Description
This psalm is a prophecy of Jesus as the King of glory, mighty in battle, ascending Mount Zion to take his place as king over the whole world. Righteous believers are invited to ascend with him.
Commentary
This psalm prophesies the King of glory triumphantly ascending the mountain of the Lord, that is Mount Zion in Jerusalem, to take his rightful place as king over the whole earth. Those who are blameless and have pure motives (v4) are invited to ascend with him. The great question is, "Who is this majestic king?" (v8). The answer is that it is "The Lord who is strong and mighty! The Lord who is mighty in battle…the Lord of Heaven's armies!".
From a Christian perspective, this prophecy may be understood to have been fulfilled in Christ's first advent, but to also have a second fulfilment at his second coming. Justin Martyr (2nd Century Church Father) commented on verses 7 to 10 saying, "…but when our Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the rulers of heaven, under appointment of God, are commanded to open the gates of heaven, that he who is the King of glory may enter in, and having ascended, may sit on the right hand of the Father until he makes the enemies his footstool, as has been made manifest by another Psalm" (see The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume I, p.213, Ch. XXXVI). According to this interpretation, the mountain of the Lord (v3) is a reference to heavenly Mount Zion. Christ ascended there, mighty in battle, after his victory at the Cross (Colossians 2:15), leading captives (Psalm 68:18, Ephesians 4:8) and was seated at God's right hand (Psalm 110:1, Ephesians 1:20) where he is now "…far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come". (Ephesians 1:21 NET). Hebrew 12:22-23 (NET) says, "But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect."
At his second coming, Jesus will ascend earthly Mount Zion, mighty in battle after defeating Antichrist and his armies at the battle of Armageddon. The question of his identity will be a matter of surprise and amazement to many, especially to Jews, who until then will not have recognised that Jesus is their long-awaited Messiah.
From a Christian perspective, this prophecy may be understood to have been fulfilled in Christ's first advent, but to also have a second fulfilment at his second coming. Justin Martyr (2nd Century Church Father) commented on verses 7 to 10 saying, "…but when our Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the rulers of heaven, under appointment of God, are commanded to open the gates of heaven, that he who is the King of glory may enter in, and having ascended, may sit on the right hand of the Father until he makes the enemies his footstool, as has been made manifest by another Psalm" (see The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume I, p.213, Ch. XXXVI). According to this interpretation, the mountain of the Lord (v3) is a reference to heavenly Mount Zion. Christ ascended there, mighty in battle, after his victory at the Cross (Colossians 2:15), leading captives (Psalm 68:18, Ephesians 4:8) and was seated at God's right hand (Psalm 110:1, Ephesians 1:20) where he is now "…far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come". (Ephesians 1:21 NET). Hebrew 12:22-23 (NET) says, "But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect."
At his second coming, Jesus will ascend earthly Mount Zion, mighty in battle after defeating Antichrist and his armies at the battle of Armageddon. The question of his identity will be a matter of surprise and amazement to many, especially to Jews, who until then will not have recognised that Jesus is their long-awaited Messiah.
Tags
Places: Mount Zion
Symbols:
Tags: End-time triumphal entry, Jesus proclaimed as king, Jesus as the King of glory, Jesus as king of the whole world
Symbols:
Tags: End-time triumphal entry, Jesus proclaimed as king, Jesus as the King of glory, Jesus as king of the whole world
1 A psalm of David. The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it.
2 For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents.
3 Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?
4 The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them.
5 Such godly people are rewarded by the Lord, and vindicated by the God who delivers them.
6 Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor, Jacob’s descendants, who pray to him. (Selah)
7 Look up, you gates! Rise up, you eternal doors! Then the majestic king will enter!
8 Who is this majestic king? The Lord who is strong and mighty! The Lord who is mighty in battle!
9 Look up, you gates! Rise up, you eternal doors! Then the majestic king will enter!
10 Who is this majestic king? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies! He is the majestic king! (Selah)
2 For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents.
3 Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?
4 The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them.
5 Such godly people are rewarded by the Lord, and vindicated by the God who delivers them.
6 Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor, Jacob’s descendants, who pray to him. (Selah)
7 Look up, you gates! Rise up, you eternal doors! Then the majestic king will enter!
8 Who is this majestic king? The Lord who is strong and mighty! The Lord who is mighty in battle!
9 Look up, you gates! Rise up, you eternal doors! Then the majestic king will enter!
10 Who is this majestic king? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies! He is the majestic king! (Selah)
(NET)
