Psalm 118 19

Psalm 118:19 kjv

Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:

Psalm 118:19 nkjv

Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the LORD.

Psalm 118:19 niv

Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

Psalm 118:19 esv

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.

Psalm 118:19 nlt

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the LORD.

Psalm 118 verses

Psalm 118 19 Meaning

Psalm 118:19 expresses a fervent plea for admission into the sacred confines, specifically "the gates of righteousness," understood as the entry points to God's holy dwelling or presence, most likely the Jerusalem Temple. The psalmist's primary motivation for this entry is to render heartfelt thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, celebrating His deliverance and acknowledging His faithful acts of salvation. It signifies a transition from a state of distress to joyous worship enabled by divine favor.

Psalm 118 19 Context

Psalm 118 is a vibrant Hallel Psalm, sung at major Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot. It marks a triumphant climax within this collection of praise, likely reflecting a corporate or individual liturgy of thanksgiving after experiencing powerful divine deliverance. Preceding verses vividly describe the psalmist's great distress and the Lord's mighty intervention against formidable adversaries. Verse 19 represents the pivot point, where the saved individual, or the triumphant Israel, arrives at the gates of the Temple. This entry is not merely physical but symbolic, indicating their gratitude and renewed commitment to worship in God's holy presence after divine rescue. It echoes ancient Israelite processional hymns and thanksgiving rituals associated with entering the sanctuary in Jerusalem.

Psalm 118 19 Word analysis

• "Open" (פִתְחוּ - pit'chu): This is a plural imperative, literally "Open ye!" It signifies a direct command or earnest request. It may be addressed to literal gatekeepers of the Temple, or a poetic cry directed towards the divine for the way to be made clear, highlighting that access is not automatic but granted.

• "to me" (לִי - li): This personal pronoun emphasizes the individual's specific and direct plea. While Psalm 118 often has communal undertones, this highlights the personal relationship and yearning for direct communion with the Lord.

• "the gates" (שַׁעֲרֵי - sha'arei): The plural form of sha'ar, meaning "gate" or "portal." In the ancient Near East, city gates symbolized power, access, justice (judgment took place at gates), and security. Here, they specifically refer to the entrances of the Jerusalem Temple. Symbolically, these gates control access to God's sacred space and His presence.

• "of righteousness" (צֶדֶק - tzedek): A foundational Hebrew term embodying "justice," "moral rectitude," "integrity," and, profoundly, God's "covenant faithfulness." When applied to "gates," it suggests several layers of meaning: these are gates that embody righteousness (they are the right way), gates requiring righteousness (only the righteous pass), or gates leading to a righteous place (God's presence). Given the Psalm's theme of God's saving acts, it largely speaks of God's own righteous character enabling the entrance. It's His established way for approach.

• "that I may enter" (אָבֹא - a'vo): This phrase uses the imperfect tense to express purpose or desire: "so that I may come" or "in order that I may enter." It articulates the clear intention of the psalmist to physically and spiritually cross the threshold.

• "through them" (בָם - bam): The preposition "through" specifies the means of entry, affirming the direct passage via the aforementioned "gates of righteousness."

• "and give thanks" (אוֹדֶה - odeh): From the root yadah, this imperfect verb means "to praise," "to confess," "to give thanks." It denotes the joyful, public proclamation of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's benevolent acts, signifying the ultimate purpose for entering His presence. This connects to the Todah or thanksgiving offering.

• "to the Lord" (יָהּ - Yah): This is the poetic, shortened form of the divine covenant name Yahweh (YHWH). Its use lends an intimate and personal tone, emphasizing that the thanksgiving is directed to the specific God of Israel who hears prayers and grants salvation.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Open to me the gates of righteousness": This initial plea encapsulates the desire for divine enablement and authorized access to God's sacred dwelling. It underscores that spiritual access is not taken for granted but is a privilege granted through God's established, just means.
  • "that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord": This clause reveals the profound purpose behind the request for entry. The ultimate goal is active, heartfelt worship and public acknowledgment of God's saving power and goodness. Entry leads directly to a response of grateful praise.

Psalm 118 19 Bonus section

• Messianic Foreshadowing: While immediately pertaining to the Jerusalem Temple, this verse carries significant prophetic echoes. Psalm 118, particularly verses 22-23 ("The stone that the builders rejected..."), is widely recognized as messianic and applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. In this broader context, Christ becomes the ultimate "gate" or "door" (Jn 10:7) and the very embodiment of God's righteousness (Rom 3:21-22), through whom true believers gain access to God's presence, not by human merit, but by faith in His atoning work.
• Ethical Demand: Beyond literal Temple entry, "the gates of righteousness" imply an ethical and moral dimension for the individual. Those seeking to draw near to God are expected to align with His standards of tzedek, not as a means to earn entry, but as an outflow of a heart transformed by His grace. This includes living righteously and promoting justice in daily life.
• Corporate Dimension: As part of the Hallel, this verse was likely sung by pilgrims or priests in communal procession. The request for opening the gates might have been a liturgical exchange with those inside, emphasizing a shared experience of God's deliverance and collective thanksgiving.

Psalm 118 19 Commentary

Psalm 118:19 captures the fervent plea of a delivered worshiper to enter the sacred space of the Temple, symbolizing direct access to God's presence, specifically through the "gates of righteousness." This access is understood not as a right, but as a gracious divine provision rooted in God's character (tzedek). Having experienced God's powerful salvation from great distress, the psalmist desires to fulfill vows and pour out profound thanksgiving (yadah). The gates symbolize the legitimate, pure pathway to communion, emphasizing that approach to God is on His terms, which are inherently righteous. This verse marks the climax of a journey from tribulation to triumph, culminating in intimate and public worship, transforming received salvation into heartfelt praise.