Psalms 24:7
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse poetically personifies the ancient gates and doors, urging them to "lift up their heads" as if they were too low for the divine King entering. This imagery highlights not just the majesty of the King of glory, but also the radical shift of power and presence He brings, demanding the very structures of the city open in welcome.
This passage depicts a triumphant procession approaching a city or sacred space, likely Jerusalem after its capture by David. As the procession nears the gates, a powerful, poetic command is issued, calling for the ancient doors to open wide and high. This dramatic invitation is made so that the "King of glory" can enter, signifying the momentous arrival of God's presence, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, into its new, permanent dwelling.
The text commands gates and doors to 'lift up their heads.' But what if ancient translations missed the point, and the invitation wasn't for people at all?
A Royal Welcome
This verse paints a vivid picture of a grand procession. As the ark of God, carrying the symbol of His presence, approaches the city of Jerusalem (or the tabernacle/temple), a command rings out: "Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors!"
Some ancient translations interpret "heads" as "princes," suggesting a command to leaders. However, the original Hebrew strongly points to the physical heads or tops of the gates themselves. This isn't a call to human rulers, but a personification of inanimate objects, treating them as if they have the capacity to respond to a royal presence.
This personification emphasizes the immense glory and authority of the one about to enter. The gates, described as "ancient" or "everlasting" (implying great age and durability), are commanded to elevate themselves, making way for the "King of glory."
Who is this King whose entrance demands such a spectacular welcome? The psalm doesn't leave us guessing, but asks and answers with powerful descriptions.
More Than Just a King
The repeated question, "Who is this King of glory?" is not a sign of uncertainty, but a rhetorical device to magnify the One entering. The answers provided are profound:
These titles declare that the incoming King is none other than the Lord Himself. He is not merely a human ruler, but the eternal God, possessing supreme strength, power in conflict, and commanding all the armies of heaven and earth.
When the ark of the covenant, the symbol of God's presence, was brought into Jerusalem by David, it represented God Himself dwelling among His people. This King of Glory is the God who is present, powerful, and victorious.
Understand the original words
ša‘ar · Hebrew Noun
Often refers to the entry points of a city or the temple, symbolically representing the threshold of God's dwelling place. They are called to 'lift up' or open wide to receive the majesty of God.
‘ôlām · Hebrew Adjective
Describes the enduring, eternal nature of God's habitation, suggesting that God’s presence precedes human history and remains constant throughout time.
kābôd · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the manifestation of God’s essential nature, weightiness, radiance, and supreme excellence. It is the visible display of His divine majesty.
This psalm's powerful imagery of gates opening for the 'King of glory' points to the triumphant procession of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, a pivotal moment in Israel's history when God's presence was formally established in Zion.
c. 1000 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
King David conquers the Jebusite city of Jerusalem, establishing it as the capital of Israel. This event sets the stage for bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the city.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Ark of the Covenant Brought to Zion
After its capture, David orchestrates a grand procession to bring the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God's presence, into Jerusalem. This psalm likely celebrates this momentous occasion.
c. 966 BC
Temple Construction Begins
Solomon, David's son, begins construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. This monumental project fulfills David's desire for a fixed sanctuary.
c. 959 BC
Dedication of the Temple
The First Temple is dedicated, and the Ark of the Covenant is placed within the Holy of Holies. The glory of the Lord fills the Temple, signifying God's abiding presence.
This passage echoes the theme of glory entering the world, specifically with the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, much like the King of glory entering His dwelling place in Psalm 24.
Ephesians 4:8Paul quotes from this psalm (or a similar tradition) to describe Christ's ascension, where He led captivity captive, signifying a triumphant entry into heaven after His victory.
1 Corinthians 2:8This verse identifies Jesus as the 'Lord of glory,' directly linking Him to the 'King of glory' who is making His triumphant entrance in Psalm 24.
Revelation 21:3-4This future vision describes God dwelling with His people in a new creation, a ultimate fulfillment of the idea of God's presence entering and abiding with humanity.
ellicottPsalms 24:7: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in."
(7) Gates. —The LXX. and Vulgate miss this fine personification, by rendering “princes” instead of “heads.” “Lift up your gates, O princes.” The sacrifice of the poetry to antiquarianism, by introducing the idea of a “portcullis,” is little less excusable. The poet deems the ancient gateways of the conquered castle far too low for the dignity of the approaching Monarch, a…
calvinPsalms 24:7-10: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in."
- Lift up your heads, O ye gates! and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors! and the King of glory shall enter in. 8. Who is this King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates! Be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors! and the King of glory shall enter in. 10. Who is this King of glory? Jehovah of hosts, he is the K…
The verse poetically personifies the ancient gates and doors, urging them to "lift up their heads" as if they were too low for the divine King entering. This imagery highlights not just the majesty of the King of glory, but also the radical shift of power and presence He brings, demanding the very structures of the city open in welcome.
This passage depicts a triumphant procession approaching a city or sacred space, likely Jerusalem after its capture by David. As the procession nears the gates, a powerful, poetic command is issued, calling for the ancient doors to open wide and high. This dramatic invitation is made so that the "King of glory" can enter, signifying the momentous arrival of God's presence, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, into its new, permanent dwelling.
This passage depicts a triumphant procession approaching a city or sacred space, likely Jerusalem after its capture by David. As the procession nears the gates, a powerful, poetic command is issued, calling for the ancient doors to open wide and high. This dramatic invitation is made so that the "King of glory" can enter, signifying the momentous arrival of God's presence, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, into its new, permanent dwelling.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 24:7 is available in the Sola app.
These ancient doors were meant to open for God's presence. What does this command to 'be lifted up' mean for us today, as we encounter Him?
Preparing the Way
While this psalm describes a physical entry of the ark into Jerusalem, its meaning extends far beyond that historical event. Commentators suggest it's a powerful metaphor for spiritual realities:
Just as the ancient doors needed to be raised to accommodate the King, our hearts must be willing to be opened and transformed to make room for Christ's active presence in our lives.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and destroy the First Temple, carrying the Ark of the Covenant and other sacred treasures into exile. This marks a period of national devastation and spiritual crisis for Israel.
"Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in." — The verse poetically personifies the ancient gates and doors, urging them to "lift up their heads" as if they were too low for the divine King entering. This imagery highlights not just the majesty o…
