A Meditation on Psalm 118:19-21

            I was reading this psalm on Easter Sunday and verse 20 caught my attention.  This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.  I was intrigued as to what the gate of the Lord might be that the psalmist is asking to be opened to him in v.19.  My mind went to Good Friday.  Having cried out, “It is finished!” Jesus gave up His spirit (John 19:30), then the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matt.27:51).  This curtain that signified the separation of man from God was now opened for us.  Christ had dealt with our sin completely at that moment.  Hebrews reminds us that there is no longer any need for a sacrifice when our sin is forgiven.  Jesus our High Priest has dealt with every one of them on the cross.  Therefore we, who have been made righteous, can have confidence to enter God’s presence “by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…” (Heb.10:17-20).  The Lord is now the ‘gate’ through whom we can enter into the presence of God. 

            So how does the psalmist say we should enter this ‘gate’ that the Lord has opened for us?  The two verses either side of verse 20 give us the answer.  The psalmist requests in verse 19 that the Lord open the gate for him, then he “will enter and give thanks to the Lord.”  While verse 21 gives the reason, “I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.”  His thanksgiving is because the Lord heard and saved him. 

            The psalm gives us the reason for his prayer that had prompted his thanksgiving.  The Lord had helped and saved him in his many trials and difficulties.  We too can enter through the ‘gate’ with thanksgiving and praise as we think about all that the Lord has done for us, not only in saving us, but also in His help and faithfulness in loving, caring and providing for our every need.  As the old hymn puts it, Count your blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.  This shouldn’t really surprise us for as Ephesians 1:3 tells us God the Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  Let us learn to appreciate all that He has done for us, and respond with a thankful heart.