Psalms 118: A Song of Thanksgiving and Triumph
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 118, the final song in the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), resonates with praise and thanksgiving. These psalms were often sung during Jewish festivals, including Passover (Deuteronomy 16:16), and Psalms 118, in particular, finds frequent echoes in the New Testament. It's a powerful declaration of God's steadfast love, His deliverance, and the ultimate triumph of His chosen one. Some scholars suggest the psalm was written after the exile, during the restoration of the temple (Ezra 2:1; 3:1–2, 8). Regardless of its specific historical context, its themes of deliverance and praise are timeless.
A Call to Praise (Psalms 118:1-4)
The psalm opens with an emphatic call to give thanks to the Lord: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalms 118:1). This isn't a one-time expression of gratitude, but a continuous attitude of the heart. The call extends to all of God's people: Israel, the priestly line of Aaron (Exodus 7:2; 30:30), and "those who fear the Lord" (Psalms 118:2-4), meaning all who reverently honor and worship Him (Proverbs 1:7; Psalms 34:9). The repetition of "His love endures forever" emphasizes the unwavering, covenantal love (Hebrew hesed) that God has for those who are under His covenant covering. Hesed speaks of ongoing, steady, merciful, and forgiving love (Exodus 34:6).
Trusting God in Times of Trouble (Psalms 118:5-9)
The psalmist recounts a time of personal distress and God's subsequent deliverance: "When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place" (Psalms 118:5). Because God is our helper, we have no need to fear what mere mortals can do to us (Psalms 118:6). As Paul asks in Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" The psalmist urges us not to place our trust in humanity, but to take refuge in God (Psalms 118:8-9). When God is your helper, those who hate you do not have ultimate power over you (Psalms 118:7).
Victory Through God's Strength (Psalms 118:10-18)
Even when surrounded by enemies, outnumbered and seemingly outmatched, the psalmist declares victory: "I destroyed them!" (Psalms 118:10-12). This victory isn't attributed to personal strength or strategy, but to the Lord: "The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation" (Psalms 118:14). The psalm echoes the victory song of God's deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:2). Even though the nation might face harsh discipline for their sins (Jeremiah 25:8–9), they will never be destroyed. The psalmist proclaims, "I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done" (Psalms 118:17).
Entering God's Presence with Thanksgiving (Psalms 118:19-24)
The psalmist expresses a desire to enter the gates of the temple and give thanks to God for His salvation (Psalms 118:19-21). This is a call to public acknowledgement and glorification of God so that others may be encouraged to trust Him. How do we respond to answered prayer? Do we give vocal acknowledgement to God and glorify him so that others may be encouraged to trust him? Or, do we take his blessings and provision for granted?
The Rejected Cornerstone (Psalms 118:22-29)
One of the most significant passages in Psalms 118 is the imagery of the rejected cornerstone: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Psalms 118:22). This verse is quoted extensively in the New Testament (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7) and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah, sent by God to His people, but rejected by the religious leaders. Yet, God vindicated Him, raising Him from the dead to be the Lord of all. Those with eyes of faith recognize this as wondrous (Psalms 118:23). He is the "blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord" (Psalms 118:26), a phrase echoed during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38; John 12:13).
The psalm concludes as it began, with a call to give thanks and exalt God for His faithful love (Psalms 118:28-29). This divine, covenant-based love is exactly what we need, and it endures forever.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms 118, the final song in the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), resonates with praise and thanksgiving. These psalms were often sung during Jewish festivals, including Passover (Deuteronomy 16:16), and Psalms 118, in particular, finds frequent echoes in the New Testament. It's a powerful declaration of God's steadfast love, His deliverance, and the ultimate triumph of His chosen one. Some scholars suggest the psalm was written after the exile, during the restoration of the temple (Ezra 2:1; 3:1–2, 8). Regardless of its specific historical context, its themes of deliverance and praise are timeless.
A Call to Praise (Psalms 118:1-4)
The psalm opens with an emphatic call to give thanks to the Lord: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalms 118:1). This isn't a one-time expression of gratitude, but a continuous attitude of the heart. The call extends to all of God's people: Israel, the priestly line of Aaron (Exodus 7:2; 30:30), and "those who fear the Lord" (Psalms 118:2-4), meaning all who reverently honor and worship Him (Proverbs 1:7; Psalms 34:9). The repetition of "His love endures forever" emphasizes the unwavering, covenantal love (Hebrew hesed) that God has for those who are under His covenant covering. Hesed speaks of ongoing, steady, merciful, and forgiving love (Exodus 34:6).
Trusting God in Times of Trouble (Psalms 118:5-9)
The psalmist recounts a time of personal distress and God's subsequent deliverance: "When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place" (Psalms 118:5). Because God is our helper, we have no need to fear what mere mortals can do to us (Psalms 118:6). As Paul asks in Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" The psalmist urges us not to place our trust in humanity, but to take refuge in God (Psalms 118:8-9). When God is your helper, those who hate you do not have ultimate power over you (Psalms 118:7).
Victory Through God's Strength (Psalms 118:10-18)
Even when surrounded by enemies, outnumbered and seemingly outmatched, the psalmist declares victory: "I destroyed them!" (Psalms 118:10-12). This victory isn't attributed to personal strength or strategy, but to the Lord: "The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation" (Psalms 118:14). The psalm echoes the victory song of God's deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:2). Even though the nation might face harsh discipline for their sins (Jeremiah 25:8–9), they will never be destroyed. The psalmist proclaims, "I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done" (Psalms 118:17).
Entering God's Presence with Thanksgiving (Psalms 118:19-24)
The psalmist expresses a desire to enter the gates of the temple and give thanks to God for His salvation (Psalms 118:19-21). This is a call to public acknowledgement and glorification of God so that others may be encouraged to trust Him. How do we respond to answered prayer? Do we give vocal acknowledgement to God and glorify him so that others may be encouraged to trust him? Or, do we take his blessings and provision for granted?
The Rejected Cornerstone (Psalms 118:22-29)
One of the most significant passages in Psalms 118 is the imagery of the rejected cornerstone: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Psalms 118:22). This verse is quoted extensively in the New Testament (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7) and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah, sent by God to His people, but rejected by the religious leaders. Yet, God vindicated Him, raising Him from the dead to be the Lord of all. Those with eyes of faith recognize this as wondrous (Psalms 118:23). He is the "blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord" (Psalms 118:26), a phrase echoed during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38; John 12:13).
The psalm concludes as it began, with a call to give thanks and exalt God for His faithful love (Psalms 118:28-29). This divine, covenant-based love is exactly what we need, and it endures forever.