Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7-10
“Twice the people ask in antiphonal chorus, “Who is [he] this King of glory?” (vv. 8, 10)…He is Yahweh (three times, vv. 8, 10)…He brings blessing, victory, and vindication to his people because he is their God and Savior. He is the Warrior…The descriptive phrase “strong and might” and “mighty in battle portray him as the warrior for his people…coming not to fight against them but for them…He is “Lord Almighty” (“of hosts”) as he commands both the heavenly beings and the host of stars and constellations. The Creator-God is the King of glory and has come down to dwell in the midst of the city of human beings.”
Willem A. VanGemeren in Psalms (The Expositors Bible Commentary; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008) 262.
During both Lent and Advent, I love to listen to Handel’s Messiah. The three movements (collections of songs) are comprised of Scriptures that recount the prophecies, the passion, and the promises of the Messiah. This biblical text from Psalms is one of my favorite triumphant songs in Messiah.
While are various theories regarding the function of the gates and the doors in this text from Psalms, let’s focus on the role of people. They are to lift up their heads. In plain terms: “Look!” The King of glory, the Lord of hosts “has come down to dwell in the midst of the city of human beings.”
As we prepare our hearts for the arrival of our Lord, let’s lift up our heads. Let’s give him our full attention. What are the things that distract us? Are you struggling with a problem or difficulty? David, the psalmist would tell you to let the Lord fight for you. What a generous God!
How do I focus? I listen to this edition of Handel’s Messiah over and over. I want to pay attention so that I don’t miss the Christ of Christmas. The Lord of hosts, the God of heaven and earth, has come to dwell in our midst, and I am convinced that he “comes in” to those who welcome him.