Psalms 118:17

17 I will not die; no, I will live and proclaim the great deeds of Yah!

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 rejoicing and victory is heard in the tents of the righteous: "ADONAI's right hand struck powerfully!
16 ADONAI's right hand is raised in triumph! ADONAI's right hand struck powerfully!"
17 I will not die; no, I will live and proclaim the great deeds of Yah!
18 Yah disciplined me severely, but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter them and thank Yah.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.