The Bible: Psalms Chapter 118: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 118

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

2 Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

3 Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

4 Now let those who fear the LORD say that his loving kindness endures forever.

5 Out of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom.

6 The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

7 The LORD is on my side amongst those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes.

10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the LORD's name, I cut them off.

11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In the LORD's name I indeed cut them off.

12 They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In the LORD's name I cut them off.

13 You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but the LORD helped me.

14 The LORD is my strength and song. 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.

16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"

17 I will not die, but live, and declare the LORD's works.

18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter into it.

21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

23 This is the LORD's doing. It is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!

25 Save us now, we beg you, LORD! LORD, we beg you, send prosperity now.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the LORD's name! We have blessed you out of the LORD's house.

27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you.

29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

Footnotes

Verse 22 (cornerstone)
Literally, head of the corner

Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 118 Guide

This is the sixth and last of the Hallel. It is the song of perfect victory, and was undoubtedly arranged to be sung by the triumphal procession as it made its way to the Temple for thanksgiving and worship. It is almost impossible however to trace its divisions in that way. As to its subject-matter it may be thus divided:

  1. Introduction. The Call to Praise (vv. Psalms 118:1-4).
  2. The threefold Song of Israel, of Aaron, of the People (vv. Psalms 118:5-27).
  3. Conclusion (vv. Psalms 118:28-29).

The call is to praise specifically for Jehovah’s enduring mercy. It is addressed to Israel as the ideal servant; to the house of Aaron as the priesthood; to all that fear the Lord. To this call Israel personified first replies in a song which sets forth the story of distress and deliverance which had characterised the history of the long years (vv. Psalms 118:5-18). The Aaron as the priest, who had the right to enter through all the gates, takes up the song, and challenges them to admit him, rejoicing in Jehovah’s exaltation of him (vv. Psalms 118:19-22). Then the people sing of the marvel of the Lord’s doings, and devote themselves to Him (vv. Psalms 118:23-27). Finally the psalmist strikes the note of personal thanksgiving ending with a call to praise. This is pre-eminently the triumph song of the Christ, He the ideal Servant, He the perfect Priest, He the Leader of the people. How much all these words meant to Him as He sang them on that night in the upper room.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 118 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. It is good to trust in the Lord. -- (1-18)
  2. 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. #(22, 23), may refer to David's preferment; but principally to 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.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.