Psalm 24 7

Psalm 24:7 kjv

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Psalm 24:7 nkjv

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.

Psalm 24:7 niv

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Psalm 24:7 esv

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Psalm 24:7 nlt

Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.

Psalm 24 verses

Psalm 24 7 Meaning

This verse is a grand declaration commanding ancient city gates and metaphorical, eternal doorways to open wide and lift high, preparing to receive the sovereign King of Glory. It heralds a triumphal procession, signifying the majestic entry of Yahweh, who is revealed as the supreme, all-conquering monarch worthy of ultimate honor and adoration.

Psalm 24 7 Context

Psalm 24 is broadly considered a liturgical Psalm, likely intended for ceremonial processions, possibly during the Ark of the Covenant's entry into Jerusalem (as recorded in 2 Sam 6 and 1 Chr 15), or for dedication ceremonies of the Temple. The Psalm divides into three main sections. Verses 1-2 establish God's universal sovereignty as the Creator of the earth. Verses 3-6 address the spiritual qualifications for those who wish to ascend God's holy hill or stand in His holy place, emphasizing moral and ritual purity. Verses 7-10, where our verse is situated, is a dramatic command for the city gates to open wide, preparing for the grand entrance of the "King of Glory," who is identified in subsequent verses as "the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle" and "the Lord of hosts." This imagery evokes a triumphant parade, proclaiming God's supreme authority and ensuring a powerful welcome for His majestic presence into His holy city.

Psalm 24 7 Word analysis

• Lift up (שְׂאוּ - se'u): This is an imperative command, demanding action. It implies not merely a physical raising, but a call to acknowledge, honor, and give way to something supremely important. It conveys an active, anticipatory opening.
• your heads (רָאשֵׁיכֶם - rasheychem): Personifies the gates, giving them agency. It's as if the gates themselves are instructed to recognize and consciously "bow" or lift in deference to the incoming Majesty. This indicates a deliberate act of submission and reverence.
• O you gates (שְׁעָרִים - she'arim): Refers to the robust, fortified entrance points of an ancient city. These gates were critical for defense, commerce, and legal proceedings, representing barriers, access points, and points of authority. Here, they are commanded to yield to a superior power.
• be lifted up (הִנָּשְׂאוּ - hinasse'u): A parallel imperative to "lift up," but in the passive voice (Niphal stem). This emphasizes that the gates are not just to act, but to be acted upon – they are to be raised high and wide, signaling a grand, unhindered reception. It underscores the immense power of the one for whom they open.
• you ancient doors (פִּתְחֵי עוֹלָם - pitchei olam): Literally "doors of eternity" or "everlasting gates." This phrase elevates the context beyond mere physical city gates. It can suggest portals that have stood since time immemorial, implying enduring authority or, more profoundly, a gateway to an eternal realm, representing a profound, timeless entrance to God's presence.
• that the King of glory (מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד - Melekh haKavod): The central figure of this triumphal entry.
  • King (Melekh): Denotes absolute sovereign ruler, the supreme authority.
  • glory (haKavod): From the Hebrew root kvd meaning 'heavy' or 'weighty,' it encapsulates divine majesty, splendor, visible manifestation of God's presence, honor, and renown. This is not a human king, but God Himself, radiating His inherent power, majesty, and unassailable authority.
• may come in (yavo): Signifies triumphant arrival and entry, the culmination of the processional drama. The opening of the gates facilitates the tangible manifestation of God's powerful, glorious presence.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors": This double imperative and synonymous parallelism create a powerful, emphatic command. The personification of the gates highlights a deliberate, honor-filled surrender to the incoming divine presence. The shift from "gates" to "ancient doors" elevates the image from the temporary and earthly to something timeless, eternal, and perhaps even heavenly, implying the eternal nature of the divine visitor. The sheer height implied by "lifted up" suggests an unobstructed, grand, and absolute entrance.
• "that the King of glory may come in": This phrase clarifies the magnificent purpose behind the opening of the gates. The very essence of the event is the unhindered entry of God. It declares His inherent right and power to enter any domain and establish His supreme rule. This climactic declaration focuses all attention on the unrivaled majesty and victorious presence of Yahweh, who commands the very structures of creation to make way for Him.

Psalm 24 7 Bonus section

• Theological Balance: This verse beautifully illustrates God's simultaneous transcendence (He is the cosmic King of glory who transcends all limits) and His immanence (He "comes in" to be present among His people).
• Liturgical Function: Many scholars suggest this Psalm was sung responsively. The priests or Levites leading the procession might have sung verses 7 and 9, prompting the response of verses 8 and 10 ("Who is this King of glory?"), reinforcing the powerful identity of the approaching Yahweh. This dialogue underscores the profound significance of His arrival.
• Polemics against Idolatry: In a polytheistic ancient world, this hymn subtly asserts Yahweh's uniqueness. Unlike impotent idols confined to their temples, Yahweh, the "King of glory," dynamically enters and establishes His rule, demanding reverence from even the most ancient structures, declaring His supreme authority over all creation and pagan deities.
• Implication for the Believer: For Christians, the "gates" can also metaphorically represent personal spiritual barriers, strongholds of sin or unbelief, which must be lifted to allow the indwelling presence of Christ, the Lord of glory, to fully occupy and transform the inner life (Col 1:27; Rev 3:20).

Psalm 24 7 Commentary

Psalm 24:7 is a vibrant proclamation for the grand reception of God, the King of Glory. It employs vivid imagery of formidable gates being commanded to open wide, not merely for passage, but in deep reverence for a supremely majestic King. This act of lifting ancient, perhaps eternal, doors symbolizes not only a physical entry, but a profound spiritual and eternal welcoming of divine authority and presence. Historically, it likely commemorated a processional bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, signifying Yahweh's tangible residence among His people. Prophetically and in the New Testament, it profoundly anticipates the triumphal entries of the Messiah: Jesus' first humble arrival into Jerusalem as King, His glorious ascension into heaven as the Victor, and ultimately, His majestic Second Coming as the reigning King over all creation. This verse serves as an enduring call for all physical and spiritual barriers—whether human resistance, ancient strongholds, or earthly limitations—to yield to the overwhelming, righteous sovereignty of God, inviting His full, transformative presence into lives, cities, and the entire world.

• Examples: When believers choose to relinquish control and fully surrender their lives to Jesus, they are "lifting the ancient doors" of their hearts for the King of Glory to come in and reign. When communities actively strive to welcome God's justice and righteousness, they are metaphorically opening the "gates" of their city for His glorious purposes.