Psalm 24:9 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

Psalm 24:9 kjv

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

Psalm 24:9 nkjv

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

Psalm 24:9 niv

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

Psalm 24:9 esv

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

Psalm 24:9 nlt

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

Psalm 24 9 Cross References

| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) ||------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|| Ps 24:7 | Lift up your heads, O ye gates... and the King of glory shall come in. | Parallel call to gates, introduction of theme || Ps 24:10 | Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. | Identifies the King of glory as LORD of hosts || 2 Sam 6:15-17 | So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting... and they brought in the ark of the LORD. | Ark's entry into Jerusalem, possible context for Psalm 24 || 1 Kgs 8:10-11 | The cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand... for the glory of the LORD had filled the house. | Glory of God filling the Temple at dedication || Ex 40:34-35 | Then the cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. | God's glory filling the Tabernacle || Isa 6:1 | I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up... the train of his robe filled the temple. | God's sovereign glory in the temple || Isa 40:3 | The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. | Call to prepare the way for God's coming || Ezek 43:4-5 | The glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate... and the glory of the LORD filled the house. | Vision of God's glory returning to the Temple || Hab 2:14 | For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. | Future global spread of God's glory || Mal 3:1 | And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant. | Prophecy of the Lord coming to His temple || Zech 14:9 | And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. | God's universal Kingship || Lk 2:9 | The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. | God's glory manifest at Christ's birth || Jn 1:14 | And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father). | Christ's incarnation embodying divine glory || Acts 7:2 | The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham. | God identified as the "God of glory" || 1 Cor 2:8 | Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. | Christ identified as "the Lord of glory" || Col 1:27 | To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. | Christ indwelling, the hope of future glory || Heb 1:3 | Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person. | Christ as the very radiance of God's glory || Phil 2:9-11 | God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name... that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | Christ's exaltation and universal Lordship || Rev 19:16 | And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. | Christ as supreme King || Rev 21:25 | And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. | Gates of New Jerusalem perpetually open to God's presence || Ps 29:3 | The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth. | God's power and voice as the "God of glory" || 1 Tim 1:17 | Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. | Attributes of the King, parallel to "King of glory" |

Psalm 24 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Psalm 24 9 Meaning

Psalm 24:9 is a resounding command and declaration, calling upon symbolic gates and ancient doorways to give way for the entry of God, specifically identified as "the King of glory." It is an anthem of triumph and an authoritative summons for all obstacles to yield before the divine Sovereign, signifying His rightful place of power and reign. This verse anticipates a majestic arrival and enthronement, whether physically into a sacred space or spiritually into the cosmic order.

Psalm 24 9 Context

Psalm 24 is believed to be a processional psalm, likely used during the re-entry of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem by King David (as described in 2 Sam 6) or as worshippers ascended to the Temple during major festivals. The psalm opens by declaring God's sovereignty over all creation (vv. 1-2), then poses the question of who is worthy to ascend God's holy hill (vv. 3-6), emphasizing purity and righteousness. Verses 7-10 form a powerful, antiphonal climax, with an unseen voice or procession outside the city/temple gates calling for them to open for "the King of glory." The gates, perhaps personified, question "Who is this King of glory?" only to be met with the triumphant declaration that He is "the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle" (v. 8) and ultimately "the LORD of hosts" (v. 10). Verse 9 repeats and reinforces the imperative command, signaling the climax of the divine entry.

Psalm 24 9 Word analysis

"Lift up": (Hebrew: נָשׂוּ, nasu) - An imperative verb, strong and direct. It implies not just opening, but a full elevation or expansion, a deliberate raising. It suggests overcoming any natural resistance or insufficiency to adequately receive the divine presence.
"your heads": (Hebrew: רָאשֵׁיכֶם, rosheykem) - Here, anthropomorphizes the "gates," giving them the ability to "lift their heads." This refers to the top or lintels of the gate structure, instructing them to rise higher or open wider. It vividly portrays the gates as active participants, compelled to yield their authority.
"O ye gates": (Hebrew: שְׁעָרִים, she'arim) - Literally "gates." These are likely the gates of Jerusalem or the Temple, but symbolically, they represent any barrier or entryway to the divine presence. They are called to open wide to accommodate the glorious one.
"even lift them up": This is a repetition for intensified emphasis. The doubling of the command ("Lift up... even lift them up") creates a sense of urgency, certainty, and an overwhelming demand that leaves no room for hesitation, highlighting the unparalleled status of the approaching One.
"ye everlasting doors": (Hebrew: פִּתְחֵי עוֹלָם, pithei olam) - "Doors" (pithei) further describes entryways. "Everlasting" (olam) signifies ancient, perpetual, or enduring. These are not new or temporary gates but those that have stood for ages, representing the enduring nature of the divine dwelling or even a cosmic threshold. This highlights the timeless dominion of the "King of glory" over all creation and time, contrasting human limitations with divine eternality.
"and the King of glory": (Hebrew: מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד, Melek haKavod) - This is the central title. "King" (Melek) denotes absolute sovereignty and supreme authority. "Glory" (Kavod) refers to God's weighty, majestic presence, His inherent worth, splendor, and manifest power. It describes the tangible and awe-inspiring manifestation of His divine essence, distinguishing YHWH from any earthly king or powerless idol. This title asserts His unmatched divine attributes and authority over all things.
"shall come in": (Hebrew: יָבֹא, yavo) - A future tense, signifying certainty and inevitability. The arrival of the King of glory is not an invitation for permission but a declaration of triumphant entry. The command to the gates prepares them for an imminent and certain event.

Words-group Analysis

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors": This repeated and anthropomorphic command poetically instructs not just physical gates, but all perceived barriers, to prepare for a sovereign entrance. The progression from "gates" to "everlasting doors" subtly shifts from a temporal or localized entry to one of enduring and universal significance. It emphasizes that no impediment, no matter how ancient or seemingly impenetrable, can withstand the command of the "King of glory."
"and the King of glory shall come in": This conclusive phrase identifies the divine subject of this magnificent procession. It underscores the ultimate purpose of the gates' surrender: the glorious advent of the One who holds supreme power and radiating majesty. The definitive "shall come in" transforms the command into an assured promise of His triumphant manifestation.

Psalm 24 9 Bonus section

Liturgical Function: This verse, along with verses 7 and 10, suggests an antiphonal chant, a call-and-response during a procession. A voice from the arriving procession calls for the gates to open, and perhaps an answering voice from within questions, "Who is this King of glory?" before the resounding declaration of His identity.
Polemics against Idolatry: By asserting YHWH as the true "King of glory," the Psalm subtly stands against pagan deities and their cultic images, which are inert and cannot move or command, let alone possess such glory. The "King of glory" contrasts sharply with the "glory" (or rather, worthlessness) of man-made idols.
Spiritual Application: Beyond its historical context, Psalm 24:9 resonates spiritually. It invites believers to open the "gates" and "everlasting doors" of their own lives, minds, and hearts, allowing the "King of glory" (Christ Jesus) to enter and reign supreme. It speaks of surrender and welcoming His transformative presence.

Psalm 24 9 Commentary

Psalm 24:9 is a magnificent affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty and majestic arrival. It transforms physical gates into cosmic or spiritual thresholds, demanding they bow to the entrance of the "King of glory," Yahweh, the Lord of Hosts. This title "King of glory" encompasses God's intrinsic worth, His radiating splendor, and His manifest power, unparalleled by any earthly ruler or false deity. The repeated command for the gates to "lift up their heads" speaks to a full surrender and ready acknowledgement of divine authority. While rooted in Israel's history—perhaps celebrating the Ark's arrival or a liturgical procession—it carries profound prophetic and Christological implications, foreshadowing Christ's triumphant ascension into heaven and His spiritual reign as the true King of glory within believing hearts. The verse calls all creation, including the human soul, to open wide to His transforming, indwelling presence.