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THE KING OF GLORY SHALL COME IN

Psalm 24 (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     David attempted to bring the ark of the covenant into the city of Jerusalem on two occasions.  The second time, he was successful.

 

B.      There are many who believe that Psalm 24 was part of the glorious procession that entered into Jerusalem following the ark of God. 

1.       The psalm is said to have been written by David (see the title:  “A Psalm of David).

2.       Two times in the psalm we have these words:  “Lift up your head, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors” (vs. 7, 9), referring to the gates of the city of Jerusalem.

3.       But, look specifically at Psalm 24:3.  A question is asked:

 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  or who shall stand in his holy place.

 

a.       Jerusalem was a city built on seven hills.

b.      To bring the ark into the city, there would be an ascent into the city.

c.       David was asking:  “Who is worthy to make such an approach?”

 

C.     In the last 4 verses, we read the words, “the King of glory” five (5) times. 

1.       Thus, we have entitled the psalm:  “The King of Glory Shall Come In.”

2.       We know that on the day the ark entered into the Holy City, two kings were there:  God, the King of the Universe; and David, the king of Israel.

3.       Some believe another king is also being referenced:  Jesus, the King of kings.  The reason is because the words of the psalm are too exalted and too extravagant to refer to this one event alone.  Thus, some believe it is also a Messianic Psalm.

 

D.     The outline from last week.

 

i.                    THE PROPRIETOR (Ps. 24:1-2)

 

A.     The Owner (v.1)

 

The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

 

B.      The Organizer (v. 2)

 

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

 

ii.                  THE PRIVILEGED (Ps. 24:3-6)

 

A.     The Observation (v. 3)

 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  or who shall stand in his holy place?

 

B.      The Obligations (v. 4)

 

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

 

1.       Pristine Actions:  He hath clean hands

2.       Pure Heart:  …and a pure heart

3.       No Powerless Involvement:  …who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity

4.       Principled Tongue:  …nor sworn deceitfully.

 

I.                    THE PRIVILEGED (Ps. 24:3-6)

 

A.     The Oath (v. 5)

 

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

 

1.       God rewards those put forth the effort to be like Him.

2.       Those who fulfill the obligations of verse four will receive two rewards.

a.       Blessing

1)      The blessing the individual will receive is mentioned in the text.

2)      The individual will get to ascend into the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place.

b.      Righteousness

1)      Righteousness involves that state of being “right” with God.

2)      When we conform to the Lord’s will for our lives we are righteous in His sight.

a)      In Psalm 119:176, the inspired writer declares that “all thy commandments are righteousness.”

b)      Paul tells us that in the gospel of Christ, God’s plan to make man righteous is found (Rom. 1:17).

 

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, the just shall live by faith.

 

c)       In Romans 6:16, we learn that is it through obedience that this righteousness is obtained.

 

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

 

d)     In Romans 10:3, Paul tells us that the Jews had not submitted to God’s righteousness.  Instead, they were trying to establish their own righteousness.

 

For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

 

B.      The Offspring (v. 6)

 

This is the generation that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob.  Selah.

 

1.       There are some individuals who truly long to stand in the presence of the Lord.

2.       The psalmist tells us twice that they “seek” him.

a.       “…that seek him…”

1)      Strong (1875):  to follow, pursue, search

2)      BDB:  to resort to, to seek with care

b.      “…that seek thy face…”

1)      Strong (1245):  to search out, to strive after

2)      BDB:  to seek, to desire, to seek to find and secure

3.       These individuals realize that reaching God takes time and effort on their part. 

a.       They seek Him with care.

b.      They follow Him once they find Him.

c.       Once they find Him, they make themselves secure.

4.       Several verses came to mind regarding seeking the Lord.

a.       Matthew 6:33

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…

 

b.      Matthew 7:7

 

…seek, and ye shall find…

 

c.       Colossians 3:1

 

…seek those things which are above…

 

d.      Hebrews 11:7

 

…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

II.                 THE POTENTATE (Ps. 24:7-10)

 

A.     The Order #1 (vs. 7-8)

1.       The Prompt (v. 7)

 

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

 

a.       The ark has finally arrived at the gates of the city of Jerusalem.

b.      The gates are often kept closed so no enemy can invade the city.

c.       Thus, a prompt is issued forth by someone leading the procession that orders for the gates to be opened.

d.      The call ends with the words:  “…and the King of glory shall come in.”

1)      The words could have been applied to the entrance of David the King.

2)      The words could have been applied to the entrance of God as the King.

3)      Some believe that the words apply to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and His entrance into heaven at His ascension.

2.       The Porters (v. 8a)

 

Who is this king of glory?

 

a.       Those manning the gates had a very important task.

b.      They were not to let just anyone into the city.

c.       Thus, they call out:  “Who is this king of glory?”

3.       The Portrayal (v. 8b)

 

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

 

a.       The answer involved the power and the might of the King. 

1)      Power was one of the most respected aspects of kings in that day.

2)      Without the ability to win battles, all other qualities the king might possess did not mean very much.

3)      He could be quickly overcome by his enemies.

b.      All three kings that we have mentioned are strong and mighty with the ability to defeat their enemies.

1)      David was known as “a man of war.”

2)      The ark had been on the battlefield and had assisted Israel with the defeat of their enemies in the past.

3)      Jesus was the strongman who entered into the house of Satan and overthrew him by means of His death on Calvary.

 

B.      The Order #2 (vs. 9-10)

1.       The Prompt (v. 9)

 

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

 

a.       The call goes forth to the porters of the gates once again.

b.      As they approach even closer, the call to open the gates is sent forth.

2.       The Porters (v. 10a)

 

Who is this King of glory?

 

3.       The Portrayal (v. 10b)

 

…The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.  Selah.

 

a.       The words “hosts” refers to an army of soldiers.

b.      Lord of hosts recognizes this king as the commander of the hosts.

c.       In Scripture, when applied to deity, it refers to the angelic hosts.

d.      A King who was successful in commanding his army was most respected.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     On the day of His ascension to heaven, the gates of the Holy City were opened.

 

B.      The King of glory was allowed to enter in.

1.       He is strong and mighty.

2.       He is strong in battle.

3.       He is the Lord of hosts.

 

C.     He sat down on the right hand of the Father and was given a kingdom (Dan. 7:13-14).

 

I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him…

 

1.       You can be part of His kingdom and have Him as your King if you desire.

2.       You need to be delivered out of the power of darkness and translated into His kingdom (Col. 1:13).

3.       This is done by obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ.