King James Version

What Does Psalms 24:7 Mean?

Psalms 24:7 in the King James Version says “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. — study this verse from Psalms chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 24:7 · KJV


Context

5

He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6

This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. O Jacob: or, O God of Jacob

7

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

8

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

9

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command to gates—'Lift up your heads, O ye gates'—personifies Jerusalem's entryway, calling them to prepare for the King's arrival. The question 'Who is this King of glory?' creates dramatic anticipation. Reformed theology sees Christ's triumphal entry (Palm Sunday) and His ascension fulfilling this imagery. When Christ enters, all barriers must yield. The repetition in verse 9 emphasizes the importance and certainty of the King's victorious entrance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This may have been sung when the Ark entered Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6) or during festival processions. The antiphonal question-answer format created liturgical drama, teaching congregants about God's character through participatory worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'gates' in your life need to 'lift up' to welcome the King of glory?
  2. How does Christ's victorious entry into heaven affect your daily confidence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְֽ֭הִנָּשְׂאוּ1 of 9

Lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

שְׁעָרִ֨ים׀2 of 9

O ye gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

רָֽאשֵׁיכֶ֗ם3 of 9

your heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְֽ֭הִנָּשְׂאוּ4 of 9

Lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פִּתְחֵ֣י5 of 9

doors

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

עוֹלָ֑ם6 of 9

ye everlasting

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְ֝יָב֗וֹא7 of 9

shall come in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֶ֣לֶךְ8 of 9

and the King

H4428

a king

הַכָּבֽוֹד׃9 of 9

of glory

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 24:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 24:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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