Psalm 24:7-10

This week’s responsorial comes from Psalm 24, an ancient hymn of praise to welcome God, the king of glory, into his Temple.

In the celebration of our feast today, the king of glory comes to his Temple cradled in his mother’s arms.

Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!

There are few themes more central to the faith of ancient Israel than the kingship of God. This foundational belief underscored God’s sovereignty over all creation, his authority to rule with justice and righteousness, and his covenantal relationship with his chosen people.

The city gates are personified, called to lift up and reach. Their mere human dimensions are too low and narrow to accommodate the majestic entry of the King of Glory. This poetic imagery suggests reverence and readiness to receive a distinguished visitor.

The gates might also carry a symbolic meaning, representing the opening of all creation to the divine King or opening the “gates” of the human heart to allow God’s presence to enter.

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

This may have been part of an antiphonal chant, where one group asks, and another responds. This liturgical element likely reflects a custom practiced in walled cities. Before being admitted, a sentinel would require some form of identification. The sentinel on the city wall would shout out the questions and the party seeking entry would shout back the answers.

The titles used in the response suggest that God has been victorious. Answering the question is an opportunity to proclaim God’s glory.

Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!

The regal request for entrance is repeated, underscoring the importance of the King’s arrival and creating a sense of urgency and grandeur.

This likely served to intensify the communal atmosphere of worship and challenge hearers to ensure their hearts are fully open to receive God’s presence.

Who is this king of glory? The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.

The inquiry is posed again, inviting worshipers to proclaim God’s ultimate identity.

This time the answer is given in military terms. Besides being the king, God is also a mighty warrior. Since hosts (tsâbâ’) are army divisions, the title “LORD of hosts” suggests that God is the commander of military forces. This proclamation emphasizes God’s sovereignty not only over Israel but over all creation.

The final proclamation of God as the King of Glory serves as a powerful conclusion, encapsulating the entire psalm in a triumphant proclamation of God’s majesty and authority.