Psalms 118:19-29

19 Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous will enter through it.

21 I will give thanks to You because You have answered me and have become my salvation.

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.^[a]

23 This came from the Lord; it is wonderful in our eyes.^[b]

24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Lord, save us! Lord, please grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.^[c] From the house of the Lord we bless you.

27 The Lord is God and has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give You thanks. [You are] my God; I will exalt You.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.

Psalms 118:19-29 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lk 20:17; Ac 4:11; 1 Pt 2:4,7
• [b]. Mt 21:42; Mk 12:11
• [c]. Mt 21:9; Mk 11:9-10; Lk 13:35; Jn 12:13