What does Psalm 118:19 mean?

This begins a short segment of the psalm with strong echoes of the New Testament gospel. Jesus described salvation as entry through a narrow gate (Matthew 7:13–14). He also indicated that He was the "door" of salvation (John 10:9). Later verses will mention salvation (Psalm 118:21) and the idea of a rejected stone becoming the most important one (Psalm 118:22).

The psalmist may have intended symbolic meaning, implying that the people were committed to entering a godly way of life and worship. Yet the temple also had a gate which allowed entry; a very literal meaning is possible. Entering the temple complex meant coming to the place where Israel praised their Lord and thanked Him for all His help.

First Thessalonians 5:18 teaches God's people to give thanks in all circumstances. Paul instructed the Philippian believers to not be anxious, "but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God" (Philippians 4:6). Thanking the Lord for His many blessings blocks out worry. It is hard to be anxious and fearful at the same time that one engages in praise and celebration. Colossians 2:6–7 associates thanksgiving with a Christlike life. The same letter (Colossians 4:2) also teaches us to watch for opportunities to offer thanks when we pray. Paul often thanked God for his fellow believers (Ephesians 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:2), for victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:57), for all things (Ephesians 5:20), but most of all for the gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 9:15).