John Calvin Commentary Psalms 24:8

"Who is the King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle." — Psalms 24:8 (ASV)

Who is this King of glory? etc. The praises by which God's power is magnified here are intended to tell the Jews that he did not sit idle in his temple, but took up his abode in it, in order to show himself ready to help his people.

It is to be observed that there is great weight both in the question and in the repetition of the same sentence. The prophet assumes the persona of one who wonders, in order to express with greater effect that God comes armed with invincible power to maintain and save his people, and to keep the faithful safe under his shadow.

We have already said that when God is spoken of as dwelling in the temple, it is not to be understood as if his infinite and incomprehensible essence were enclosed or confined within it; rather, he was present there by his power and grace, as is implied in the promise which he made to Moses:

In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee (Exodus 20:24).

That this was no vain and empty promise, but that God truly dwelt in the midst of the people, was experienced by the faithful who did not seek him superstitiously, as if he were fixed to the temple, but instead used the temple and the service performed in it for elevating their hearts to heaven.

The substance of what is stated is that whenever the people called upon God in the temple, it would become clearly evident from the resulting effect that the ark of the covenant was not a vain and illusory symbol of God's presence, because he would always stretch out his omnipotent arm for the defense and protection of his people.

The repetition teaches us that true believers cannot be too constant and diligent in meditating on this subject. The Son of God, clothed with our flesh, has now shown himself to be King of glory and Lord of hosts; and he has entered his temple not only by shadows and figures, but really and in fact, so that he may dwell in the midst of us.

Therefore, there is nothing to hinder us from boasting that we shall be invincible by his power. Mount Zion, it is true, is not today the place appointed for the sanctuary, and the ark of the covenant is no longer the image or representation of God dwelling between the cherubim. However, since we share this privilege with the fathers—that by the preaching of the word and the sacraments, we may be united to God—it is fitting for us to use these helps with reverence. For if we despise them through detestable pride, God must eventually withdraw himself completely from us.