By Les Henson,
This is the third and final reflection on Psalm 24.
Psalm 24: 7-10 NRSV
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah
These verses picture the army of the victorious and righteous King advancing upon Jerusalem with the King at their head. They are ascending towards the gates of the city to worship at the temple. As the worshippers arrived at the temple gates, they demanded admission for the King of glory. Then the question was asked: Who is the King of Glory? Who is the One to be honoured and worshipped, the One to whom the people should open the gates? The answer comes back: He is the Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle (v. 8). The One who as conquered the forces of their enemies. He is strong and mighty in battle (v.8), the Lord Almighty, and the Lord of all the hosts of heaven and earth (v. 10).
Five-times, God is referred to as the King of glory. God’s glory reveals His greatness, which points to His love, truth, goodness, power and wisdom. The opening verses of the Psalm speak of God’s glory in creation and of His capacity to sustain the earth. Because he is the Creator-King, then everything and everyone belongs to Him. Anything that does not belong to Him has the stamp of rebellion on it. The King has established an active force of those who are in harmony with Him, walking in the path of holiness, justice and righteousness. Together with them, He desires to bring everything under his rule and authority. He demands entrance. The gates must be opened for nothing, and no one can stand against Him. He will be worshipped.
The King is so glorious and powerful that we are called to open the doors and gates of every part of our lives to Him, that we might receive Him as Lord and worship Him all the days of our lives. Likewise, we should pray that each day, we reflect His glory in our lives and that His glory would fill all the earth (Ps. 57: 5 and 11). Finally, we should wait expectantly, longing for His coming in the New Jerusalem.