Psalms 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good, ¹ and his love is eternal.

2 Let the people of Israel say, "His love is eternal."

3 Let the priests of God say, "His love is eternal."

4 Let all who worship him say, "His love is eternal."

5 In my distress I called to the Lord; he answered me and set me free.

6 The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid; ² what can anyone do to me?

7 It is the Lord who helps me, and I will see my enemies defeated.

8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to depend on people.

9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to depend on human leaders.

10 Many enemies were around me; but I destroyed them by the power of the Lord!

11 They were around me on every side; but I destroyed them by the power of the Lord!

12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they burned out as quickly as a brush fire; by the power of the Lord I destroyed them.

13 I was fiercely attacked and was being defeated, but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord makes me powerful and strong; ³ he has saved me.

15 Listen to the glad shouts of victory in the tents of God's people: "The Lord's mighty power has done it!

16 His power has brought us victory - his mighty power in battle!"

17 I will not die; instead, I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done.

18 He has punished me severely, but he has not let me die.

19 Open to me the gates of the Temple; I will go in and give thanks to the Lord!

20 This is the gate of the Lord; only the righteous can come in.

21 I praise you, Lord, because you heard me, because you have given me victory.

22 The stone which the builders rejected as worthless ⁴ turned out to be the most important of all.

23 This was done by the Lord; what a wonderful sight it is!

24 This is the day of the Lord's victory; let us be happy, let us celebrate!

25 Save us, Lord, save us! ⁵ Give us success, O Lord!

26 May God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! ⁶ From the Temple of the Lord we bless you.

27 The Lord is God; he has been good to us. With branches in your hands, start the festival and march around the altar.

28 You are my God, and I give you thanks; I will proclaim your greatness.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good, and his love is eternal.

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.

Cross References

• 1. 118.11 Chronicles 16.34;2 Chronicles 5.13; 7.3;Ezra 3.11;Psalms 100.5; 106.1; 107.1; 136.1;Jeremiah 33.11.
• 2. 118.6Hebrews 13.6.
• 3. 118.14Exodus 15.2;Isaiah 12.2.
• 4. 118.22Luke 20.17;Acts 4.11; 1 P 2.7.+O+N118.22, 23Matthew 21.42;Mark 12.10, 11.
• 5. 118.25Matthew 21.9;Mark 11.9;John 12.13.
• 6. 118.26Matthew 21.9; 23.39;Mark 11.9;Luke 13.35; 19.38;John 12.13.

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.