תהלים, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י׳

A declaration of God's absolute sovereignty marks a profound shift from a reality of struggle to an era of peace and eternal revelation. Throughout this passage, recurring questions and repetition are used to heighten the poetic experience [מאירי]. The inquiry into the identity of the glorious king carries a subtle hint toward the period of final redemption and the Third Temple. In that future era, the righteous will experience a revelation of the Divine Presence so tangible that they will point in wonder and joy at God, who had been hidden until then, asking in awe about His greatness [אלשיך, אבן עזרא].

Noticeably absent from this grand conclusion is any reference to God as a warrior. One approach connects this peaceful tone to the establishment of the Temple. Once the Ark of the Covenant was brought to its permanent resting place in the Holy of Holies, it was no longer carried out to the battlefield [רד״ק, מאירי]. Another perspective views this peacefulness as an allusion to the Messianic era. During that time, the world will finally be quiet, weapons will be transformed into agricultural tools, and war will become obsolete because God will fight on behalf of His followers [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מאירי].

In response to the awe-filled questions, God is identified as the master and ruler over all forces, governing both heavenly and earthly armies [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. Some commentators suggest this mastery refers specifically to the heavenly hosts, implying that the people of that future generation will elevate to a spiritual level akin to angels [אבן עזרא, רד״ק]. Conversely, others believe the reference points to the multitudes of Israel, who will ultimately gather to serve God together in the Temple [רד״ק]. Offering a different angle, [אלשיך] highlights a profound contrast between human rulers and the Divine. While an earthly king relies on a massive army and a large population to project power and glory, God requires no military force. He is the ultimate King of Glory entirely in His own right.

The culmination of this vision is marked by a declaration of absolute eternity. Unlike the First Temple, which was ultimately destroyed, God's future reign and glory will be permanent, continuing without interruption forever [מצודת דוד, מאירי, אלשיך].