My son is getting taller by the month. As a teenager, he hopes for some serious height…something like six foot four. He realizes he must duck through too many door frames if there are more inches. And that’s not handy. Right? His height is yet to be seen, but there IS something eye-catching about height and size. Whether it is an ancient towering Redwood tree, a skyscraper touching the city’s sky or an MBA basketball player strolling by, our attention is grabbed, and our eye is drawn upward.
In days past, cities had walls, and the walls had gates or large doorways that allowed traffic of various sizes in or kept the enemy out. Ancient temples had entrances and gates that reminded the people of the power and presence of the gods in their lives and ushered them into the demands of worship. The frames with their horizontal heads were often designed with symbols and messages of their gods. As worshippers in awe or fear passed through the often lofty door or gateway of their gods, the psalmist David asks a question in Psalm 24.
Who is this King of Glory?
As the nations around him worshipped on their created high places, placing their offerings with tentative or bold hope and walking in fear of the numerous empty gods that towered over their lives, David knew he worshipped the One God who owned the earth and everything in it. Psalm 24 is a song that recognizes the God who owns everything! He is the one who has established it and is worth seeking.
The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,
for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
Psalm 24:1,2
Notice how “earth” and “world” are paired, as are “the fullness” and “those who dwell therein.” A simple observation tells us that we who dwell in the earth and the whole world are “the fullness.” This word is melo, in Hebrew, meaning fullness, that which fills the entire contents. There is a sense of no exception and maybe even satisfaction or contentment. It is all His. And this fullness of earth and dwellers is not only HIs but is also established and fixed on His foundation. He controls the entirety of it. No other god compares to this.
To emphasize the greatness and greatness of the LORD, David speaks of temple doors and gates.
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. ….
The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory!
Psalm 24:7,8,10
Imagine! The gates and doors of temples, built to welcome and keep people in their dark worship, must make way for THE King! Close your eyes to see the intricately carved heads set atop the frame of the massive temple gate BLOWN OFF to make room for Him! SEE Him with glory and confidence, as a warrior, march through any temple gate. Know that as the earth and all it holds belong to Him, it is nothing for Him to walk through a doorway of the world’s system around us. The whole of creation can’t contain His greatness and glory.
Have we made Him too small? Do the dark temples of worship in our culture and world seem impressively big? He is our warrior King! Look at how He is described in the Psalm: strong, mighty, mighty in battle, LORD of hosts and King of glory! The word “mighty” is mentioned twice. It is the Hebrew word gibbor, meaning strong, mighty, bold, audacious, champion, chief, powerful, and, by implication, warrior! Our King is also named “LORD of Hosts.” This name makes it very clear Who is marching through enemy territory on our behalf! The LORD of Hosts is Yahweh (Jehovah) Sabaoth, from the word tsaba. This word is Hebrew for army, war, warfare, company, service, host, and appointed time. I have learned that every mark makes a difference in Hebrew, and tsaba is from the word tsaba’. Do you see the difference? It means wage war, serve, assemble, fight and can also mean a mass of persons or things, especially organized for war. Our King has an army at His disposal, ready for battle.
David asks, “Who is the King of glory?” The book of Revelation tells us who this King of glory, might, and power is. It is King Jesus.
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth…
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war….And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses….on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Revelation 1:4,5; 19:11,14,16
It is almost May 2024. As we entered this year, already 4 months ago, I chose Psalm 24 to meditate on throughout the weeks. The current events of our nation, and our present time as nations, need King Jesus. You and I need Him. The enemy would have us dwell on the impressiveness of our world and the oppression of the problems around us rather than remember that our King towers above it all. He might build walls of fear or addiction and use gates of financial burdens to hem us in, but…But our King can enter. The heads and gates must make way for Him. Praise Him!
Pray with me.
LORD Saboath, our King Jesus. We give all the glory to You. You are splendid in power and deserve all honour. You are our strong tower who makes the enemy of no effect in our lives. You go before us in battle, and we want to follow you. Thank you for fighting for us and equipping us for battle with your Word of truth and your armour of light. All walls and gates that stand in your way must make way for your kingship, for Your rule and reign. All praise and worship goes to you in our lives. In the glorious name of Jesus! Amen, and amen.
Further Study
- Read Psalm 24. How does the first half of the psalm differ from the second half? Why are they in the same psalm? What “righteousness” are we given as followers of King Jesus?
- Read 1 John 5:5. Can this promise spur you to follow King Jesus?
- LORD of Hosts is referenced throughout the scriptures. Where else can you find it? Start with Isaiah 28:5,6 and pray the Spirit brings it to life in your spirit. What might He be saying to you?
NOTE: Ray VanderLaan, a Bible teacher from Michigan, USA, first planted the comparison between the gates of pagan temples and the size of God in my heart many years ago on one of his teaching visits to a local church.
