Psalms 118:12-22

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; ¹ 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 ² turned out to be the most important of all.

Psalms 118:12-22 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. 118.14Exodus 15.2;Isaiah 12.2.
• 2. 118.22Luke 20.17;Acts 4.11; 1 P 2.7.+O+N118.22, 23Matthew 21.42;Mark 12.10, 11.