Psalms118

Psalm 118 opens with a universal call to give thanks to the LORD for His enduring mercy. The psalmist recounts a personal experience of distress from which the LORD delivered him, affirming that it is better to trust in God than in man or princes. This divine intervention leads to a declaration of the LORD as strength and salvation, and a resolve to live and declare His works. The chapter culminates in praise, acknowledging a rejected stone becoming the cornerstone, and proclaiming a day of rejoicing made by the LORD.

Call to Universal Thanksgiving

Give thanks to ADONAI; for he is good, for his grace continues forever.

Now let Isra'el say, "His grace continues forever."

Now let the house of Aharon say, "His grace continues forever."

Now let those who fear ADONAI say, "His grace continues forever."

Testimony of Deliverance and Trust

From my being hemmed in I called on Yah; he answered and gave me more room.

With ADONAI on my side, I fear nothing -what can human beings do to me?

With ADONAI on my side as my help, I will look with triumph at those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in ADONAI than to trust in human beings;

better to take refuge in ADONAI than to put one's trust in princes.

The nations all surrounded me; in the name of ADONAI I cut them down.

They surrounded me on every side in the name of ADONAI I cut them down.

They surrounded me like bees but were extinguished [as quickly] as a fire in thorns; in the name of ADONAI I cut them down.

You pushed me hard to make me fall, but ADONAI helped me.

Yah is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.

The Triumph of the Lord’s Power

The sound of rejoicing and victory is heard in the tents of the righteous: "ADONAI's right hand struck powerfully!

ADONAI's right hand is raised in triumph! ADONAI's right hand struck powerfully!"

I will not die; no, I will live and proclaim the great deeds of Yah!

Yah disciplined me severely, but did not hand me over to death.

Entering the Gates of Salvation

Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter them and thank Yah.

This is the gate of ADONAI; the righteous can enter it.

I am thanking you because you answered me; you became my salvation.

The very rock that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!

This has come from ADONAI, and in our eyes it is amazing.

This is the day ADONAI has made, a day for us to rejoice and be glad.

Please, ADONAI! Save us! Please, ADONAI! Rescue us!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI. We bless you from the house of ADONAI.

ADONAI is God, and he gives us light. Join in the pilgrim festival with branches all the way to the horns of the altar.

Final Vow and Doxology

You are my God, and I thank you. You are my God; I exalt you.

Give thanks to ADONAI; for he is good, for his grace continues forever.

Study Notes for Psalms 118

Verse 1

Psalm 118 concludes the Egyptian Hallel (Pss. 113–118), traditionally sung during Passover. The opening refrain emphasizes God’s *hesed* (covenant love or enduring mercy), which is the foundation for all praise.

Verse 2

The comprehensive call to Israel, the priests (House of Aaron, v. 3), and all 'who fear the LORD' (v. 4) suggests a universal, liturgical setting for this declaration of praise.

Verse 5

The Psalmist recounts his personal crisis, praying from a place of 'distress.' God’s answer brought him into a 'large place,' a metaphor for freedom, security, and relief from restriction.

Verse 6

This verse is a classic statement of defiant faith, emphasizing that the presence of the Lord negates the power or threat of any human adversary. Paul later echoes this theme in Romans 8:31.

Verse 8

These verses serve as a central maxim of biblical wisdom. The Psalmist contrasts the futility of relying on mortal man (v. 8) or powerful rulers (v. 9) with the eternal reliability of trusting God.

Verse 12

The enemies are compared to 'bees'—numerous and aggressively swarming—but their power is temporary, extinguished quickly like the crackling, short-lived 'fire of thorns.'

Verse 14

This declaration is nearly identical to Exodus 15:2 (the Song of Moses), linking the Psalmist’s individual deliverance directly to God’s epic salvation history during the Exodus.

Verse 15

The 'tabernacles' refer to the dwellings of the righteous, indicating that the joy and sound of salvation are not confined to the Temple but permeate everyday life. The 'right hand of the LORD' symbolizes God’s active power.

Verse 17

This is a vow of commitment: the life preserved by God must now be used to 'declare the works of the LORD,' fulfilling the purpose of salvation.

Verse 18

The Psalmist acknowledges that the distress he experienced was not random misfortune but divine chastening (discipline) intended to correct and refine, not to destroy.

Verse 19

Having survived his ordeal, the Psalmist approaches the Temple gates ('gates of righteousness') to fulfill his vow of praise and offer thanksgiving.

Verse 22

This verse is highly significant, describing the vindication of a rejected figure. It is the most frequently quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament, applied by Jesus and the Apostles to Christ’s resurrection and role as the foundation of the Church (Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11).

Verse 24

Based on the context of v. 22-23 (God’s marvelous work of vindication), 'this day' refers to the specific day of decisive divine intervention and victory which is now celebrated liturgically.

Verse 25

The Hebrew phrase *Hoshia-na* ('Save now!') is the source of the term 'Hosanna,' a joyous acclamation and plea for immediate deliverance, shouted during the celebration.

Verse 26

This is the traditional priestly blessing pronounced upon the worshipper entering the sanctuary. It was famously used by the crowd welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem, recognizing him as the promised King arriving 'in the name of the LORD.'

Verse 27

God is the source of 'light' (favor and guidance). The instruction to 'bind the sacrifice' refers to the liturgical preparation of the offering, tying the victim to the horns of the altar before its slaughter.

Verse 28

The psalm concludes with a deeply personal declaration, moving from the communal liturgy back to an intimate, singular commitment of praise to God.

Verse 29

This verse repeats the opening doxology (v. 1), providing a powerful, cyclical conclusion that affirms the eternal nature of God’s covenant mercy.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Psalms118

Call to Universal Thanksgiving

Testimony of Deliverance and Trust

The Triumph of the Lord’s Power

Entering the Gates of Salvation

Final Vow and Doxology

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options