Psalm 24 8

Psalm 24:8 kjv

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:8 nkjv

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:8 niv

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:8 esv

Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!

Psalm 24:8 nlt

Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty;
the LORD, invincible in battle.

Psalm 24 8 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Ps 24:7Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.Call for the King of Glory's entry.
Ps 24:9-10Lift up your heads... King of glory... the LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.Repetition for emphasis of His identity.
Exod 15:3The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name.God's identity as a divine warrior.
Deut 10:17For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God...Describes God's ultimate power and majesty.
Job 9:4God is wise in heart and mighty in strength...God's omnipotence and wisdom.
Ps 29:3The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders...Association of "glory" with God's power.
Ps 45:3Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, in Your glory and Your majesty!Describes the King (Messiah) as a Mighty One.
Ps 78:65Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior aroused by wine.God's powerful intervention.
Ps 89:8O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O Yah, with Your faithfulness all around You?God's unique might and faithfulness.
Isa 6:1I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.God's glorious presence and kingship.
Isa 40:26Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things... because of the greatness of His might...God's strength evident in creation.
Isa 42:13The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war.God acting as a warrior for His people.
Jer 32:17Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm...God's creative and sustaining power.
Hab 3:8Were You displeased with the rivers, O LORD? Was Your anger against the rivers, or Your wrath against the sea, that You rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation?God's use of divine cavalry in battle.
Zech 9:9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!... behold, your King is coming to you... lowly and riding on a donkey.Messianic entry, King but not by might alone.
1 Cor 2:8...none of the rulers of this age knew... for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.Jesus identified as "Lord of glory."
Col 1:16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth... He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.Christ's pre-eminence and creative power.
Phil 2:9-11Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...Jesus' ultimate exaltation and universal Lordship.
Eph 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.Believers drawing strength from the Mighty God.
Heb 1:3...who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person...Jesus reflecting God's glory.
Rev 19:11-16Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True... in righteousness He judges and makes war... King of Kings and Lord of Lords.Christ's final victorious return as Warrior King.

Psalm 24 verses

Psalm 24 8 Meaning

Psalm 24:8 proclaims the majestic identity of the One deserving entry and reign. It asserts that the "King of glory" is none other than Yahweh (the LORD), distinguishing Him as supremely powerful and triumphantly victorious in every conflict. This verse directly answers the preceding rhetorical question (Ps 24:7), definitively identifying the sovereign ruler as God Himself, possessing immense strength and an unparalleled capacity to overcome all adversaries.

Psalm 24 8 Context

Psalm 24 is often understood as a liturgical psalm associated with the Ark of the Covenant entering Jerusalem, signifying the divine presence taking up residence in the newly established capital (2 Sam 6). It also points to the dedication of the Temple built by Solomon. The psalm begins by declaring God's universal sovereignty over creation (vv. 1-2). It then addresses who may ascend to God's holy place, emphasizing righteousness and purity (vv. 3-6). Verses 7-10 are a dramatic call for the ancient gates to lift their heads, ushering in the King of Glory. Verse 8, specifically, serves as the immediate answer to the question "Who is this King of glory?", leaving no doubt that it is Yahweh, described by His inherent attributes of strength and might, particularly as a victor in battle. This hymn, therefore, acts as an entry liturgy for the Divine Warrior-King into His dwelling, affirming His ultimate authority over all.

Psalm 24 8 Word analysis

  • "Who is this": The Hebrew mi zeh expresses inquiry and perhaps a degree of wonder or awe. It serves as a rhetorical question, designed to draw attention to the greatness of the subject, creating anticipation for the answer. The repetition of the question in Ps 24:7 and 24:9 builds a dramatic pause, enhancing the impact of the answer.
  • "King of glory": Hebrew Melech haKavod (מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד).
    • "King" (Melech): Denotes supreme authority, sovereign rule, and majesty.
    • "of glory" (haKavod): Refers to the visible manifestation of God's presence, His weightiness, honor, splendor, and inherent majesty. It signifies His absolute holiness and divine brilliance. The term implies that His kingship is characterized by, and inherent in, His glory. This is not merely an earthly king, but a King whose reign is accompanied by divine splendor.
  • "The LORD": Hebrew YHWH (יְהוָה), transliterated as Yahweh or Jehovah, is God's unique, covenantal, and self-revealed name. It signifies His self-existence, eternal being, and faithfulness. This term specifically distinguishes the true God from any false gods or idols, declaring His unique supremacy. The repetition emphasizes His exclusive identity.
  • "strong": Hebrew ʻizzūz (עִזּוּז). This word means extremely powerful, invincible, mighty, or fierce. It denotes an intense, unyielding strength that is absolute and overwhelming.
  • "and mighty": Hebrew gibbôr (גִּבּוֹר). This term refers to a powerful, valiant warrior, hero, champion, or mighty one. It implies effectiveness and success in combat, strength manifested through deeds. When combined with ʻizzūz, it depicts God as possessing both inherent power and the capacity to wield it effectively.
  • "the LORD mighty in battle": Hebrew YHWH gibbôr milchamah (יְהוָה גִּבּוֹר מִלְחָמָה). This phrase emphatically reinforces God's character as a divine warrior.
    • "mighty in battle" (gibbôr milchamah): Expands on gibbôr, explicitly stating that God's might is demonstrated in military conquest. This speaks to His victorious power over all opposing forces—be they national enemies, spiritual adversaries, or the very forces of chaos. He does not just possess strength, but uses it decisively to secure victory.

Psalm 24 8 Bonus section

This verse's dramatic interplay of question and answer highlights its probable liturgical use in ancient Israelite processions, possibly for bringing the Ark into Jerusalem or at Temple gates during festivals. The emphasis on "glory" (Kavod) connects to the shekinah glory—the tangible, visible presence of God that filled the tabernacle and temple. When YHWH is identified as "King of glory," it implies not just a ruler but one whose very presence manifests divine splendor and authority. Furthermore, the portrayal of God as "mighty in battle" is a consistent theme in Scripture, revealing His protective and vindicating character for His people against all adversaries, seen and unseen. This attribute finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament with Jesus Christ's decisive victory over sin and death, establishing Him as the ascended "Lord of Glory" (1 Cor 2:8) who will one day return as the ultimate "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" to conquer all remaining opposition (Rev 19:11-16). The "ancient doors" lifting themselves are not merely physical gates but symbolize any spiritual or earthly resistance to God's full and unhindered reign, which His victorious power will inevitably overcome.

Psalm 24 8 Commentary

Psalm 24:8 serves as the emphatic, definitive answer to the call for the King of Glory's entry. It is an act of identifying the glorious, powerful Sovereign who alone merits such an honor. The immediate repetition of "The LORD" affirms that the covenant God of Israel, YHWH, is this supreme King. The attributes "strong and mighty" delineate His unparalleled power—an intrinsic, unyielding strength (ʻizzūz) coupled with effective, valorous prowess (gibbôr). The climax, "the LORD mighty in battle," encapsulates His active, triumphant nature as a divine warrior. He is not merely powerful but uses His might to achieve victory in conflict. This speaks to historical triumphs (e.g., crossing the Red Sea), ongoing cosmic battles, and ultimately, Christ's victory over sin, death, and evil through His crucifixion and resurrection. As the resurrected and ascended Christ, Jesus fully embodies this title as the "Lord of glory," having conquered spiritual foes and secured eternal redemption. The verse reminds us that the God we serve is fully capable and victorious in all circumstances, deserving all honor and unrestricted access to the lives of His people.