Psalms 118

1 Thank God because he's good, because his love never quits.

2 Tell the world, Israel, "His love never quits."

3 And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world, "His love never quits."

4 And you who fear God, join in, "His love never quits."

5 Pushed to the wall, I called to God; from the wide open spaces, he answered.

6 God's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me?

7 God's my strong champion; I flick off my enemies like flies.

8 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people;

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!

20 This Temple Gate belongs to God, so the victors can enter and praise.

21 Thank you for responding to me; you've truly become my salvation!

22 The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone!

23 This is God's work. We rub our eyes - we can hardly believe it!

24 This is the very day God acted - let's celebrate and be festive!

25 Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God - a free and full life!

26 Blessed are you who enter in God's name - from God's house we bless you!

27 God is God, he has bathed us in light. Festoon the shrine with garlands, hang colored banners above the altar!

28 You're my God, and I thank you. O my God, I lift high your praise.

29 Thank God - he's so good. His love never quits!

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.

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.