Psalms 118:21

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

I will praise {H3034} thee: for thou hast heard {H6030} me, and art become my salvation {H3444}.

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

I will give You thanks, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.

I will give thanks unto thee; for thou hast answered me, And art become my salvation.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 118:21

Psalm 118 is a powerful psalm of thanksgiving, part of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during Passover and other Jewish festivals. It is a triumphant declaration of God's enduring mercy and faithfulness, often reflecting a national or personal experience of deliverance from great distress. The psalmist has clearly faced a formidable challenge, cried out to the Lord, and experienced His miraculous intervention. Verse 21 comes immediately after the psalmist has acknowledged the Lord as his strength and song, having been heard and delivered from affliction. It embodies the joyful culmination of a journey from peril to praise, echoing the theme of God's steadfast love that endures forever, which frames the entire psalm.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Heartfelt Thanksgiving and Praise: The opening phrase, "I will praise thee," is a direct and personal commitment to worship God. It's not a mere formality but a spontaneous overflow of gratitude for a tangible experience of divine help. This verse highlights praise as the natural and appropriate response to God's goodness.
  • Divine Responsiveness: "For thou hast heard me" emphasizes God's attentiveness to prayer. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not distant or indifferent but actively listens to the cries of His people. This theme reassures believers that their prayers are not in vain, but reach the ears of the Almighty, as seen in Psalm 4:3.
  • God as Salvation: The profound statement, "and art become my salvation," reveals that God is not just the *source* of salvation, but He *is* salvation itself. This means deliverance, rescue, victory, and well-being are found in His very being and actions. This concept is central to the Old Testament understanding of God as the Great Deliverer and powerfully anticipates the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ, whose very name (Yeshua) means 'Yahweh is salvation'.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "salvation" here is yeshu'ah (ื™ึฐืฉืื•ึผืขึธื”), which carries a rich meaning encompassing deliverance, help, victory, and prosperity. It is a comprehensive term for God's saving acts. The psalmist declares that God Himself has embodied this saving power in his life. The phrase "art become my salvation" suggests a transformation or a realized state where God's saving power is no longer a distant hope but a present reality experienced by the psalmist.

Practical Application

Psalms 118:21 serves as a timeless reminder and encouragement for believers today:

  • Cultivate a Spirit of Gratitude: Like the psalmist, we are called to acknowledge and praise God for His interventions in our lives, whether big or small. This verse encourages us to look back at answered prayers and deliverance with a heart full of thanks.
  • Trust in God's Listening Ear: It reaffirms that God hears our prayers, even when we feel overwhelmed or unheard. This should bolster our confidence to approach Him in times of need.
  • Recognize God as Our Ultimate Source: This verse teaches us to depend on God alone for our deliverance and well-being. He is not merely a helper, but the very essence of our salvation. When we face challenges, we can declare with the psalmist that God Himself is our rescuer and victory.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 116:1 (8 votes)

    ยถ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications.

  • Exodus 15:2 (5 votes)

    The LORD [is] my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he [is] my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

  • Isaiah 12:2 (4 votes)

    Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.

  • Psalms 118:14 (4 votes)

    The LORD [is] my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

  • Isaiah 49:8 (4 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

  • Psalms 22:23 (2 votes)

    Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

  • Psalms 22:24 (2 votes)

    For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.