Who is this King of Glory?
Psalm 24
Good morning.
In Medieval times, a King had total dominion, and giving an order to kill a subject was completely at a king’s discretion.
Paying homage to a king involves a subject, publicly declaring their total allegiance to a monarch, and the king had the power and the right to do whatever he pleased with his subjects.
As a citizen under a king, a subject was to have reverence and serve the king, while the king in turn, was to protect and provide for the needs of the citizens in his kingdom.
In 1995 the movie, “First Knight” came out. The storyline was that Lancelot, (Richard Gere) falls in love with Guinevere, who is due to be married to King Arthur (Sean Connery).
At that time a warlord tried to seize power from King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and the warlord tried to kidnap Lady Guinevere. But by chance, Lancelot was there to save her.
Lancelot fell in love with Lady Guinevere at first sight and although she was attracted to him, Guinevere would not allow herself to fall for another because she was to be wed to Arthur.
After the battle, King Arthur becomes indebted to Lancelot for saving Guinevere, and she ends up falling in love with Lancelot.
After learning of their love for each other, the king charged Lancelot with treason. But then Arthur was shot with a crossbow and taken to the castle, where he died.
While on his deathbed, King Arthur named Lancelot as his successor to the kingdom and gave Guinevere to him as well.
Please open your Bibles to Psalm 24 as we continue in our current series surveying through that book.
Last week we studied Psalm 8 about how God’s glory is far above the Earth.
Majesty brings together both might and goodness, both strength and beauty. The Lord God is awesome beyond our understanding, and He alone is worthy to be praised.
The summary of Psalm 8 is King David reflecting on the Lord’s majesty displayed in the creation and when compared to His glory, man is insignificant.
Even with man’s insignificance, the Lord chose the man to rule the earth and have dominion over its creatures. Man was clothed with glory before the fall, and someday Jesus will restore man.
Jesus Christ left heaven and became a little lower than the angels by becoming a human while remaining God. Jesus is worthy of all praise, glory, honor, strength, and power.
Today, in Psalm 24, we will learn about the King of Glory, Who owns the universe because He created it and loves His subjects.
I. Everything belongs to the Lord.
Read Psalm 24:1-2
Most commentators say David wrote this Psalm during the time he brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem.
The Ark of the Covenant was a box made to go into the Temple and the lid of the box was known as the Mercy Seat. The box contained the two tablets with the Ten Commandments on them.
Also within the Ark was Aaron’s rod and some of the Manna from the Children of Israel’s time in the desert.
The Mercy Seat was considered God’s holy throne because the Lord spoke to Moses from between the winged cherubim in the Most Holy Place, where the Ark was placed.
The Children of Israel were instructed to sprinkle blood from the animal sacrifices on the Mercy Seat because it foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice for all sin, the shed blood of Christ.
In 1 Samuel, the Philistines had won a battle against Israel so, Israel decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant into their camp.
Initially, the Ark provided an advantage for the Israelites, but the Philistines ended up winning another battle and took the Ark.
The Philistines put the Ark in the house of their god Dagon, but the idol kept falling on its face before the ark.
The Philistines moved the Ark to various cities, and the people in the different towns got ill and started to develop tumors.
Eventually, the Philistines offered the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel, and all the people of Israel cried out to God as they acknowledged their sins before God.
Psalm 24 was later sung every Sunday, after the ascension of Christ, because the early Christians connected this Psalm to the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday.
Notice, “The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness”
Warren Wiersbe said, “Of all the heavenly bodies created by the Lord, the earth is the one He has chosen to be His own special sphere of activity.”
The Lord owns the Earth and everything in it, because He created it.
We know that with the fall of man through Adam, Adam forfeited the dominion of the Earth over to Satan.
Later, Paul calls Satan the god of this age but Satan can only do things the Lord allows because God has the ultimate ownership.
In fact, Paul quotes this verse in 1 Corinthians 10 two times.
Clarence Benson called the earth “the theater of the universe,” for on it the Lord demonstrated His love in what Dorothy Sayers called “the greatest drama ever staged.”
“He chose a planet, a people, and a land; and there He sent His Son to live, to minister, to die, and to be raised from the dead, that lost sinners might be saved.”
Re-read Psalm 24:2
Derek Kidner said “upon” can be translated as “above”.
This reminds us of the creation account in Genesis 1:1, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Skip to Genesis 1:9 Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so. NKJV
The Lord owns the Earth and everything in it, because He created it and built it upon (above) the seas.
II. Who is worthy to stand before the Holy God?
Read Psalm 24:3-6
Since the Lord is almighty and able to create the heavens and the Earth, David began to wonder who had access to this Holy God.
David’s real question is this: Who has the right to stand before a Holy, perfect, righteous, God?
Guzik said, “David asked the most important question and said, Personal happiness is important but it isn’t more important than being in a right relationship with our Creator and Provider.”
Then King David answered the rhetorical question in vs. 4.
Here, a person who has clean hands is a cultural reference.
In the Jewish culture, hand washing was an important ritual with several different meanings.
The people would wash their hands to prepare themselves for Holy duties such as prayer, studying the Bible, or a time of reflection.
The people would wash their hands to symbolize washing away impurities.
The people would wash their hands to symbolize that they were set apart from pagan people groups.
The people would wash their hands after a funeral.
Hand washing is a sanctifying act that distinguishes Jews from other people groups and demonstrates how God blesses them.
Washing your hands during a ritual demonstrated that a person had a clean heart.
When Pilate was trying to get the people to ask for Jesus to be released and the crowd shouted to crucify Jesus…
Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." NKJV
Pilate may have washed his hands physically, but he was still responsible for not stopping the crucifixion of Christ.
C. H. Spurgeon said, “But ‘clean hands’ would not suffice, unless they were connected with a pure heart. True religion is heart-work.” (Spurgeon)
Then notice, “Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol”.
How many of us have put anything in our lives before the Lord?
Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.
Exodus 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image — any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
Before all of you say, wait a minute Rich, I don’t have any carved images I worship, listen to this quote.
Martin Luther said, “You cannot break the other nine commandments without breaking this commandment first.”
Kyle Idleman said, “One of our problems in identifying the gods is that their identities not only lack the usual trappings of religion; they are also things that often aren’t even wrong.
The problem is that the instant something takes the place of God, the moment it becomes an end in itself rather than something to lay at God’s throne, it becomes an idol.”
“When someone or something replaces the Lord God in the position of glory in our lives, then that person or thing by definition has become our god.” (Kyle Idleman)
Then notice, “Nor sworn deceitfully”
Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. NKJV
Satan is known as the Father of Lies so a lying tongue should not come so naturally to one of God’s children.
We know that every person in existence has sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. This is why Jesus had to come and take the Cross because no person, is righteous enough.
The Old Covenant was based upon rule-keeping to have fellowship with God and keeping the Law perfectly could not be accomplished by anyone.
The New Covenant is a righteous walk and fellowship with God, given to a person by belief i.e., faith in Christ’s sacrifice.
Notice, “He shall receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation”.
Every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s standards so, how can we receive righteousness from God and salvation?
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NKJV
Christ’s reward is the gift of salvation, the righteousness of God.
David Guzik said, “Even with the important distinctions between the Old and New Covenants, it is a mistake to say that salvation was by works under the Old Covenant.
Blessing came by obedience but righteousness was always and is always from the God of his salvation.”
“The blessed and righteous ones do more than enter into covenant with God; they also pursue Him with a continual seeking.”
III. The King of Glory shall come.
Read Psalm 24:7-9
The word “Glory” in the Hebrew language is the word ka?ô? (kah boood) and it means honor, splendor, and dignity.
“Glory” in the Hebrew language can also mean weight, like saying someone’s status carries a lot of weight. In the New Testament, using the Greek language,
The word “Glory” (doxa) means, “A thing belonging to God. The kingly majesty that belongs to Him as supreme ruler, majesty in the sense of the absolute perfection of the deity.”
When we think about the Lord, we can say some of the same things about Him. The Lord has honor, splendor, and dignity. The Lord’s status carries a lot of weight.
The Apostle Paul used these same words while describing Jesus.
1 Corinthians 2:6 we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
1 Corinthians 2:8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. NKJV
Dr. Donald Battle said, “THE LORD OF GLORY is the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity (Godhead). Jesus is the Word / Logos revealed in the Gospel of John as Creator of the Universe.
The Lord Jesus Christ concealed His plan from the world powers, for the sake of the Gospel. His purpose for becoming flesh was to be the holy sacrifice, the Lamb of God.
Jesus appeared as the Angel of the Lord in Genesis 22.
“Jesus the Lord of Glory was the one who spoke to Moses from inside the burning bush. Jesus Christ is the GREAT “I AM” (JEHOVAH) speaking to Moses in Exodus 3 and chapter 33.”
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (JEHOVAH)” NKJV
The Lord Jesus Christ was always God and will forever, be God.
Notice, “Lift up your heads, O you gates”.
The Lord is welcomed in, by us opening our hearts to Him.
It is not that we can prevent the Lord from coming in, but that He is a gentleman and will not force Himself onto anyone.
When the King is at the gate His people will open the door.
Psalm 24 was fulfilled symbolically when the Ark of the Covenant came into Jerusalem. This also points to King Jesus.
• The King of Glory came in when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey.
• The King of Glory came in when Jesus ascended back to the Father in heaven after His resurrection.
• The King of Glory will come into an individual’s life who will accept the gift of salvation provided through the Cross.
Even though this verse is specifically speaking to Christians, listen to the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:20.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. NKJV
Derek Kidner said, “The expression mighty in battle is but a stronger form of God’s title of ‘warrior’ first heard in the song of victory at the Red Sea.”
IV. The LORD of Hosts.
Read Psalm 24:10
The King of Glory is also the LORD of Hosts, and this title of the Lord is used over 260 times. Hosts means armies.
LORD of Hosts is translated from Yahweh Sabaoth which means "Lord of armies" because the Hebrew word Sabaoth means Hosts or "armies". It also means LORD Almighty.
Matthew Poole said, “Under whose command are all the hosts of heaven and earth, angels and men, and all other creatures.”
The words “LORD of Hosts” reveal that the Lord God was the true Leader of Israel’s armies, despite the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel during the time of the judges.
David said these words to Goliath when he went to battle him.
1 Samuel 17:45 David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
1 Samuel 17:46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth,
1 Samuel 17:46b that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. NKJV
gotquestions.org said, “The sovereign LORD of hosts has the grace to always be there for the one who comes to Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“The King of Glory, who commands the armies of heaven and who will eventually defeat all His enemies in this world, is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the LORD of hosts.”
The LORD of Hosts refers to the Triune God Head's power, might, and rule over creation.
Ultimately, the LORD of Hosts refers to the Almighty God who fights on behalf of those who are His own. Unlike Lancelot, needing to protect Lady Guinevere, our King battles for us.
During the Exodus when Pharaoh and his armies were chasing the Children of Israel…Exodus 14:13 But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you.” NLT
V. Practical Application.
In Medieval times, a King had total dominion, and giving an order to kill a subject was completely at a king’s discretion.
Back to the story of the First Knight movie. After the battle, King Arthur becomes indebted to Lancelot for saving Guinevere, and she ends up falling in love with Lancelot.
After learning of their love for each other, the king charged Lancelot with treason.
Think about the grace of King Arthur, that while on his deathbed, he named Lancelot as his successor to the kingdom and gave Guinevere to him as well.
When we hear of such favor and Mercy from Arthur we are impressed but it is nothing compared to what our King offers.
Our King is actually our Creator as well, and we rebelled against Him in ways that make what Lancelot and Guinevere did seem tame in comparison.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. NKJV
Yes, we did inherit our sinful nature from our first parents, Adam and Eve in the Garden scene of Genesis 3. But ultimately, we are the children of sinners who produce children who sin.
Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. NKJV
Third Day has a song titled, “King of Glory”. Part of the lyrics read, “Who is this King of Glory that pursues me with His love and haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken words?
My conscience, a reminder of forgiveness that I need. Who is this King of Glory who offers it to me?
Who is this King of angels, O blessed Prince of Peace, revealing things of Heaven and all its mysteries?
My spirit's ever longing for His grace in which to stand. Who is this King of Glory, Son of God, and song of man.”
The all-powerful, creator God of the universe, could have demanded His creation to worship Him but instead, He died for our sins and revealed the riches of His Glory to us, in Christ.
As we consider our King of Glory and LORD of Hosts, Jesus Christ, let’s consider a few things to ponder this morning.
Do I trust my King to fulfill His part of the promise?
When I am struggling with life, do I immediately seek Jesus as my comfort and peace? Do I trust God’s protection and provision for my life?
Do I desire to spend time basking in the presence of My King in worship, study, and fellowship?
As a citizen under a king, a subject was to have reverence and serve the king, while the king, in turn, was to protect and provide for the needs of the citizens in his kingdom.
Jesus offers forgiveness, protection, and provision as our King.
Do we offer reverence and service to Jesus? Does Jesus have first place in my life and how am I serving my King today?
