King of Glory – Psalm 24

This is a royal psalm, not talking about a human ruler, however, but the divine Ruler, Yahweh of hosts.  His hosts include Israel’s army, but also the heavenly bodies, stars, sun and moon.  “It is, therefore, the Ruler commanding innumerable and invincible super-terrestrial powers, who desires admission” to the temple (Keil and Delitzsch).

The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?   And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.  He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!  Lift up your heads, O gates!  And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah  (Psalm 24 ESV)

Yahweh is the great God and King who established the whole earth and yet there is a holy hill where His presence is especially attendant, the hill of Jerusalem where His temple resides.  He symbolically enters the temple (perhaps as the ark of the covenant is brought into the temple) as sovereign and king who must be recognized.  This speaks to the attitude and welcome of those who ascend this hill.  They must have pure motives and lives, worshiping only Him and dealing righteously with all His subjects.  They will receive His blessing when they seek Him.

God dwells in His church now but the implication of that is the same.  We must continue to acknowledge His greatness and live correspondingly.  No other loyalty must be allowed to take His place, not spiritual, political, or relational.