Psalms 118:17

17 Life and not death will be my part, and I will give out the story of the works of the Lord.

Psalms 118:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 118:17

I shall not die, but live
Not that he should never die, David knew he should; but that his present afflictions would not issue in death; or he should not die by the hands of his enemies, he sometimes feared he should; but now believed he should live, as he did, to a good old age: he knew he should live spiritually and eternally, and not die a second death; and so may all true believers and members of Christ say. Yea, these words may be considered as the words of Christ; who, though he came into the world to die, and did die for the sins of his people; yet he knew he should not die before his time, nor should he continue long under the power of death; but should live again, and live for evermore, and not die; death should have no more dominion over him; see ( Psalms 16:10 ) ( Romans 6:9 ) ;

and declare the works of the Lord;
the wonderful appearances of God in a providential way, and all his marvellous works of grace; as David did, and as all the people of God more or less do; and which is the end of their living; not to eat and drink, and gratify their carnal senses, but to glorify God, by declaring what he has done for themselves and others. So the Messiah declared the name of God, his nature, perfections, mind and will, word and works, among his brethren in the great congregation, ( Psalms 22:22 ) .

Psalms 118:17 In-Context

15 The sound of joy and salvation is in the tents of the upright; the right hand of the Lord does works of power.
16 The right hand of the Lord is lifted up; the right hand of the Lord does works of power.
17 Life and not death will be my part, and I will give out the story of the works of the Lord.
18 The hand of Jah has been hard on me; but he has not given me up to death.
19 Let the doors of righteousness be open to me; I will go in and give praise to the Lord.
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