Psa 118:19-20 | KingComments | STEP | And this lovingkindness does not end with their joy about the deliverance. When the remnant is restored to their relationship with God on the basis of the work of His Son, they will boldly ask that “the gates of righteousness” be opened to them ( ). These are the gates that give access to righteousness. They are the gates of Jerusalem, which is now “the city of righteousness”, “a faithful city” ( ). The psalmist enters, followed by the righteous ( ) who have first given thanks to the LORD in their tents ( ). Only the righteous may enter ( ). There they will “give thanks to the LORD” for all the benefits He has proven to them. The gates of righteousness lead to “the gate of the LORD” that is the gate of the temple. That is where the LORD dwells. The gates and the gate are a picture of Christ. The righteous must enter through Him, just as Christ is the door for the sheep in the New Testament ( ). Each of the twelve gates of the city ( ) leads to Him Who is the center of the city. The name of the city in the realm of peace is therefore “The LORD is there” ( ). The remnant – they “all … [will be] righteous” ( ) – will enter through that gate. In the city, in the temple, the remnant will give thanks to Him because He has heard them, for He has become their salvation ( ). He has redeemed them from affliction and brought them into the salvation of the realm of peace. For this He deserves all praise and thanks.

‏ Psalms 118:19-20

The Triumphal Entry

And this lovingkindness does not end with their joy about the deliverance. When the remnant is restored to their relationship with God on the basis of the work of His Son, they will boldly ask that “the gates of righteousness” be opened to them (Psa 118:19). These are the gates that give access to righteousness. They are the gates of Jerusalem, which is now “the city of righteousness”, “a faithful city” (Isa 1:26).

The psalmist enters, followed by the righteous (Psa 118:20) who have first given thanks to the LORD in their tents (Psa 118:15). Only the righteous may enter (Psa 24:3-6). There they will “give thanks to the LORD” for all the benefits He has proven to them.

The gates of righteousness lead to “the gate of the LORD” that is the gate of the temple. That is where the LORD dwells. The gates and the gate are a picture of Christ. The righteous must enter through Him, just as Christ is the door for the sheep in the New Testament (Jn 10:7-9).

Each of the twelve gates of the city (Eze 48:30-35) leads to Him Who is the center of the city. The name of the city in the realm of peace is therefore “The LORD is there” (Eze 48:35b). The remnant – they “all … [will be] righteous” (Isa 60:21) – will enter through that gate.

In the city, in the temple, the remnant will give thanks to Him because He has heard them, for He has become their salvation (Psa 118:21). He has redeemed them from affliction and brought them into the salvation of the realm of peace. For this He deserves all praise and thanks.