Psalms 118

1 Give thanks to ADONAI; for he is good, for his grace continues forever.

2 Now let Isra'el say, "His grace continues forever."

3 Now let the house of Aharon say, "His grace continues forever."

4 Now let those who fear ADONAI say, "His grace continues forever."

5 From my being hemmed in I called on Yah; he answered and gave me more room.

6 With ADONAI on my side, I fear nothing -what can human beings do to me?

7 With ADONAI on my side as my help, I will look with triumph at those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in ADONAI than to trust in human beings;

9 better to take refuge in ADONAI than to put one's trust in princes.

10 The nations all surrounded me; in the name of ADONAI I cut them down.

11 They surrounded me on every side in the name of ADONAI I cut them down.

12 They surrounded me like bees but were extinguished [as quickly] as a fire in thorns; in the name of ADONAI I cut them down.

13 You pushed me hard to make me fall, but ADONAI helped me.

14 Yah is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.

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.

20 This is the gate of ADONAI; the righteous can enter it.

21 I am thanking you because you answered me; you became my salvation.

22 The very rock that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!

23 This has come from ADONAI, and in our eyes it is amazing.

24 This is the day ADONAI has made, a day for us to rejoice and be glad.

25 Please, ADONAI! Save us! Please, ADONAI! Rescue us!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI. We bless you from the house of ADONAI.

27 ADONAI is God, and he gives us light. Join in the pilgrim festival with branches all the way to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I thank you. You are my God; I exalt you.

29 Give thanks to ADONAI; for he is good, for his grace continues forever.

Psalms 118 Commentary

Chapter 118

It is good to trust in the Lord. (1-18) The coming of Christ in his kingdom. (19-29)

Verses 1-18 The account the psalmist here gives of his troubles is very applicable to Christ: many hated him without a cause; nay, the Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him, and put him to grief, that by his stripes we might be healed. God is sometimes the strength of his people, when he is not their song; they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God, or whether he looks forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant cause for joy and praise. Every answer to our prayers is an evidence that the Lord is on our side; and then we need not fear what man can do unto us; we should conscientiously do our duty to all, and trust in him alone to accept and bless us. Let us seek to live to declare the works of God, and to encourage others to serve him and trust in him. Such were the triumphs of the Son of David, in the assurance that the good pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand.

Verses 19-29 Those who saw Christ's day at so great a distance, saw cause to praise God for the prospect. The prophecy, ver. ( psalms 118:22-23 ) Christ. 1. His humiliation; he is the Stone which the builders refused: they would go on in their building without him. This proved the ruin of those who thus made light of him. Rejecters of Christ are rejected of God. 2. His exaltation; he is the chief Cornerstone in the foundation. He is the chief Top-stone, in whom the building is completed, who must, in all things, have the pre-eminence. Christ's name is Wonderful; and the redemption he wrought out is the most amazing of all God's wondrous works. We will rejoice and be glad in the Lord's day; not only that such a day is appointed, but in the occasion of it, Christ's becoming the Head. Sabbath days ought to be rejoicing days, then they are to us as the days of heaven. Let this Saviour be my Saviour, my Ruler. Let my soul prosper and be in health, in that peace and righteousness which his government brings. Let me have victory over the lusts that war against my soul; and let Divine grace subdue my heart. The duty which the Lord has made, brings light with it, true light. The duty this privilege calls for, is here set forth; the sacrifices we are to offer to God in gratitude for redeeming love, are ourselves; not to be slain upon the altar, but living sacrifices, to be bound to the altar; spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise, in which our hearts must be engaged. The psalmist praises God, and calls upon all about him to give thanks to God for the glad tidings of great joy to all people, that there is a Redeemer, even Christ the Lord. In him the covenant of grace is made sure and everlasting.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 118

Kimchi says their Rabbins are divided about this psalm. Some understand it of David; others of the Messiah: but, with us Christians, there ought to be no doubt of its belonging to the Messiah; since our Lord has quoted a passage out of it, and applied it to himself, Ps 118:22,23; see Mt 21:42; and so has the Apostle Peter, Ac 4:11. Nor did the Jews of those times object thereunto, which doubtless they would have done, had the psalm respected any other but the Messiah; yea, the common people that attended Christ when he entered into Jerusalem, and the children in the temple, took their "hosanna" from hence, Ps 118:26; see Mt 21:9,15. It is generally thought to be written by David, after he was established in the kingdom, and had brought the ark of the Lord into the city. It concludes the great "Hallel", or hymn sung at the Jewish festivals; particularly at the feasts of tabernacle and the passover.