Psalms 118:5-15

5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place.

6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.

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

10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.

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

12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them down.

13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.

14 The LORD is my strength and my defense^[a] ; he has become my salvation.

15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!

Psalms 118:5-15 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 31:7; Psalms 77:2; Psalms 120:1
• 2. ver 21; Psalms 34:4; Psalms 86:7; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 138:3; Psalms 18:19
• 3. S Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:6*
• 4. S Psalms 27:1; Psalms 56:4
• 5. S Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalms 54:4
• 6. S Psalms 54:7; Psalms 59:10
• 7. Psalms 2:12; Psalms 5:11; Psalms 9:9; Psalms 37:3; Psalms 40:4; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 57:13
• 8. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8; S Psalms 108:12; S Isaiah 2:22; Jeremiah 17:5
• 9. Psalms 146:3
• 10. S Psalms 37:9; Psalms 18:40
• 11. Psalms 88:17
• 12. Psalms 3:6
• 13. Deuteronomy 1:44
• 14. S Psalms 58:9
• 15. Psalms 37:9
• 16. ver 7; 2 Chronicles 18:31; Psalms 86:17">Psalms 86:17; Psalms 86:17">Psalms 86:17; Psalms 140:4
• 17. S Exodus 15:2
• 18. S Psalms 62:2; Isaiah 12:2
• 19. S Job 8:21; S Psalms 106:5; Psalms 68:3
• 20. S Exodus 15:6; Psalms 89:13; Psalms 108:6
• 21. Luke 1:51

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "song"