Psalms 118:20

Commentary on Psalms 118:20 (KJV)

Psalms 118:20: "This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter."

Context

Psalm 118 is a vibrant psalm of thanksgiving, part of the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118) traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals such as Passover, Sukkot (Tabernacles), and Hanukkah (Dedication). It celebrates God's enduring lovingkindness and miraculous deliverance. The psalmist, likely a king or leader, has experienced great distress and has been delivered by the Lord. Verse 19 sets the stage, with the psalmist requesting, "Open to me the gates of righteousness," implying a desire to enter God's presence to give thanks. Verse 20 is the immediate response or declaration, identifying the specific gate and who is permitted to pass through.

Key Themes

• Access to God's Presence: The "gate of the LORD" symbolizes the divinely appointed way to approach God, His sanctuary, and His blessings. It represents the path to spiritual communion and the place of thanksgiving and worship. This imagery resonates with the Temple gates in Jerusalem, but also carries a deeper spiritual meaning of access to divine favor and salvation.
• The Prerequisite of Righteousness: The verse explicitly states that only "the righteous shall enter." This highlights that access to God is not universal or automatic, but is granted to those who are in a right relationship with Him. In the Old Testament, righteousness referred to living in accordance with God's laws and covenant, demonstrating moral integrity and justice. For the New Testament believer, this points to the righteousness imputed by faith in Jesus Christ, who is Himself the ultimate "door" or "gate" to salvation (John 10:9).
• Divine Sovereignty and Invitation: It is "the gate of the LORD," meaning God Himself establishes this access point. He sets the terms for entry, inviting those who meet His criteria. This emphasizes God's control and gracious provision for humanity to draw near to Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "gate" is sha'ar (שַׁעַר), which can refer to a literal city or temple gate, but here it functions metaphorically as an entrance or access point. The term "righteous" is tsaddiqim (צַדִּיקִים), referring to those who are just, upright, and vindicated. It describes individuals who are in proper covenantal standing with God, acting in accordance with His will. This concept of righteousness is central to understanding who may ascend God's holy hill and enter His presence.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 118:20 offers profound encouragement and a clear challenge. It reminds us that:

• Access to God is a Privilege: Through Christ, we have been granted access to God's presence, a privilege denied to those who are not righteous. This should inspire gratitude and awe.
• Pursue Righteousness: While salvation is by grace through faith, true faith always leads to a pursuit of righteousness. We are called to live lives that reflect God's character, striving for holiness and obedience. This is not about earning our way in, but about living out the new nature we've received in Christ.
• The Narrow Way: This verse echoes the New Testament teaching about the narrow gate that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). It underscores that while God's invitation is broad, the path to His immediate presence is specific and requires alignment with His divine standard.

Ultimately, this verse is a declaration of God's holy character and His provision for humanity to draw near to Him, emphasizing the essential role of righteousness in that divine encounter.