Unless stated otherwise, my source for hymn texts and tunes is The Lutheran Service Book.

Friday, April 19, 2024

"Rex gloriae"

A couple months ago, I was looking through some of the hymn tunes that I'd transposed to different keys, and I had a realization about "Rex gloriae."  The title seems to come from Psalm 24:7-10:
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  8 Who is the King of glory?  The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!  9 Lift up your heads, O gates!  And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  10 Who is this King of glory?  The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!
In the Latin Vulgate, these verses are:
7 levate portae capita vestra et elevamini ianuae sempiternae et ingrediatur rex gloriae 8 quis est iste rex gloriae Dominus fortis et potens Dominus fortis in proelio 9 levate portae capita vestra et erigite ianuae sempiternae et ingrediatur rex gloriae 10 quis est iste rex gloriae Dominus exercituum ipse est rex gloriae
The phrase "King of glory" ("rex gloriae") occurs multiple times in this passage.