our Lord. It is His glorious return and entry into the earthly Zion, to fill it once more with His visible glory... He who was forsaken on the cross is now crowned with many crowns.

Many take the passage as an application rather than an interpretation, and read it of our Lord entering heavenly glory. That is quite fair, no doubt, for God has glorified Him at once in His own presence, as the Lord said in John 13:32. Still, the point here is the public glory that is yet to come... And especially, He must be richly glorified in the very place of His public dishonour.

The challenge goes out: "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?" That is, who shall take the government of this earth and all that fills it? The answer comes as another challenge to the city gates, calling them to lift up their heads to the Lord of hosts, the King of glory. It is a fervent way of saying that the Lord, in strength and victory, the Lord as Redeemer and Avenger, will take the government.