Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
The verse is a triumphal call and response sung as the ark entered Jerusalem, proclaiming Israel's invisible King as strong and mighty in battle, with the question asked not from ignorance but to draw forth exalted praise that hearers never weary of repeating. It portrays the ascended Christ entering heaven and the city of God as the victorious King of glory, escorted by a praising heavenly host through the opened everlasting doors to take His place on the Father's throne. Strong and mighty in battle means He has conquered Satan the prince of darkness, death and the grave, thereby finishing the plan of salvation and ransoming humanity so He is worthy of deepest homage. This King is Jesus Christ the Son of God and Majesty of heaven, whose divine glory was veiled in stable birth, humble parentage, labor and suffering, yet was never lessened or lost even on the cross. As the conquering King He will return with angels to raise the righteous dead and open the gates of the city of God to them, and He leads His followers now through self-denial and service in His own rugged way to share His triumph.
Wording and Original Setting
The psalm belongs to a triumphal song sung as the ark entered Jerusalem. The ark was the sacred sign of Israel's invisible King, and the call-and-response identifies that King as strong and mighty and mighty in battle. The exchange presents Him as Israel's victorious King.
The question asking who the King of glory is comes from waiting sentinels to escorting angels, not from ignorance of His identity. It is asked to draw forth an answer of exalted praise, because those who ask desire to hear His praise declared. The challenge and its answer are repeated, since the hearers never weary of hearing His name exalted.
Ascension Triumph in Heaven
The verse depicts the ascended Christ entering heaven and the city of God as the victorious King of glory, escorted by a heavenly host with praise and song and welcomed through the opened everlasting doors amid rapturous music. The call to open the doors is given by the escorting angels as they draw near, and the question who the King of glory is comes from the waiting sentinels not from ignorance but to draw forth an answer of exalted praise. The escorting angels answer that He is strong and mighty, mighty in battle, the Lord of hosts, and the challenge and answer are repeated because the hearers never weary of hearing His name exalted, after which the portals open wide for the throng to enter.
At His ascension He leads the way with those set free from the grave at His resurrection as His trophies and firstfruits of the dead, leading captivity captive in triumph over the prince of darkness, death, and the grave. Among that multitude of captives raised with Him is Moses, with the raised ones as pledge of the resurrection of the righteous dead. By that entrance He is restored to the same exalted stature, majesty, and glory that was His before He came to earth to die for humanity.
The escorting angels proclaim His strength and victory to the waiting sentinels at the gates, and the heavenly gates open to receive Him as He takes His place on the Father's throne as triumphant Commander and glorified Redeemer. His entrance after victory is a triumphant arrival greeted by the sentinel angels, welcomed by attending angels as King after overcoming. The glory of that heavenly welcome was hidden from human sight, with the heavenly escort and the opening of heaven's gates veiled from the disciples' sight. The quiet visible ascent suited His meek life and left His followers able to remember and imitate His character.
Upon entering, He first asked the Father that those given to Him might be with Him and share His glory. He does not yet receive the full royal honor until His church is justified and accepted before the heavenly universe, identifying Himself with them and advocating the rights and titles He purchased with His blood. In the Father's presence He receives power and then returns to His disciples to share that power with them and impart it to them. He ascends to continue the work of atonement as humanity's Advocate and Intercessor with the Father, and His victory has wrought salvation for humanity.
Victory Won in Battle
To be powerful and victorious in conflict means to have triumphed as conqueror over Satan the prince of darkness, over death, and over the grave. The escorting angels proclaim this strength and victory as the ascended Christ enters heaven as the victorious King of glory and Lord of hosts. The question and answer at the gates of heaven celebrate that triumph as He enters the heavenly city and takes His place on the Father's throne.
By that victory He finished the plan of salvation and wrought salvation for humanity, ascending to continue the work of atonement as humanity's Advocate and Intercessor with the Father. He gave Himself as His people's ransom, and for that He is worthy of the deepest homage and all they can give. Restored to the same exalted stature, majesty and glory that was His before He came to earth to die for humanity, He ascends on high leading a multitude of captives, escorted by the heavenly host and received through the gates of the heavenly city amid angelic songs of triumph and rejoicing.
His lying in the tomb as the King of glory shows the same might, for the tomb was a prison-house holding Him until He would be set free. The angelic host watched His resting-place with intense interest and earnestly waited for the command to do their part in liberating Him, so His followers did not need to fear and His enemies could not obtain His body. The angel at His resurrection proclaimed Him by that title of King of glory and Majesty of heaven, and the Roman guards who saw the angels and the glorified Saviour heard that proclamation and carried it as their testimony that He had risen. His resurrection, with the raised captives as trophies and a pledge of the righteous dead's resurrection, displays Him as the conquering Prince who defeated death and the grave, and at His return He will come with the heavenly angels while His voice and the trumpet call the righteous dead to immortal life.
To win that battle He humbled Himself in love and amazing condescension to take fallen humanity and fallen nature and walk where Adam had walked, placing His feet in Adam's steps. There He faced in combat the strong foe who had overcome and triumphed over Adam. By overcoming Satan He opened the way for all who would believe on Him to be redeemed from the disgrace of Adam's failure and fall.
Humiliation and Majesty
The King of glory is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lord of hosts, the Majesty of heaven and the mighty Counselor who took humanity upon Himself and came to this world and died for sinners. He is the triumphant Christ who rose from the dead and ascended, welcomed by angels as King, accompanied by the captives raised with Him.
His divine majesty was veiled when He stooped low to take humanity, laying aside royal robe and crown to be born in humble and rude and forbidding surroundings, in a stable that concealed His majesty from human sight. He accepted poverty, humble parentage, labor at the carpenter's trade and the work of supporting His family, and came in human form to reveal God, work out a perfect character, and meet temptation and trial and face the fallen foe so He could help those who are tempted. Though angels had known Him in heavenly splendor they could still bow before Him in His humiliation without betraying allegiance to Jehovah, and His humiliation did not lessen His divine identity nor diminish His glory.
He shunned all outward display so that the majesty of outward form would not become an object of attraction, and His glory did not depend on riches or display, for He did not exalt Himself, build rich dwellings, or wear costly clothing. He purposed that no attraction of an earthly nature, no riches, worldly honor, or human greatness, should call men to His side, since these can never save a soul from death. Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him, and because the character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, men should accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God.
He came among people in the lowly form of humanity bringing salvation, healing the sick and ministering to those in need, and He was among His disciples as one who serves. That humble, meek, lowly, self-denying life is to be reflected in His institutions, whose character is shown through Christlike principles and good work rather than outward show or unnecessary spending. His royal greatness is shown alongside His humility in that serving life.
He remained the King of glory even while treated with contempt and mocked during His stainless trial, infinitely pure so that His enemies could not degrade Him. Even on the cross as He suffered crucifixion He was the King of glory, showing compassion to His persecutors and praying for their forgiveness, and that prayer embraces sinners throughout the world as part of His work as humanity's Advocate before the Father. Because this King tabernacled in humanity on this little world under the curse of sin, where He lived and suffered and died on the field Satan claims, the earth itself will not only be ransomed but exalted and honored above all other worlds in the universe when redemption is complete and all things are made new.
Second Coming and Kingdom
The opening of the heavenly gates for Christ's return with the holy ones points to the full establishment of His glorious kingdom, when He comes as King of kings and Lord of lords, Jehovah Immanuel will reign over all the earth, and God will dwell with His people. As the conquering King of glory He will appear with the heavenly angels and with voice and trumpet call the righteous dead to immortal life. He is the conquering Prince who defeated death and the grave, and His own resurrection, with the raised captives as trophies and a pledge of the righteous dead's resurrection, displays that victory.
At the resurrection of the faithful dead He opens before them the gates of the city of God so the nations who have kept the truth may enter into beauty and glory. Adam meets Him there with transports of joy, first bowing at His feet in adoration and then joining the redeemed host in swelling the song Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. He is thus worshiped as the slain Lamb worthy for regaining through repentance and faithful obedience what was lost by disobedience.
The everlasting gates open to Christ, who enters the Father's throne in triumph after overcoming, welcomed by attending angels, as the Lord strong and mighty in battle. Entrance and heaven's reward are given by grace to those who follow Him in simple faith and love, not to the self-exalted. Those who overcome as Jesus did will likewise be escorted in triumph into God's kingdom.
Following the King
The King of glory leads the way through hardship, self-denial, self-sacrifice, and humility to save humanity, treading a hard path on their account and encountering difficulty, disappointment, reproach, and affliction in His work of saving. He trod the rugged way of suffering before His followers, enduring scoffs and rejection unto crucifixion, and passing through trial in the wilderness and suffering in Gethsemane and Calvary to show the way. Because He has gone before them in that path they are not to refuse to follow where He has led, but may share His sufferings and look forward to sharing His glory, receiving through His trials and suffering the divine help they need to overcome.
He bore the cross and the crown of thorns and drank the bitter cup, giving His life to redeem souls through His blood. That suffering calls His followers not to live at ease but to serve and work for others as co-workers with Him.
He calls men and women to give Him wholehearted service. Those who are pledged as His followers will be presented before Him as King of glory when they bear the fruit of the true vine and seek a higher life and higher education, blessed and helped by God as workers and laborers together with Him as they follow on to know the Lord. His death is a great gift that must not be in vain, and to accept it is to obey the principles of God's Word, to live in simplicity free from seeking the world's flattery or compliments, and to labor together with God to save a world by raising up churches in new places.
He took humanity upon Himself and came to this world to show what those who serve Him may become. He is to be pressed close, even to His bleeding side, as the source of power, strength, and efficiency. Keeping close to His side opens the heart to the impress of the Holy Spirit, brings work into His lines, prevents drawing apart, and produces one mind and one judgment so that the blessing of God rests upon His people.
As the Lord mighty in battle He stands by His people as they face unseen spiritual foes, so they need not falter or fail. In the closing scenes of this earth's history, when they are on the very eve of the day of God and His judgments are in the land, He looks upon them to reconvert and sanctify them and make them fit to bear His message. He cleanses the vessel so the message will be received, and works in their midst with power and love and majesty and glory. He puts to shame the listlessness of those who have not come up to His help against the mighty, sweeps back the cloud of darkness and unbelief, and sends the Holy Spirit into hearts to break down every barrier.
The verse is a triumphal call and response sung as the ark entered Jerusalem, proclaiming Israel's invisible King as strong and mighty in battle, with the question asked not from ignorance but to draw forth exalted praise that hearers never weary of repeating.
It portrays the ascended Christ entering heaven and the city of God as the victorious King of glory, escorted by a praising heavenly host through the opened everlasting doors to take His place on the Father's throne.
Strong and mighty in battle means He has conquered Satan the prince of darkness, death and the grave, thereby finishing the plan of salvation and ransoming humanity so He is worthy of deepest homage.
This King is Jesus Christ the Son of God and Majesty of heaven, whose divine glory was veiled in stable birth, humble parentage, labor and suffering, yet was never lessened or lost even on the cross.
As the conquering King He will return with angels to raise the righteous dead and open the gates of the city of God to them, and He leads His followers now through self-denial and service in His own rugged way to share His triumph.
Wording and Original Setting
The psalm belongs to a triumphal song sung as the ark entered Jerusalem. The ark was the sacred sign of Israel's invisible King, and the call-and-response identifies that King as strong and mighty and mighty in battle. The exchange presents Him as Israel's victorious King.
The question asking who the King of glory is comes from waiting sentinels to escorting angels, not from ignorance of His identity. It is asked to draw forth an answer of exalted praise, because those who ask desire to hear His praise declared. The challenge and its answer are repeated, since the hearers never weary of hearing His name exalted.
Ascension Triumph in Heaven
The verse depicts the ascended Christ entering heaven and the city of God as the victorious King of glory, escorted by a heavenly host with praise and song and welcomed through the opened everlasting doors amid rapturous music. The call to open the doors is given by the escorting angels as they draw near, and the question who the King of glory is comes from the waiting sentinels not from ignorance but to draw forth an answer of exalted praise. The escorting angels answer that He is strong and mighty, mighty in battle, the Lord of hosts, and the challenge and answer are repeated because the hearers never weary of hearing His name exalted, after which the portals open wide for the throng to enter.
At His ascension He leads the way with those set free from the grave at His resurrection as His trophies and firstfruits of the dead, leading captivity captive in triumph over the prince of darkness, death, and the grave. Among that multitude of captives raised with Him is Moses, with the raised ones as pledge of the resurrection of the righteous dead. By that entrance He is restored to the same exalted stature, majesty, and glory that was His before He came to earth to die for humanity.
The escorting angels proclaim His strength and victory to the waiting sentinels at the gates, and the heavenly gates open to receive Him as He takes His place on the Father's throne as triumphant Commander and glorified Redeemer. His entrance after victory is a triumphant arrival greeted by the sentinel angels, welcomed by attending angels as King after overcoming. The glory of that heavenly welcome was hidden from human sight, with the heavenly escort and the opening of heaven's gates veiled from the disciples' sight. The quiet visible ascent suited His meek life and left His followers able to remember and imitate His character.
Upon entering, He first asked the Father that those given to Him might be with Him and share His glory. He does not yet receive the full royal honor until His church is justified and accepted before the heavenly universe, identifying Himself with them and advocating the rights and titles He purchased with His blood. In the Father's presence He receives power and then returns to His disciples to share that power with them and impart it to them. He ascends to continue the work of atonement as humanity's Advocate and Intercessor with the Father, and His victory has wrought salvation for humanity.
Victory Won in Battle
To be powerful and victorious in conflict means to have triumphed as conqueror over Satan the prince of darkness, over death, and over the grave. The escorting angels proclaim this strength and victory as the ascended Christ enters heaven as the victorious King of glory and Lord of hosts. The question and answer at the gates of heaven celebrate that triumph as He enters the heavenly city and takes His place on the Father's throne.
By that victory He finished the plan of salvation and wrought salvation for humanity, ascending to continue the work of atonement as humanity's Advocate and Intercessor with the Father. He gave Himself as His people's ransom, and for that He is worthy of the deepest homage and all they can give. Restored to the same exalted stature, majesty and glory that was His before He came to earth to die for humanity, He ascends on high leading a multitude of captives, escorted by the heavenly host and received through the gates of the heavenly city amid angelic songs of triumph and rejoicing.
His lying in the tomb as the King of glory shows the same might, for the tomb was a prison-house holding Him until He would be set free. The angelic host watched His resting-place with intense interest and earnestly waited for the command to do their part in liberating Him, so His followers did not need to fear and His enemies could not obtain His body. The angel at His resurrection proclaimed Him by that title of King of glory and Majesty of heaven, and the Roman guards who saw the angels and the glorified Saviour heard that proclamation and carried it as their testimony that He had risen. His resurrection, with the raised captives as trophies and a pledge of the righteous dead's resurrection, displays Him as the conquering Prince who defeated death and the grave, and at His return He will come with the heavenly angels while His voice and the trumpet call the righteous dead to immortal life.
To win that battle He humbled Himself in love and amazing condescension to take fallen humanity and fallen nature and walk where Adam had walked, placing His feet in Adam's steps. There He faced in combat the strong foe who had overcome and triumphed over Adam. By overcoming Satan He opened the way for all who would believe on Him to be redeemed from the disgrace of Adam's failure and fall.
Humiliation and Majesty
The King of glory is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lord of hosts, the Majesty of heaven and the mighty Counselor who took humanity upon Himself and came to this world and died for sinners. He is the triumphant Christ who rose from the dead and ascended, welcomed by angels as King, accompanied by the captives raised with Him.
His divine majesty was veiled when He stooped low to take humanity, laying aside royal robe and crown to be born in humble and rude and forbidding surroundings, in a stable that concealed His majesty from human sight. He accepted poverty, humble parentage, labor at the carpenter's trade and the work of supporting His family, and came in human form to reveal God, work out a perfect character, and meet temptation and trial and face the fallen foe so He could help those who are tempted. Though angels had known Him in heavenly splendor they could still bow before Him in His humiliation without betraying allegiance to Jehovah, and His humiliation did not lessen His divine identity nor diminish His glory.
He shunned all outward display so that the majesty of outward form would not become an object of attraction, and His glory did not depend on riches or display, for He did not exalt Himself, build rich dwellings, or wear costly clothing. He purposed that no attraction of an earthly nature, no riches, worldly honor, or human greatness, should call men to His side, since these can never save a soul from death. Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him, and because the character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, men should accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God.
He came among people in the lowly form of humanity bringing salvation, healing the sick and ministering to those in need, and He was among His disciples as one who serves. That humble, meek, lowly, self-denying life is to be reflected in His institutions, whose character is shown through Christlike principles and good work rather than outward show or unnecessary spending. His royal greatness is shown alongside His humility in that serving life.
He remained the King of glory even while treated with contempt and mocked during His stainless trial, infinitely pure so that His enemies could not degrade Him. Even on the cross as He suffered crucifixion He was the King of glory, showing compassion to His persecutors and praying for their forgiveness, and that prayer embraces sinners throughout the world as part of His work as humanity's Advocate before the Father. Because this King tabernacled in humanity on this little world under the curse of sin, where He lived and suffered and died on the field Satan claims, the earth itself will not only be ransomed but exalted and honored above all other worlds in the universe when redemption is complete and all things are made new.
Second Coming and Kingdom
The opening of the heavenly gates for Christ's return with the holy ones points to the full establishment of His glorious kingdom, when He comes as King of kings and Lord of lords, Jehovah Immanuel will reign over all the earth, and God will dwell with His people. As the conquering King of glory He will appear with the heavenly angels and with voice and trumpet call the righteous dead to immortal life. He is the conquering Prince who defeated death and the grave, and His own resurrection, with the raised captives as trophies and a pledge of the righteous dead's resurrection, displays that victory.
At the resurrection of the faithful dead He opens before them the gates of the city of God so the nations who have kept the truth may enter into beauty and glory. Adam meets Him there with transports of joy, first bowing at His feet in adoration and then joining the redeemed host in swelling the song Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. He is thus worshiped as the slain Lamb worthy for regaining through repentance and faithful obedience what was lost by disobedience.
The everlasting gates open to Christ, who enters the Father's throne in triumph after overcoming, welcomed by attending angels, as the Lord strong and mighty in battle. Entrance and heaven's reward are given by grace to those who follow Him in simple faith and love, not to the self-exalted. Those who overcome as Jesus did will likewise be escorted in triumph into God's kingdom.
Following the King
The King of glory leads the way through hardship, self-denial, self-sacrifice, and humility to save humanity, treading a hard path on their account and encountering difficulty, disappointment, reproach, and affliction in His work of saving. He trod the rugged way of suffering before His followers, enduring scoffs and rejection unto crucifixion, and passing through trial in the wilderness and suffering in Gethsemane and Calvary to show the way. Because He has gone before them in that path they are not to refuse to follow where He has led, but may share His sufferings and look forward to sharing His glory, receiving through His trials and suffering the divine help they need to overcome.
He bore the cross and the crown of thorns and drank the bitter cup, giving His life to redeem souls through His blood. That suffering calls His followers not to live at ease but to serve and work for others as co-workers with Him.
He calls men and women to give Him wholehearted service. Those who are pledged as His followers will be presented before Him as King of glory when they bear the fruit of the true vine and seek a higher life and higher education, blessed and helped by God as workers and laborers together with Him as they follow on to know the Lord. His death is a great gift that must not be in vain, and to accept it is to obey the principles of God's Word, to live in simplicity free from seeking the world's flattery or compliments, and to labor together with God to save a world by raising up churches in new places.
He took humanity upon Himself and came to this world to show what those who serve Him may become. He is to be pressed close, even to His bleeding side, as the source of power, strength, and efficiency. Keeping close to His side opens the heart to the impress of the Holy Spirit, brings work into His lines, prevents drawing apart, and produces one mind and one judgment so that the blessing of God rests upon His people.
As the Lord mighty in battle He stands by His people as they face unseen spiritual foes, so they need not falter or fail. In the closing scenes of this earth's history, when they are on the very eve of the day of God and His judgments are in the land, He looks upon them to reconvert and sanctify them and make them fit to bear His message. He cleanses the vessel so the message will be received, and works in their midst with power and love and majesty and glory. He puts to shame the listlessness of those who have not come up to His help against the mighty, sweeps back the cloud of darkness and unbelief, and sends the Holy Spirit into hearts to break down every barrier.