THE GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

This is the last of the Hallel Psalms. This group of psalms comprises Psalms 113-118, and were repeated by the Jews at their festivals. It also formed part of the prayer for the Passover night. It was therefore most probably repeated by the Lord Jesus and His disciples at the inauguration of the Lord’s Supper, “when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives”, Matt. 26. 30. His voice must have been strong to sing, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it”, Psa. 118. 24, though it was to be the day of His infinite sufferings and untold sorrow. He was the Sacrifice bound with cords of divine love to Calvary’s altar, v. 27. Beyond that cross lay the exalted position, “the head stone of the corner”, v. 22, 23, though this had been rejected by the builders, Mark 12. 10, 11.

The psalm celebrates a great deliverance which can be no other than the return from Babylon. It was also written for use in temple worship, vv. 19, 20, 26, and was the fullest expression of jubilant thanksgiving. It was intended to be sung by the procession of worshippers on their way to the temple in a time of national rejoicing. Verses 1-4 were sung by the procession as it started on its way. The words of verses 5-18 rang out as the pilgrims made their way to the temple. When they reached its gates, the procession sang the challenge of verse 19. The following verse gives the response of priests within the gates. The gates open, and the procession sings on entering the temple courts, vv. 21-25. There follows the granting of blessing by the priests, v. 26, and the psalm ends with a final chorus from the procession’s singers, vv. 27-29.

On reaching the gate, the procession had described them as “the gates of righteousness”. This was so because they had come to the abode of the righteous God, Jer. 31. 23, from whence He manifested His righteousness in the salvation of the people, sending “help from the sanctuary”, Psa. 20. 2. A voice from within then reminded them of the conditions of entry, v. 20. The emphasis is on the word “righteous”; those who would enter must be righteous like Him who dwells there. Evil cannot dwell with Him, Psa. 5. 4, but the description of those who do is not left to conjecture. It is clearly stated in Psalms 15. 2-5; 24. 4.