WHO IS THE KING OF GLORY?

We start today by looking, not now at the heavens, but at the world around us. David informs us that the earth, its fulness and its dwellers, all belong to God. However, in this vast earth, there was only one place where God had placed His name, Deut. 26. 2; then it was within Jerusalem where His ark was to rest, that is, mount Zion. In this psalm, David is very probably referring to “the inauguration of the newly captured fortress of Zion as the final resting-place of the ark, Jehovah’s earthly throne”; cf. 2 Sam. 5. 7; 6. 16.

Practical holiness is always necessary for those approaching God (see vv. 3, 4, and also Matt. 5. 8). As we saw yesterday, the Word of God rightly used can bring about the right condition of heart and life. Approach brings blessing from the Lord, v. 5. Seeking Him should have been Jacob’s (that is, the nation of Israel by the grace of God) occupation, v. 6 R.V.

The words of verse 7 tell us that either in a physical or a moral sense the gates and ancient doors of Zion were too low for the triumphal procession bringing in the ark. God, who dwelt between the cherubim upon the ark, 2 Kings 19. 15, unseen but for the display of His glory seen in the bright light often associated with the ark, was taking up royal residence. He is the King of glory, strong and mighty in battle; He is the Lord of hosts in command of all His earthly and heavenly armies.

The prophetic application of this psalm is the coming back of the Lord Jesus in glory to this earth. He was the rejected King at His first coming, but “he must reign”, 1 Cor. 15. 25, claiming His rightful place as Creator of all, Col. 1. 16.

This earth now awaits its King and those who are coming with Him, “For the earnest expectation of the creature (that is, creation) waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God … For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain together until now”, Rom. 8. 19, 22. At His coming, creation “shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God”, v. 21. In that day, the mighty King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, will liberate creation. He has reconciled all things by His death on the cross, and at His coming will bring into effect the great benefits of His work, Col. 1. 13.