Psaume 118

1 Célébrez l'Éternel, car il est bon, car sa miséricorde dure éternellement!

2 Qu'Israël aussi dise que sa miséricorde dure éternellement.

3 Que la maison d'Aaron dise que sa miséricorde dure éternellement.

4 Que ceux qui craignent l'Éternel disent que sa miséricorde dure éternellement.

5 Du sein de la détresse, j'ai invoqué l'Éternel; et l'Éternel m'a exaucé, et m'a mis au large.

6 L'Éternel est pour moi, je ne craindrai point; que me ferait l'homme?

7 L'Éternel est pour moi parmi ceux qui m'aident; et je regarderai sans crainte ceux qui me haïssent.

8 Mieux vaut se retirer vers l'Éternel que de s'assurer en l'homme.

9 Mieux vaut se retirer vers l'Éternel que de s'appuyer sur les grands.

10 Toutes les nations m'avaient environné; mais au nom de l'Éternel je les mets en pièces.

11 Elles m'avaient environné, oui, elles m'avaient environné; mais au nom de l'Éternel je les mets en pièces.

12 Elles m'avaient environné comme des abeilles; elles ont été éteintes comme un feu d'épines; car au nom de l'Éternel je les mets en pièces.

13 Tu m'avais rudement poussé pour me faire tomber, mais l'Éternel m'a secouru.

14 L'Éternel est ma force et mon cantique; il a été mon libérateur.

15 Une voix de chant de triomphe retentit dans les tentes des justes: La droite de l'Éternel fait vertu!

16 La droite de l'Éternel est haut élevée; la droite de l'Éternel fait vertu!

17 Je ne mourrai point, mais je vivrai, et je raconterai les œuvres de l'Éternel.

18 L'Éternel m'a châtié sévèrement, mais il ne m'a pas livré à la mort.

19 Ouvrez-moi les portes de la justice; j'y entrerai et je célébrerai l'Éternel.

20 C'est ici la porte de l'Éternel, les justes y entreront.

21 Je te célébrerai, car tu m'as exaucé, et tu as été mon libérateur.

22 La pierre que ceux qui bâtissaient ont rejetée, est devenue la principale de l'angle.

23 Ceci a été fait par l'Éternel, et c'est une merveille devant nos yeux.

24 C'est ici la journée que l'Éternel a faite; égayons-nous et nous réjouissons en elle!

25 O Éternel, donne le salut! O Éternel, donne la prospérité!

26 Béni soit celui qui vient au nom de l'Éternel! Nous vous bénissons, de la maison de l'Éternel.

27 L'Éternel est Dieu, et il nous a éclairés; liez avec des cordes la bête du sacrifice, et l'amenez jusqu'aux cornes de l'autel.

28 Tu es mon Dieu, je te célébrerai. Mon Dieu, je t'exalterai.

29 Louez l'Éternel, car il est bon, car sa miséricorde dure éternellement!

Psaume 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.