“All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they shall hear the words of thy mouth.”
— Psalm 138:4
“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.” — Revelation 21:24
A few months ago I purposed to memorize Psalm 138 in my devotions and verse four kept standing out to me for reasons I could not put my finger on. I find when this happens there is a lesson the Spirit is prompting me towards and it is worth the time in prayer and study to reap the blessing later on. Who are these kings of the earth? I see two strains throughout scripture:
1. There are the kings of the earth who ruled foreign nations during Old Covenant times and who witnessed the miracles and blessings of Jehovah upon his people and were forced to admit that the God of the Israelites was real and all-powerful. For example, Pharoah of the Exodus[1], Nebuchadnezzar[2], King Cyrus[3], King Hiram[4], the Queen of Sheba[5], etc..
2. The royal priesthood[6], the kings and priests which are the elect of God and who have the inheritance of the saints.
The Adoration of the Magi — Albrecht Durer
Of the kings of the earth that explicitly give praise to God in Scripture, the Queen of Sheba is the only one whom Jesus confirms will stand in the judgment[7], because she heard the wisdom of Solomon.[8] Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing, and hearing by the word of God.[9]
We know from the plain words of Exodus and Romans 9 that Pharoah’s heart was hardened to the utmost. The other monarchs fall somewhere in between the extremes of Pharoah and Sheba, and we have no strong evidence that any of them were truly converted. Indeed, scripture everywhere indicates that witnessing miracles never converts a sinner, only hearing the word preached and trembling at it[10] works true repentance. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.[11]
Even today, with the gospel having gone forth over every continent we have a grand history from the first century AD up to now of kings, monarchs, presidents and prime ministers at least paying lip service to Jesus Christ. The Popes of Rome, however corrupt their false religion, at least pretend to reverence Christ as the source and authority of their dominion. We do well to remember that much of Bible prophecy has been fulfilled (“preterism”), and is being fulfilled even now (“historicism”).
However there is another dimension to these psalms that speaks of all the kings of the earth and all lands praising the Lord that I can’t ignore — the ecclesia triumphans, the church victorious!
My kingdom is not of this world[12]said the Lord Jesus to Pilate. At least, not yet. Now is my kingdom not from hence. But after Christ’s ascension we are told that he has been crowned with glory and dominion over all the earth, reigning over the nations with a rod of iron[13]. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth...[14]
Jesus Christ is the true Elect of God.[15] Everything that his sinless life and sacrificial death earned for Him he graciously shares with His people as their covenant head. That is why it says in Revelation 1:5 that Christ who is the faithful witness, and first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God.[16]Peter likewise calls the elect, “a royal priesthood.” This is the purpose of all scripture — revealing God’s nature and identity as well as His plan for the redemption of His people.
King David in Prayer —Pieter de Grebber
We have a types and shadows and partial fulfillments throughout history but there is an end game always in view. By the time we get to Revelation 21:24 whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.[17]Revelation 21 begins with a vision of a new heaven and new earth. These kings of the earth in verse 24 then can only be the elect. Those kings of the earth that committed fornication with the harlot in chapters 17 and 18[18] have been overthrown. The lake of fire is called the second death. It is final and eternal judgement. Therefore these new kings of the earth can only be people redeemed by the blood of Christ!
It would be natural to assume that the kings of this new earth are the apostles and prophets, or martyrs of the faith. That may be the case. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him[19]. But Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter 20 suggest as John Calvin eloquently argued, that our rewards in heaven will be reckoned by His grace, not “our” supposed merit. In the parable of the day laborers Jesus ends by saying, Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?[20]And shortly afterwards he says to the disciples, To sit on my right hand, and on my left is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father[21]. Likewise the apostle Paul assured young Timothy that a crown, which is a symbol of power and authority, is laid up not just for him, or for elders in the church, or for the super-saints, but unto all them also that love his appearing.[22]
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” — Revelation 3:21
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” — 1st John 5:4-5
God does not, cannot, and will never owe any of us anything. But in His grace He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.[23]
Thus indeed it must be that "all the kings of the earth (yes all, every last one of them) shall praise the O, LORD, when they shall hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
Praise ye the Lord[24]. Amen.
Scriptures:
[1] Ex 7:3
[2] Dan 4:1-3
[3] Ez 1:2
[4] 1st Kings 5:7
[5] 1st Kings 10:6-10
[6] 1st Peter 2:9, Rev 1:6
[7] Ps 1:5
[8] Matt 12:42/Luke 11:31
[9] Rom 10:17
[10] Is 66:2
[11] Prov 20:12
[12] John 18:36
[13] Ps 2:9
[14] Mat 28:18
[15] Is 42:1
[16] Rev 1:5-6
[17] Rev 20:15
[18] Rev 17:18, 18:3
[19] 2nd Tim 2:12
[20] Mat 20:15
[21] Mat 20:23
[22] 2nd Tim 4:8
[23] Ps 113:7-8
[24] Ps 150:6
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