¹⁶ The LORD is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land. ¹⁷ O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear (Psalm 10:16–17)

Kingship portrays majesty, highness—being far above the common people. We easily envision crowns, thrones, ornate robes and innumerable attendants. Kings are busy doing, well, kingly things—which are a far cry from the ordinary lives of the “hoi polloi” (a Greek phrase for the common people) or the “am ha’aretz” (a Hebrew phrase meaning the same, literally “people of the land”). The classic tale “The Prince and the Pauper” tells the story a boy raised in royalty wanting to know what life is like for “regular” people, apart from all the privilege and luxury. Some young people born into upper society circles use the slang name “Norm” as a derogatory reference to normal people—those of lower, more common social status. The rich associate with the rich, and even among the upper reaches there is a hierarchy based on status, wealth and prominence. We human beings tend to stratify our social relationships.

But not God! We could use the analogy of the prince becoming a pauper to depict Christ’s incarnation. We see many times in the Old Testament both the kingliness of God and His associating with the lower ranks of mankind. He did not keep Himself aloof. In our verse today, He is majestic and powerful and also listens to those of more humble condition. A king, in context of the ancient world, was the top dog, the mightiest warrior who rose to the most prominent of leadership roles. He led in battle, and he had proven himself greater than all other men. His majesty flowed from the accolades and glory attributed to his greatness. He clearly stood out among all men.

Our God is the greatest of all, above all gods. In human terms, He is king forever—He is able to destroy whole nations! Yet it is not beneath Him to hear and respond to the “desires of the humble…. [and] strengthen their heart…” In other words, we have a ready audience with God.

Psalm 84:3 portrays “[t]he swallow [who has] a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God” (Ps 84:3). So also God accepts our presence as much as the birds. Once, while I was riding in a taxi cab in Bangkok, Thailand, the driver kept referring to the leader of his country as “my king” with a sense of intimacy, like he knew the monarch personally. Likewise, we can refer to God, the Creator of the universe, as “my King,” for not only do we know Him, but He knows us personally.

Lord, You are my King. And I am thankful that You know me.