Psalms 118:17-27

17 gimel retribue servo tuo vivifica me et custodiam sermones tuos

18 revela oculos meos et considerabo mirabilia de lege tua

19 incola ego sum in terra non abscondas a me mandata tua

20 concupivit anima mea desiderare iustificationes tuas in omni tempore

21 increpasti superbos maledicti qui declinant a mandatis tuis

22 aufer a me obprobrium et contemptum quia testimonia tua exquisivi

23 etenim sederunt principes et adversum me loquebantur servus autem tuus exercebatur in iustificationibus tuis

24 nam et testimonia tua meditatio mea et consilium meum iustificationes tuae

25 deleth adhesit pavimento anima mea vivifica me secundum verbum tuum

26 vias meas enuntiavi et exaudisti me doce me iustificationes tuas

27 viam iustificationum tuarum instrue me et exercebor in mirabilibus tuis

Psalms 118:17-27 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.