Psalms 118:5-15

5 I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.

6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

7 The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

11 They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

12 They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me.

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

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

Psalms 118:5-15 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Compare Exodus 15:2