Psalms 118:9-19

9 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in celebrities.

10 Hemmed in by barbarians, in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;

11 Hemmed in and with no way out, in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;

12 Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in; in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.

13 I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed and held me.

14 God's my strength, he's also my song, and now he's my salvation.

15 Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs in the camp of the saved? "The hand of God has turned the tide!

16 The hand of God is raised in victory! The hand of God has turned the tide!"

17 I didn't die. I lived! And now I'm telling the world what God did.

18 God tested me, he pushed me hard, but he didn't hand me over to Death.

19 Swing wide the city gates - the righteous gates! I'll walk right through and thank God!

Psalms 118:9-19 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.