Psalms 118:7-17

7 The Lord is my great helper: I will see my desire against my haters.

8 It is better to have faith in the Lord than to put one's hope in man.

9 It is better to have faith in the Lord than to put one's hope in rulers.

10 All the nations have come round me; but in the name of the Lord I will have them cut down.

11 They are round me, yes, they are all about me; but in the name of the Lord I will have them cut down.

12 They are round me like bees; but they are put out like a fire among thorns; for in the name of the Lord I will have them cut down.

13 I have been hard pushed by you, so that I might have a fall: but the Lord was my helper.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

15 The sound of joy and salvation is in the tents of the upright; the right hand of the Lord does works of power.

16 The right hand of the Lord is lifted up; the right hand of the Lord does works of power.

17 Life and not death will be my part, and I will give out the story of the works of the Lord.

Psalms 118:7-17 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.