Psalms 24:9

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּ֭שְׂאוּ

H5375

Lift up

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

שְׁעָרִ֨ים׀

H8179

O ye gates

an opening, i.e., door or gate

רָֽאשֵׁיכֶ֗ם

H7218

your heads

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

וּ֭שְׂאוּ

H5375

Lift up

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

פִּתְחֵ֣י

H6607

doors

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

עוֹלָ֑ם

H5769

ye everlasting

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

וְ֝יָבֹא

H935

shall come in

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ

H4428

and the King

a king

הַכָּבֽוֹד׃

H3519

of glory

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

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of glory reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes glory in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding worship and praise as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?