Nathaniel Bassey - Lift up Your Heads (Pslam 24) Lyrics
Lyrics
Lift up your heads oh ye gates
And be lifted up ye ancient doors
Lift up your heads oh ye gates
And be lifted up ye everlasting doors
Lift up your heads oh ye gates
And be lifted up ye ancient doors
Lift up your heads oh ye gates
And be lifted up ye everlasting doors
Lift up your heads oh ye gates
And be lifted up ye ancient doors
Lift up your heads oh ye gates
And be lifted up ye everlasting doors
He is the king of glory
The Lord strong and mighty
He is the Lord
He is the Lord
He is the Lord of hosts
Lord, mighty in battle
Lift up your heads ye gates
Ye everlasting doors
He is the king of glory
The Lord strong and mighty
He is the Lord
He is the Lord
He is the Lord of hosts
Lord, mighty in battle
Lift up your heads ye gates
Ye everlasting doors
He is the king of glory
The Lord strong and mighty
He is the Lord
He is the Lord
He is the Lord of hosts
Lord, mighty in battle
Lift up your heads ye gates
Ye everlasting doors
Video
Lift up Your Heads (Pslam 24)
Meaning & Inspiration
Nathaniel Bassey's "Lift up Your Heads (Psalm 24)," released on February 5, 2022, is a powerful musical unfolding of an ancient declaration found in the Scriptures. This song doesn't just set Psalm 24 to music; it seeks to embody its triumphant spirit, guiding those who engage with it into a posture of welcoming God's majestic presence. The core of Psalm 24 shifts focus beautifully: it begins by establishing God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, stating plainly in verses 1 and 2, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods." It then poses the crucial question in verses 3-6: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?" providing the answer rooted in righteousness and purity – "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." However, the song primarily centers on the resounding call of verses 7-10, the dramatic instruction for the "ancient gates" and "everlasting doors" to open wide for the entry of the "King of glory." This is the narrative thread Bassey picks up and expands upon, crafting an anthem of invitation and surrender.
Musically, the arrangement builds anticipation, starting with a sense of reverence before swelling into a grand, declarative soundscape. The instrumentation and vocal delivery work together to convey the weight and majesty of the title being proclaimed: "The King of glory." There’s a sense of holy command in the music, mirroring the authority in the Psalm's decree for the gates to yield. The power isn't found in complex arrangements but in the focused, repetitive declaration that emphasizes the identity of the One who is entering. It’s a sonic interpretation of faith speaking to circumstances, echoing the principle found in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing the word of God. The song essentially takes the written word of Psalm 24 and transforms it into a sung prayer and decree, designed to shift the spiritual atmosphere by focusing on God's supreme authority.
The true depth of the song lies in its connection to the theological weight of Psalm 24:7-10. The imagery of lifting up "ancient gates" and "everlasting doors" speaks to deep-seated barriers, historical strongholds, and seemingly immovable obstacles – whether personal, societal, or spiritual. The command is not issued by human strength, but by the very presence and identity of the "King of glory." This title, repeated for emphasis, refers to the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. It points directly to the God of Exodus, the One who delivered Israel with a mighty hand, and ultimately, for believers, to Jesus Christ, who through His death and resurrection triumphed over sin, death, and the grave, demonstrating His ultimate authority (Colossians 2:15, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57). The call to the gates is an act of faith, recognizing that no barrier can withstand the advance of God's kingdom and His glorious presence. Just as Revelation 4:11 declares God is worthy of glory and honor because He created all things, Psalm 24 asserts His inherent right to enter and reign supreme. Singing this song is an active surrender, inviting the One who is already King of the universe to become King in specific areas of life and the world where resistance remains. It’s a bold declaration aligned with the prayer Christ taught, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). It’s not merely a performance or a passive listening experience; it's designed to be a participatory act of worship and spiritual warfare, aligning the heart and voice with the truth of God's unstoppable reign.