Psalms 118:27

KJV

God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar.

KJV (with Strong's)

God {H410} is the LORD {H3068}, which hath shewed us light {H215}: bind {H631} the sacrifice {H2282} with cords {H5688}, even unto the horns {H7161} of the altar {H4196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

American Standard Version

Jehovah is God, and he hath given us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 118:27 stands as a profound declaration within a psalm of thanksgiving, articulating the divine initiative of God's illuminating grace and the corresponding human imperative for consecrated worship. It beautifully intertwines the concept of God as the source of light and salvation with the call to a complete and dedicated offering, symbolizing a life bound in gratitude and devotion to the Lord who delivers and reveals Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 118 is the final psalm of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), a collection traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, most notably Passover. It is a triumphant song of thanksgiving, celebrating God's enduring lovingkindness and faithfulness in delivering His people from distress. The psalm opens with a universal call to praise God for His steadfast love, then recounts the psalmist's personal experience of deliverance, transitioning into a communal declaration of trust in the Lord. Verse 27 immediately follows a series of exclamations about God's goodness and His role as the source of salvation and light, building upon the declaration in [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Rejected Cornerstone"), which famously speaks of the "stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner"—a verse widely understood to be a messianic prophecy. Thus, verse 27 serves as a climactic response to God's revealed salvation and presence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse is deeply rooted in ancient Israelite worship practices and the sacrificial system outlined in the Mosaic Law. The act of "binding the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar" refers directly to the Temple rituals where animals designated for offering (like peace offerings or thanksgiving offerings) were secured before immolation. The "horns of the altar" were prominent, sacred projections at the four corners of the altar of burnt offering, symbolizing strength, refuge, and the focal point of atonement (e.g., blood was applied to them on the Day of Atonement as described in [Leviticus 16:18](/leviticus/16-18 "Leviticus 16:18 - Atonement for the Altar")). The entire scene evokes a solemn, deliberate, and complete act of dedication and communion with God, performed within the sacred space of the tabernacle or temple, particularly relevant during festivals like Passover, which commemorated God's deliverance.

* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several pivotal themes. Firstly, **Divine Illumination and Guidance** is central, as "God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light" (Hebrew: *'or*). This "light" signifies not merely physical illumination but divine favor, salvation, truth, understanding, and joy, contrasting with the darkness of chaos, sin, or distress. It speaks to God's active revelation of Himself and His deliverance, echoing sentiments found in [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation"). Secondly, **Consecration and Willing Sacrifice** is powerfully conveyed by the command to "bind the sacrifice." This imagery points to a complete, unreserved, and prepared offering of thanksgiving or devotion, willingly brought to the sacred place of divine encounter. The act of binding ensures the sacrifice cannot escape, symbolizing the worshiper's firm commitment. Thirdly, the verse highlights **Gratitude and Response to Deliverance**. It posits a direct relationship between God's benevolent action ("shewed us light") and the appropriate human response ("bind the sacrifice"), implying that having received God's profound light and salvation, the natural and expected response is one of heartfelt worship and dedicated self-offering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** The capitalized "LORD" in the KJV translates the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, the personal covenant name of God, often pronounced Yahweh. This emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His unique relationship with Israel. It highlights that the "God" who shows light is not a generic deity but the specific, relational God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
* **light (Hebrew, _'or'_):** Beyond mere physical illumination, *'or* in biblical contexts profoundly signifies divine favor, salvation, truth, understanding, and joy. It represents God's presence dispelling darkness (chaos, sin, ignorance, distress) and guiding His people. Here, it speaks of God's active revelation and deliverance, making paths clear and bringing life.
* **sacrifice (Hebrew, _zebach'_):** This term refers to an animal offering, often a "peace offering" or "thanksgiving offering" (from the root *zabach*, "to slaughter for sacrifice"). Unlike sin offerings, these were typically voluntary expressions of gratitude or vows, often involving a communal meal shared with God and fellow worshipers, symbolizing communion and joyful gratitude for deliverance or blessings received.
* **horns of the altar (Hebrew, _qarnot ha-mizbeakh'_):** These were the four projections at the corners of the altar of burnt offering. They were highly sacred, serving as points where sacrificial blood was applied for atonement, and where those seeking refuge might cling (e.g., [1 Kings 1:50](/1_kings/1-50 "1 Kings 1:50 - Adonijah seeks refuge at the altar")). Binding a sacrifice to the horns signified a complete, irrevocable dedication of the offering to God, securing it to the very heart of the atoning and worshipful encounter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us light":** This opening clause declares God's identity and action. "God" (Elohim) is identified as "the LORD" (Yahweh), emphasizing His power and covenant faithfulness. The phrase "hath shewed us light" signifies God's active, benevolent intervention, illuminating the path for His people. This "light" encompasses salvation, guidance, truth, and deliverance from darkness (distress, ignorance, sin). It is a declaration of divine revelation and saving grace.
* **"bind the sacrifice with cords":** This is an imperative, a direct command or exhortation to the worshiper. "Bind the sacrifice" refers to the literal act of securing an animal offering, ensuring it is firmly held and cannot escape, symbolizing a deliberate, firm, and unreserved commitment to the offering. It implies a willing and prepared dedication, not a reluctant or partial one.
* **"[even] unto the horns of the altar":** This specifies the ultimate destination and sacred context of the sacrifice. The "horns of the altar" were the most sacred points of the altar, symbolizing strength, divine presence, and the place where atonement was made. Binding the sacrifice here signifies its complete consecration, its irrevocable dedication to God, and its placement at the very heart of the worship and atonement process.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 118:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Metaphor** is central, particularly in the use of "light" to represent divine favor, salvation, truth, and guidance. This abstract concept is made tangible, illustrating God's active presence dispelling spiritual or existential darkness. **Imagery** is vividly employed, painting a clear picture of an animal being bound with cords and secured to the horns of a sacrificial altar. This concrete image evokes the ancient Israelite worship experience, making the abstract concept of dedication palpable. The phrase "bind the sacrifice" is an **Imperative Mood**, functioning as a direct command or exhortation, urging the worshiper to an active response. Furthermore, there is an implied **Cause-and-Effect** or **Juxtaposition** between the two halves of the verse: because God has shown His light (cause), the appropriate human response is to offer a complete sacrifice (effect). This highlights the reciprocal nature of the divine-human relationship, where God's grace elicits a dedicated response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 118:27 beautifully encapsulates the theological principle that divine revelation and salvation elicit a profound human response of worship and dedication. God's initiative in "shewing us light" – His active intervention to guide, save, and reveal truth – is the foundational act of grace. In response to this light, humanity is called to "bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." This is not merely a ritualistic act but a call to complete consecration, symbolizing a life wholly given over to God in gratitude. It teaches that true worship is a deliberate, unreserved offering of oneself, recognizing God's sovereignty and His unwavering faithfulness. This verse bridges the Old Testament understanding of sacrifice as a means of communion and thanksgiving with the broader theological concept of a life lived in responsive devotion to a gracious God.

* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Sacrifice of Praise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalm 118:27 offers profound spiritual insights. We are called to first acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all true light—guidance, truth, salvation, and understanding in our lives. Just as God illuminated the path for ancient Israel, He continues to reveal Himself and His will to us, dispelling the darkness of confusion, sin, and despair. Having received this divine light, our natural and expected response is one of heartfelt gratitude and complete dedication. The imagery of "binding the sacrifice" metaphorically urges us to offer our entire lives—our bodies, minds, talents, resources, and wills—as a "living sacrifice" to God. This means intentionally and unreservedly committing ourselves to His purposes, allowing no part of our being to escape His divine claim. It is a call to a life of worship that is not merely ritualistic but deeply personal, characterized by a firm, unwavering commitment to God, rooted in the recognition of His saving grace and illuminating presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways has God "shewed you light" in your life, guiding you or revealing truth?**
* **What does it mean for you to "bind the sacrifice with cords" in a practical, daily sense?**
* **How can you ensure your devotion and worship are a "complete" offering, bound "unto the horns of the altar," rather than a partial or reluctant one?**
* **How does understanding God as the source of light influence your trust and dependence on Him in times of uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "light" in this verse?**

Answer: In Psalm 118:27, "light" (Hebrew: *'or*) is a rich biblical metaphor that extends far beyond mere physical illumination. It signifies divine favor, salvation, truth, guidance, understanding, and joy. When the psalmist declares that "God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light," it means that God has actively intervened to bring salvation, reveal His truth, guide His people through darkness (representing distress, ignorance, or sin), and establish His presence. It speaks to God's benevolent action in dispelling chaos and bringing clarity and life, echoing themes found throughout [the Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms").

**Why are sacrifices "bound with cords" in this context?**

Answer: The act of "binding the sacrifice with cords" refers to the ancient Israelite practice of securing an animal offering before it was presented at the altar. This ensured the animal was firmly held and could not escape, symbolizing a deliberate, firm, and unreserved commitment to the offering. Metaphorically, for the worshiper, it represents a willing and complete dedication of oneself or one's offering to God. It underscores that the sacrifice is not accidental or reluctant, but a conscious, intentional act of devotion, fully prepared and presented to the Lord.

**What do the "horns of the altar" represent?**

Answer: The "horns of the altar" were the four prominent, sacred projections at each corner of the altar of burnt offering in the tabernacle and later the Temple. They were highly significant in Israelite worship. Blood from sacrifices was applied to them as part of the atonement process (e.g., [Leviticus 4:7](/leviticus/4-7 "Leviticus 4:7 - Blood on the Altar Horns")). They also served as a place of refuge where individuals seeking asylum might cling (e.g., [1 Kings 1:50](/1_kings/1-50 "1 Kings 1:50 - Adonijah seeks refuge at the altar")). Binding a sacrifice "unto the horns of the altar" therefore signifies its complete and irrevocable consecration to God, placing it at the very heart of the sacred space, symbolizing ultimate dedication and the focal point of atonement and communion with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 118:27 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "light" that God has shown us, as declared in [John 1:9](/john/1-9 "John 1:9 - Jesus, the True Light"), where He is identified as "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Jesus illuminates the path to salvation, reveals the Father's truth, and dispels the spiritual darkness of sin and death. Furthermore, Jesus is the perfect and ultimate "sacrifice" to which all Old Testament animal offerings pointed. He willingly allowed Himself to be "bound with cords" – not literally to an earthly altar, but metaphorically bound by divine love and obedience to the Father's will, leading to His crucifixion. He was the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His self-offering was the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice, presented "unto the horns of the altar" not of stone, but of God's heavenly presence, thereby making atonement for all humanity ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His finished work on the cross, we are given access to God, and our response to God's glorious light is to embrace this ultimate sacrifice and offer our lives as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, through Him ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 8:12

¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Psalms 18:28

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Esther 8:16

The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

Isaiah 9:2

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 60:1

¶ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

1 Kings 18:39

And when all the people saw [it], they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he [is] the God; the LORD, he [is] the God.