Psalms 118:20

20 This is the gate of the Lord; only the righteous can come in.

Psalms 118:20 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 118:20

This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
] This seems to be spoken by some other person or persons, distinct from David and the Messiah, pointing at some particular and principal gate, upon hearing the above word: by which is meant, not the gate of the house of the sanctuary of the Lord, as the Targum; but the Messiah himself, afterwards spoken of as the stone rejected by the builders, and made the head of the corner; who is the way of access to God; the door into the church or sheepfold; the strait gate that leads to eternal life; by which none but righteous persons enter into heaven; even such who are made righteous, through the imputation of his righteousness to them; see ( John 10:1 John 10:9 ) ( 14:4 ) ( Matthew 7:14 ) .

Psalms 118:20 In-Context

18 He has punished me severely, but he has not let me die.
19 Open to me the gates of the Temple; I will go in and give thanks to the Lord!
20 This is the gate of the Lord; only the righteous can come in.
21 I praise you, Lord, because you heard me, because you have given me victory.
22 The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.