Psalms 118

1 O give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy is unchanging for ever.

2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy is unchanging for ever.

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy is unchanging for ever.

4 Let all worshippers of the Lord now say, that his mercy is unchanging for ever.

5 I made my prayer to the Lord in my trouble: and the Lord gave me an answer, and put me in a wide place.

6 The Lord is on my side; I will have no fear: what is man able to do to me?

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.

18 The hand of Jah has been hard on me; but he has not given me up to death.

19 Let the doors of righteousness be open to me; I will go in and give praise to the Lord.

20 This is the door of the Lord's house; the workers of righteousness will go in through it.

21 I will give you praise, for you have given me an answer, and have become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders put on one side has become the chief stone of the building.

23 This is the Lord's doing; it is a wonder in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the Lord has made; we will be full of joy and delight in it.

25 Send salvation now, O Lord; Lord, send us your blessing.

26 A blessing be on him who comes in the name of the Lord; we give you blessing from the house of the Lord.

27 The Lord is God, and he has given us light; let the holy dance be ordered with branches, even up to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give you praise; my God, and I will give honour to your name.

29 O give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy is unchanging for ever.

PREVIOUS Psalms 117 NEXT Psalms 119

Images for Psalms 118

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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible