Psalms 118:5-9

5 From my ¹distress I called upon the LORD; The LORD answered me and ²set me in a large place.

6 The LORD is ³for me; I will ⁴not fear; ⁵What can man do to me?

7 The LORD is for me ⁶among those who help me; Therefore I will ⁷look with satisfaction on those who hate me.

8 It is ⁸better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man.

9 It is ⁹better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.

Psalms 118:5-9 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 18:6; Psalms 86:7; Psalms 120:1
• 2. Psalms 18:19
• 3. Job 19:27; Psalms 56:9; Hebrews 13:6
• 4. Psalms 23:4; Psalms 27:1
• 5. Psalms 56:4, 11
• 6. Psalms 54:4
• 7. Psalms 54:7; Psalms 59:10
• 8. 2 Chronicles 32:7, 8; Psalms 40:4; Psalms 108:12; Isaiah 31:1, 3; Isaiah 57:13; Jeremiah 17:5
• 9. Psalms 146:3

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb YAH
• [b]. Heb YAH