We know that God is the creator of all things and that he is a ruler of the universe, but the Bible doesn't simply describe him as a ruler. Sometimes it tells us a little more about what kind of ruler he is. So what does it mean that he is the king of glory?
Where Does the Bible Call God King of Glory?
In Psalms 24:8, we see the Psalmist declare, “Who is the king of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory. Selah.” We also see many references in the Bible to the glory of God. God is definitely the king of glory because we, as humans, want to be like Him.
We continue to learn how magnificent God is in Psalms 29. We are encouraged to give Him the glory due to His name; we are to worship Him in the beauty of holiness (verse two). We hear about the God of glory thundering upon the waters (verse three). The voice of the Lord is powerful and full of majesty (verse four).
In verse five, In verse five, we see the voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars even the cedars of Lebanon. The Cedars of Lebanon were known to be some of the best and strongest trees during that time. We know our God is awesome and powerful if His voice breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
What Do We Learn about God in Psalm 24?
If God is the king of glory, the question is what does that mean? The rest of Psalm 24 gives us an idea what this title means, and its implications for us as God's subjects.
First, we learn that “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein” (verse one). By reading this verse, we know the earth belongs to God. We know that the world and universe belong to God, and we (the people who dwell on the earth) belong to God.
This Psalm also tells us how to get into God’s presence. We must have clean hands, a pure heart, a soul not lifted to vanity nor sworn deceitfully (verse four). These people will receive the blessing of the Lord and righteousness from the God of salvation (verse five). These people will enter the hill of the Lord and stand in a holy place (verse three). We are also a generation that seeks after the Lord.
We learn that the Lord is the lord of hosts as well as the king of glory from reading verse 10.
David wrote these Psalms, and we know he was an excellent praiser. He was a man after God’s own heart. We know that David was familiar with the presence of the Lord and cared for the Ark of the Covenant, which had the Lord’s presence wherever it went (Hebrews 9).
What Does the Bible Tell Us about God’s Glory?
Man desires to see God’s glory. In Exodus 33:18, Moses asked God to “show me thy glory.” Throughout scripture, we see references to the glory of God. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God (Hebrews 1:4). In Hebrews 1:3, we see that Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory and the expressed image of his person. After Jesus purged our sins, He sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 3:22).
God will not share His glory with another. Nor will He give His praise to graven images (Isaiah 42:8). We must be very particular about praising humanity or taking credit for something we know God did. God does everything for us. He uses different instruments, but it is God nonetheless.
Some people mentioned in scripture fell short because they sought humans’ praise and didn’t give God the glory for what He did. God’s glory left Saul after he did not follow God’s instructions to kill all the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15). When Saul disobeyed the Lord, God anointed David to be king.
Scripture says that God can fill the whole earth with His glory (Psalm 72:19). We also know His glory is like a rare jewel (Revelation 21:11). We see descriptions of God’s glory in Ezekiel 43. In verse two, the glory of God came from the east. His voice was like the noise of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. Ezekiel was taken up and saw the glory of the Lord fill the house.
Isaiah 6:1 speaks of God’s glory. He saw the Lord, sitting upon the throne, high and lifted up. His train filled the temple. Above God’s throne, he saw the seraphim crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory. We know the angels are witnesses to the glory of God regularly.
We know that mighty acts accompany God’s glory. Psalms 145:11 declares they shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power. Verse twelve continues, discussing how God will tell the sons of men his mighty acts and his kingdom’s glorious majesty. God is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works. That is why we put our trust in the Lord.
What Authority Does God Have as King of Glory?
King of Glory means that glory starts and ends with God. As humans, we should want to see the glory of God in our lives. Having God’s glory settles many things, and no one can take His glory from us. No one can make the glory of God appear in our lives but God.
As the King of glory, God performs undisputable acts of authority. In Exodus, He made Pharaoh let the children of Israel go. The glorious God we serve parted the Red Sea so that Israel would have safe passage from its captors. While traveling, God provided light for the children of Israel in darkness. (Exodus 14:19-20) God daily fed the children of Israel with manna (Exodus 16). God shows us His glory in many ways and when we most need it.
God’s glory can be healing when doctors have given up on us. His glory can be peace in a time of war. His glory and shelter and protection in times of storms. When God calls those whom He will to ministry, He shows His glory. Humanity does not validate God’s servants. God provides validation to whomever He will.
A Prayer to Praise the King of Glory
Heavenly Father, we just come to you today praising you for your awesome glory and power. The heavens declare your glory. You are God alone, and there is no one like you. There is no one before you, nor shall any come after you. We thank you for the glory that is due to your name. We thank you for your patience with humanity. We thank you for the love that was shown to us on Calvary by you sending your Son Jesus.
We thank you for loving us even when we miss the mark. Your Word declares that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. You are good all the time, and all the time, you are good. We pray that nothing will separate us from the love of God. We pray that men and women will see the goodness of God in the land of the living. We pray that you will show us with your mercy and that men and women will continue to spread the gospel so that others might be saved.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Yurii Kifor
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
No Rest for the Wicked
Fight the Good Fight
Wait on the Lord
With Contrite Heart and Spirit
Faith Can Move Mountains
