Psalms 118

1 Give ye thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; for his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.

2 Oh let Israel say, that his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.

3 Oh let the house of Aaron say, that his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.

4 Oh let them that fear Jehovah say, that his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.

5 I called upon Jah in distress; Jah answered me [and set me] in a large place.

6 Jehovah is for me, I will not fear; what can man do unto me?

7 Jehovah is for me among them that help me; and I shall see [my desire] upon them that hate me.

8 It is better to trust in Jehovah than to put confidence in man;

9 It is better to trust in Jehovah than to put confidence in nobles.

10 All nations encompassed me; but in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.

11 They encompassed me, yea, encompassed me; but in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.

12 They encompassed me like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.

13 Thou hast thrust hard at me that I might fall; but Jehovah helped me.

14 My strength and song is Jah, and he is become my salvation.

15 The voice of triumph and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: the right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly;

16 The right hand of Jehovah is exalted, the right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.

17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of Jah.

18 Jah hath chastened me sore; but he hath not given me over unto death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter into them; Jah will I praise.

20 This is the gate of Jehovah: the righteous shall enter therein.

21 I will give thee thanks, for thou hast answered me, and art become my salvation.

22 [The] stone which the builders rejected hath become the head of the corner:

23 This is of Jehovah; it is wonderful in our eyes.

24 This is the day that Jehovah hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Oh save, Jehovah, I beseech thee; Jehovah, I beseech thee, oh send prosperity!

26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah. We have blessed you out of the house of Jehovah.

27 Jehovah is God, and he hath given us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, -- up to the horns of the altar.

28 Thou art my God, and I will give thee thanks; my God, I will exalt thee.

29 Give ye thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; for his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.

Psalms 118 Commentary

Chapter 118

It is good to trust in the Lord. (1-18) The coming of Christ in his kingdom. (19-29)

Verses 1-18 The account the psalmist here gives of his troubles is very applicable to Christ: many hated him without a cause; nay, the Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him, and put him to grief, that by his stripes we might be healed. God is sometimes the strength of his people, when he is not their song; they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God, or whether he looks forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant cause for joy and praise. Every answer to our prayers is an evidence that the Lord is on our side; and then we need not fear what man can do unto us; we should conscientiously do our duty to all, and trust in him alone to accept and bless us. Let us seek to live to declare the works of God, and to encourage others to serve him and trust in him. Such were the triumphs of the Son of David, in the assurance that the good pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand.

Verses 19-29 Those who saw Christ's day at so great a distance, saw cause to praise God for the prospect. The prophecy, ver. ( psalms 118:22-23 ) Christ. 1. His humiliation; he is the Stone which the builders refused: they would go on in their building without him. This proved the ruin of those who thus made light of him. Rejecters of Christ are rejected of God. 2. His exaltation; he is the chief Cornerstone in the foundation. He is the chief Top-stone, in whom the building is completed, who must, in all things, have the pre-eminence. Christ's name is Wonderful; and the redemption he wrought out is the most amazing of all God's wondrous works. We will rejoice and be glad in the Lord's day; not only that such a day is appointed, but in the occasion of it, Christ's becoming the Head. Sabbath days ought to be rejoicing days, then they are to us as the days of heaven. Let this Saviour be my Saviour, my Ruler. Let my soul prosper and be in health, in that peace and righteousness which his government brings. Let me have victory over the lusts that war against my soul; and let Divine grace subdue my heart. The duty which the Lord has made, brings light with it, true light. The duty this privilege calls for, is here set forth; the sacrifices we are to offer to God in gratitude for redeeming love, are ourselves; not to be slain upon the altar, but living sacrifices, to be bound to the altar; spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise, in which our hearts must be engaged. The psalmist praises God, and calls upon all about him to give thanks to God for the glad tidings of great joy to all people, that there is a Redeemer, even Christ the Lord. In him the covenant of grace is made sure and everlasting.

Footnotes

• [a]. See Ps. 115.9-13 and 1Chron. 16.41.
• [b]. Or 'mowed them down.'
• [c]. See Ex. 15.2; Isa. 12.2. For 'Jah' see Ps. 68.4; 89.8.
• [d]. Or 'give thanks,' as vers. 21,28,29; and so Ps. 139.14.
• [e]. i.e. the corner-stone.
• [f]. Or 'We bless.'
• [g]. Strictly, 'feast:' see Mal. 2.3.

Chapter Summary

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.