Doors and Gateways

The Old South Gate, Exeter by Paul Collings

Psalm 24:7

Lift up your heads, O gates,

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

That the King of glory may come in!

On first reading this verse seems quite strange doesn’t - gates lifting the heads and doors that lifted up. We need to remember this is a poet’s interpretation found within a Temple hymn. In the period of this psalm, the Ark of the Covenant was deemed to focus and embody the presence of God among the people. On this occasion, the Ark of the Covenant is being returned to the temple.

When the Queen Elizabeth wishes to enter the city of London, through the Temple Bar, the gate is closed against her, and then the herald demands entrance. ‘Open the gate.’ From within a voice is heard, ‘Who is there?’ The herald answers, ‘The Queen of England!’ The gate is at once opened, and the king passes, amidst the joyful acclamations of his people.

This is what is happening in our psalm and the hymn continues 

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

The question for us is how open are we to welcome the King of Glory?

Almighty God,
who sent your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of your Church:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.