Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#179

179. The Glorious Gate of Righteousness

1 The glorious gates of righteousness
throw open unto me,
and I will come to them with praise
and enter thankfully,
and I will come to them with praise
and enter thankfully.

2 This is your temple gate, O LORD:
the just shall enter there.
My Savior, I will give you thanks,
for you have heard my prayer;
My Savior, I will give you thanks,
for you have heard my prayer.

3 The stone rejected and despised
is now the cornerstone.
How wondrous are the ways of God,
unfathomed and unknown;
how wondrous are the ways of God,
unfathomed and unknown.

4 Hosanna! Ever blest is he
who comes in God's own name.
The blessing of God's holy house
upon you we proclaim;
the blessing of God's holy house
upon you we proclaim.

5 O praise the LORD, for he is good;
let all in heaven above
and all his saints on earth proclaim
his everlasting love;
let all his saints on earth proclaim
his everlasting love.

Text Information

• First Line: The glorious gates of righteousness
• Title: The Glorious Gate of Righteousness
• Meter: CM with repeat
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 118:19-29
• Topic: Suffering of Christ; Advent; Church; Easter
• Source: Psalter, 1912, alt.

Tune Information

• Name: ZERAH
• Composer: Lowell Mason (1837)
• Meter: CM with repeat
• Key: B♭ Major

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 118:19
st. 2 = Ps. 118:20-21
st. 3 = Ps. 118:22-23
st. 4 = Ps. 118:25-26
st. 5 = Ps. 118:29

Based on the processional part of Psalm 118, this text is from the 1912 Psalter. See PHH 118 for textual commentary on Psalm 118.

Liturgical Use:
See PHH 118.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

ZERAH was composed by Lowell Mason (PHH 96) and first published in his Boston Academy's Collection of Church Music (1837). This six-line common-meter tune was set to "The Glorious Gates of Righteousness" in the 1912 Psalter and all editions of the Psalter Hymnal. The tune title is a biblical name that presumably refers to one of the twins born to Judah (Gen. 38:30; Num. 26:20) or perhaps to the Cushite (Ethiopian) king who battled Asa, king of Judah (2 Chron. 14:9-13)–Mason often assigned biblical names (even obscure ones!) to his tunes (see Gen. 36:17; Num. 26:13; 1 Chron. 6:21, and 6:41 for references to other Zerahs in the Bible). ZERAH builds to an effective melodic and harmonic climax. Musicians will want to distinguish clearly between the even eighth notes and the dotted pattern. The dotted rhythms and simple harmony invite treatment by brass instruments.

--Psalter Hymnal handbook