580. Ye gates, lift up your heads on high
Psalm XXIV
Scottish Psalter, 1650
Psalm 24:7-10. A Marching Chorus and Triumphant Song of Victory.
The procession escorting the ark, symbol of God’s presence, has now reached the city gates and Jerusalem is called upon to open wide its gates to its true King. “Raise up your arches, O gates, and open wide your ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter in.” The full glory of God can come into our lives only as we enlarge the receiving facilities of our hearts and minds.
MUSIC. ST. GEORGE’S, EDINBURGH was composed especially for these words by Dr. Andrew Thomson, minister of the church by the above name in Edinburgh. It became the custom in many places in Scotland for the congregation to sing this psalm at Communion while ministers and elders in solemn procession brought the bread and wine into the church before the administration of the sacrament.
Andrew Thomson, 1778-1831, trained in the University of Edinburgh, was an outstanding Scottish Presbyterian preacher and leading public figure in Edinburgh. He had musical gifts and set himself to improve the psalmody of his church and composed a number of tunes. In collaboration with his precentor, R. A. Smith, he compiled several collections of psalms and hymns. He also published books of sermons and lectures and wrote numerous magazine articles. Thomson died suddenly within a few steps of his own door when returning from a Presbytery meeting. His son became professor of music in the University of Edinburgh.