O Clavis David

O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, Who does open and no man shutteth, Who dost shut and no man openeth; come and lead forth from his prison the captive sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Who are those in prison? "Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin [John 8:34]." Who of us is without sin? Who of us, then, is not in need of a Savior who is powerful enough to overcome sin, to set us free to choose the good and virtuous life, even to make us see it as desirable (who of us is not so deceived as to prefer our sins to virtue sometimes?)? If we pray for deliverance, Christ will lead out even our hidden sins, for He it is who opens and no man can shut.