What does Psalm 24:7 mean?
ESV: Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
NIV: Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
NASB: Lift up your heads, you gates, And be lifted up, you ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in!
CSB: Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in.
NLT: Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
KJV: Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
NKJV: Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
Verse Commentary:
David appeals to Jerusalem to make room for the King of glory to enter the city. Today, when a prominent dignitary like a royal person visits the nation's capital, a flurry of activity precedes his arrival. Traffic is cleared, flags are hoisted, and security is enhanced. Every precaution is taken to welcome the distinguished visitor. Jerusalem's gates were the site where official business was transacted. David's call to the gates was a poetic summons to the whole city of Jerusalem to welcome the King of glory.
Tradition suggests this psalm is connected to when David brought the ark of the covenant back from the home of Obed-edom (2 Samuel 6). The ark that represented God's presence was about to enter Jerusalem. When it had been seized by the Philistines, Eli's daughter-in-law bore a son and called him Ichabod, saying, "'The glory has departed from Israel!' because the ark of God had been captured" (1 Samuel 4:21). Now that the ark was about to enter Jerusalem, the glory of the King of heaven and earth was returning.
Verse Context:
Psalm 24:7–10 calls upon Jerusalem to welcome the Messiah. The original audience of the psalm likely heard these words while being encouraged to welcome the ark's return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). Matthew 21:1–11 offers a preview of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem at His second coming (Revelation 19:11–16). At that time Jesus, the King of glory, will be king over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9).
Chapter Summary:
Tradition suggests this psalm celebrates the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. David declares God's role as Creator and Sovereign. He points out the need for worshippers of God to be sincere, truthful, and righteous. The psalm then calls out to the city of Jerusalem to welcome the "King of glory."
Chapter Context:
Psalm 24 follows logically after Psalms 22 and 23. Psalm 22 depicts the Good Shepherd's suffering on the cross. Psalm 23 depicts the depths of His care of his sheep. Psalm 24 depicts his return to rule as king. The cross is seen in Psalm 22. The shepherd's crook is seen in Psalm 23. The shepherd's crown is in view in Psalm 24. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, died for us (Psalm 22), cares for us (Psalm 23), and is coming for us (Psalm 24). Psalm 15 is a parallel to this passage.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
Accessed 11/8/2024 8:29:07 PM
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Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
