(Psalm 24:10) If God is “the King of glory,” how can this align with ancient near-eastern polytheistic cultures that recognized multiple gods or regional deities?

Background of Psalm 24:10

Psalm 24:10 in the Berean Standard Bible reads: “Who is He, this King of Glory? The LORD of Hosts—He is the King of Glory. Selah.” This verse exalts God’s identity, underscoring His unmatched authority and honor. It expresses a singular assertion: there is one Supreme Deity (the LORD of Hosts) who reigns over all things. Understanding this claim in light of the ancient Near East (where polytheistic beliefs were common) clarifies why Scripture consistently attributes the ultimate title of “King of glory” to this one God, rather than recognizing or competing with any pantheon of gods.

Ancient Near Eastern Setting

The geographical and historical context of the Old Testament involved many cultures with varied beliefs about divine beings. For instance, cultures such as the Canaanites and Babylonians extolled deities like Baal or Marduk, and the Egyptians revered numerous gods with localized domains (e.g., Ra as sun god, Hapi as river god). Archaeological findings—such as the Ugaritic texts from Ras Shamra (dated to around the second millennium BC)—reveal how these peoples often viewed nature’s phenomena (thunder, fertility, storms) as separate gods.

Nevertheless, against this backdrop of polytheism, the Israelite Scriptures emphasize one sovereign God. The psalmist’s declaration that the God of Israel is “the King of glory” directly challenges competing worldviews that fragmented divine power among various lesser or regional gods.

Meaning of “King of Glory”

1. Sovereign Over All Realms: Unlike local deities thought to govern only singular aspects of life or limited regions, “the King of glory” reigns over every aspect of creation. He is not confined to boundaries or to isolated domains such as weather, fertility, or warfare. Psalm 24:1 affirms, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein,” highlighting His universal dominion.

2. Authority Over All Spiritual Powers: While some ancient cultures assumed a cosmic struggle among many gods, Scripture reveals the LORD of Hosts—meaning the God of heavenly armies—has no equal. He is acknowledged as the matchless, transcendent Ruler of all that exists, including spiritual entities. His reign extends beyond Israel and into every nation, time, and space.

3. Unique Name and Character: The consistent emphasis on Yahweh’s holiness and moral perfection also contrasts sharply with mythological portrayals of capricious or morally flawed gods. The title “King of glory” conveys unmatched purity and majesty, sustaining the theme throughout Scripture that this God is entirely set apart (Isaiah 6:3) and sovereign in His righteous rule.

Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

1. Ugaritic Parallels and Contrasts: Tablets discovered in modern-day Syria (Ras Shamra) reveal the worship of the storm god Baal. Although some commentators have drawn connections between biblical language and Canaanite phrases, the overarching tone of the Bible dismisses Canaanite gods as powerless before the true Creator (Psalm 115:4–8). The strong contrast underscores that Israel’s God is alone in His position as Creator and Sustainer, never just a rival among equals.

2. Egyptian Records and Biblical Events: Ancient Egyptian records (though describing events with a polytheistic lens) provide incidental confirmation of dramatic historical happenings—like the devastation of plague-like events—mirroring biblical narratives (e.g., Exodus 7–12). Such parallels support the Bible’s portrayal of Yahweh as greater than any of the gods worshiped in Egypt (cf. Exodus 12:12).

3. Consistent Monotheistic Tradition: The earliest Hebrew writings and archaeological inscriptions (such as the Moabite Stone, ninth century BC) demonstrate that Israel’s national identity revolved around the worship of one God. Deuteronomy 6:4 unambiguously proclaims, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One!”—an assertion that withstands ancient Near Eastern polytheistic influences.

Comparison with Polytheistic Cultures

1. Competing Claims of Divine Kingship: In the polytheistic environment, titles like “king,” “god of gods,” or “lord of lords” could be ascribed to various deities. However, Israel’s sacred texts countered these claims by demonstrating God’s unrivaled supremacy in history (e.g., the Exodus, conquests of Canaan, and repeated deliverances recorded in Judges and Kings).

2. Local vs. Universal Deities: Ancient peoples often believed in gods specific to each location. The biblical narratives, however, record God’s sovereignty beyond Israel’s borders—from interactions with foreign kings (like Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar) to miraculous works in the natural world (e.g., controlling storms, parting seas, commanding animals). Such interventions showed God is universal—even where other nations presumed their gods reigned.

3. Public Demonstrations of Power: Scripture recounts instances where God’s distinction was made clear to polytheistic cultures. Elijah’s confrontation on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20–40) ended with divine fire miraculously consuming Elijah’s sacrifice, while Baal’s prophets stood helpless. These recorded events illustrate that there is only one true “King of glory,” unthwarted by regional deities.

Biblical Monotheism as Self-Consistent Revelation

1. Prophetic Witness: The prophets emphasized there is one true God, and all else is either mere idols or lesser spiritual entities. Isaiah 44:6 states, “I am the first and I am the last; there is no God but Me.” This monotheistic message is woven consistently throughout every strata of Old Testament writing.

2. New Testament Confirmation: The New Testament continues the same pattern. Jesus affirms the supremacy of the Father in multiple passages, and the apostles clarify their recognition that only the one true God can save (Acts 4:12). There is no suggestion of multiple legitimate deities at any point in Scripture.

3. Vocabulary of Glory and Honor: In Hebrew (כָּבוֹד, kavod) and Greek (δόξα, doxa), the Bible’s emphasis is on the substance and weight of God’s glory—His unique majesty. This theological vocabulary counters the fleeting glory ascribed to pagan gods, grounding “the King of glory” as the only one deserving full worship.

Harmony in the Biblical Narrative

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture declares that only One is Creator and Lord. Even while acknowledging that other nations believed in multiple gods, the Bible never deviates from its central monotheistic claim. Where ancient near-eastern culture might recognize many “kings,” the Scriptures reveal one “King of kings” (1 Timothy 6:15). This is not simply a matter of preference or culture; it is coordinated across the entire biblical text and supported by historical, archaeological, and textual evidence.

Answer to the Question

In ancient near-eastern polytheistic cultures, many localized deities were honored, yet the Bible identifies Yahweh alone as “the King of glory.” This title affirms absolute sovereignty, transcending any concept of territorial or lesser gods. Rather than presenting Yahweh as one option among many, Scripture consistently portrays Him as the only genuine God who made the heavens and the earth. Polytheistic beliefs serve as cultural backdrops that highlight the Bible’s insistence that there is but one eternal Creator, whose authority surpasses regional or mythical constraints.

The ancient setting merely magnifies the distinctness of the biblical claim: God is not a deity confined to one region or phenomenon but the universal Lord of Hosts. Though ancient cultures recognized many deities, the truth that “the King of glory” reigns over all creation remains unchanged. Archaeological discoveries that illuminate polytheistic worship confirm the setting in which Israelite faith stood out for its bold monotheism. The biblical text consistently demonstrates that any purported deity is subordinate or nonexistent when placed beside the LORD of Hosts, the sole source of all life, might, and glory.

Conclusion

Psalm 24:10’s proclamation that God is “the King of glory” stands in direct contrast to a polytheistic world that distributed divine authority among multiple gods. It is a unique, emphatic statement of monotheism in a time rife with polytheistic ideas. Antiquity’s archaeological and textual records illustrate the cultures and beliefs surrounding Israel, but they only underscore the biblical message: the God of Scripture alone sits on the throne of the universe, unchallenged and unshared. Indeed, “the LORD of Hosts—He is the King of Glory” (Psalm 24:10).