Who Is This King of Glory

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Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10 (NIV)

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 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not 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.

 

Devotion:

                The location of psalm 24 directly after psalm 23 could not have been mere coincidence. In psalm 23 we have the Lord pictured as a gentle shepherd who cares tenderly for his people. The sheep of His pasture. Psalm 24 immediately moves into a broad affirmation of praise to our God as king over his kingdom. We know of no exact occasion David had in mind for the composition of this psalm. All we can say about the context is that it is an entrance psalm sung to rally worshippers into lifting up their very beings in worship to God.

            The psalm begins by declaring that the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. People both good and bad are His people. He made them all. He gives up on no one for any reason. However, in verses three and four we read that only certain people can go up to the mountain of the Lord. People who have not soiled their hands by participating in sin or worshiping some foreign god. These are the people that God chooses to be with Him in the most holy place. God seeks a generation who will seek after Him and do His will.

            Verses seven through ten raise a great hymn of praise to the “King of glory.” The writer of the psalm declares this one to be strong in battle. The great King is declared victorious over all His foes. Even the ancient gates and doors recognize this mighty king. They open to let the triumphant King to enter. In the last verse asks and then answers who is the one who comes in victory amid all this celebration and worship. The people ask and the psalmist answers unequivocally, “The Lord Almighty—He is the King of glory.”

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