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One of the realities that inhibits our understanding of biblical language is the fact that we really don't have much to do with kings these days. Certainly, there is the celebrity-based fascination with the late Princess Diana, and the fevered click of the cameras around Britain's royal family, but truthfully, kings and queens don't have much to do with us today. They especially don't touch us as sources of power in our world.

Power comes from dictators, prime ministers, and presidents. It doesn't much flow from a king anymore. So to say "The Lord is king," evokes a yawn from most contemporary listeners. But, if the language of power were updated and we were to claim, "The Lord is our president!" it's guaranteed that more than a few people might turn to listen. As it turns out, there's someone living on Pennsylvania Avenue who is quite convinced that he is the president. If we claim that the Lord is president, then we have a bit of a conflict.

Jesus understood this clearly when he said, "[You] can't have two masters, for you will love the one and hate the other" (Matthew 6:24). This psalm also has a clear understanding about this. The tone is oppositional. The Lord is king, not that guy sitting on the throne in Jerusalem ... or wherever. The Lord is president, not the one sitting in the oval office, but the Lord God who created us all.

Now we're saying something. In a world of competing interests and loyalties we are being clear. When push comes to shove, we stand with God and no other. When the laws of God and the laws of human beings are in conflict with one another we will follow the laws of God, no matter what the cost. God is our king! God alone is holy!

This psalm, it turns out, is a sort of political manifesto. This God is not only president. This God loves justice and will establish it as [he] brings equity to all people! This is the God we choose to follow in baptism. This is the God we claim as we embrace the Son, Jesus Christ. This God is our president, and no other.

Now before the critiques start flying, it's important to note that this is no call for some theistic anarchy. There is a place for worldly leaders. We need hospitals, schools, and roads. We need good government to make sure that all the people have enough to eat and that true justice lives in the land. However, as we assert this need for reasonable human leadership, let us be clear. Our final allegiance is to God and God alone. "Extol the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy."