Three songs of David, Psalms 22-23-24 form a trilogy. They describe our Good Shepherd (Christ Jesus our Savior) laying down His life for His sheep, our Great Shepherd (Christ Jesus our Shepherd) providing everything His sheep need in this life, and our Chief Shepherd (Christ Jesus our King) who will return in glory to gather His own to Himself where they will live with Him forever!
Psalm 24 is the song of the King of Glory! It begins with the declaration that “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord; for He laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.” [vs 1 HCSB]
It goes on to describe those who belong to God, those “who may stand in His Holy Place.” [vs2-6 HCSB]
As glorious as that beginning and middle are … nothing compares to the end of this song as it goes on to declare the return of the Chief Shepherd, our King of Glory.
Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors!
Then the King of glory will come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors!
Then the King of glory will come in.
Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord of Hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah [v7-10 HCSB]
One of these days, the world and everyone from past to present will lift up their heads and see as the Lord, strong and mighty will come. And then the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our God and Savior!
Hallelujah!