Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let now the house of Israel say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

3 Let now the house of Aaron say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

4 Let now all that fear the Lord say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

5 I called on the Lord out of affliction: and he hearkened to me, so as to bring me into a wide place.

6 The Lord is my helper; and I will not fear what man shall do to me.

7 The Lord is my helper; and I shall see my desire upon mine enemies.

8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man.

9 It is better to hope in the Lord, than to hope in princes.

10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.

11 They completely compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.

12 They compassed me about as bees do a honeycomb, and they burst into flame as fire among thorns: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.

13 I was thrust, and sorely shaken, that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation.

15 The voice of exultation and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord has wrought mightily.

16 The right hand of the Lord has exalted me: the right hand of the Lord has wrought powerfully.

17 I shall not die, but live, and recount the works of the Lord.

18 The Lord has chastened me sore: but he has not given me up to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and give praise to the Lord.

20 This is the gate of the Lord: the righteous shall enter by it.

21 I will give thanks to thee; because thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.

23 This has been done of the Lord; and it is wonderful in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the Lord has made: let us exult and rejoice in it.

25 O Lord, save now: O Lord, send now prosperity.

26 Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

27 God is the Lord, and he has shined upon us: celebrate the feast with thick branches, binding the victims even to the horns of the altar.

28 Thou art my God, and I will give thee thanks: thou art my God, and I will exalt thee. I will give thanks to thee, for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

29 Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

Psalm 118 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.