Tehillim 118

1 18 O give thanks unto Hashem; for He is tov; Ki l’olam chasdo (for His mercy endureth forever).

2 Let Yisroel now say, Ki l’olam chasdo.

3 Let the Bais Aharon now say, Ki l’olam chasdo.

4 Let them now that fear Hashem say, Ki l’olam chasdo,

5 I called upon Hashem in distress; Hashem answered me, and set me in a broad place.

6 Hashem is on my side; I will not fear; what can adam do unto me?

7 Hashem taketh my part through them that help me; therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

8 It is better to trust in Hashem than to put confidence in adam.

9 It is better to trust in Hashem than to put confidence in nedivim (nobles).

10 All Goyim surrounded me; but in the Shem Hashem will I cut them off.

11 They surrounded me; yes, they compassed me about; but in the Shem Hashem I will cut them off.

12 They compassed me about like devorim (bees); they are extinguished like the eish of kotzim (thorns); for in the Shem Hashem I will cut them off.

13 Thou hast hard pushed at me that I fell; but Hashem helped me.

14 Hashem is my oz (strength) and zimrah (song), and He is become my Yeshuah (salvation).

15 The voice of rejoicing and Yeshuah (salvation) is in the ohalim of the tzaddikim; the Yamin Hashem doeth valiantly.

16 The Yamin Hashem is exalted; the Yamin Hashem doeth valiantly.

17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the ma’asim (works) of Hashem.

18 Hashem hath hard chastened me severely; but He hath not given me over unto mavet (death).

19 Open to me the sha’arei tzedek; I will go through them, and I will praise Hashem;

20 This is the sha’ar of Hashem, into which the tzaddikim shall enter.

21 I will praise Thee; for Thou hast heard me, and art become my Yeshuah (salvation).

22 The Even (Stone) which the Bonim (Builders) rejected [mem-alef-samech, see same word Psalm 89:38 (39)] has become the Rosh Pinnah (Cornerstone).

23 This is Hashem’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the yom which Hashem hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save now, we beseech Thee, Hashem; Hashem, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.

26 Baruch habah b’Shem Hashem; we have blessed you from the Beis Hashem.

27 Hashem is G-d, Who hath showed us light; bind the chag (festival offering) with cords, even until [you come to] the karnot of the Mizbe’ach.

28 Thou art my G-d, and I will praise Thee; Thou art Elohai, I will exalt Thee.

29 O give thanks unto Hashem; for He is tov; ki l’olam chasdo (for His mercy endureth forever). [T.N. A ma’amin b’Moshiach will carry Scripture with him at all times, as the following Psalm teaches.]

Tehillim 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.