1 O give thanks H3034 unto the LORD; H3068 for he is good: H2896 because his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769
2 Let Israel H3478 now say, H559 that his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769
3 Let the house H1004 of Aaron H175 now say, H559 that his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769
4 Let them now that fear H3373 the LORD H3068 say, H559 that his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769
5 I called H7121 upon the LORD H3050 in distress: H4712 the LORD H3050 answered H6030 me, and set me in a large place. H4800
6 The LORD H3068 is on my side; I will not fear: H3372 what can H6213 man H120 do H6213 unto me?
7 The LORD H3068 taketh my part with them that help H5826 me: therefore shall I see H7200 my desire upon them that hate H8130 me.
8 It is better H2896 to trust H2620 in the LORD H3068 than to put confidence H982 in man. H120
9 It is better H2896 to trust H2620 in the LORD H3068 than to put confidence H982 in princes. H5081
10 All nations H1471 compassed me about: H5437 but in the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 will I destroy H4135 them.
11 They compassed me about; H5437 yea, they compassed me about: H5437 but in the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 I will destroy H4135 them.
12 They compassed me about H5437 like bees; H1682 they are quenched H1846 as the fire H784 of thorns: H6975 for in the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 I will destroy H4135 them.
13 Thou hast thrust H1760 sore H1760 at me that I might fall: H5307 but the LORD H3068 helped H5826 me.
14 The LORD H3050 is my strength H5797 and song, H2176 and is become my salvation. H3444
15 The voice H6963 of rejoicing H7440 and salvation H3444 is in the tabernacles H168 of the righteous: H6662 the right hand H3225 of the LORD H3068 doeth H6213 valiantly. H2428
16 The right hand H3225 of the LORD H3068 is exalted: H7426 the right hand H3225 of the LORD H3068 doeth H6213 valiantly. H2428
17 I shall not die, H4191 but live, H2421 and declare H5608 the works H4639 of the LORD. H3050
18 The LORD H3050 hath chastened H3256 me sore: H3256 but he hath not given me over H5414 unto death. H4194
19 Open H6605 to me the gates H8179 of righteousness: H6664 I will go H935 into them, and I will praise H3034 the LORD: H3050
20 This gate H8179 of the LORD, H3068 into which the righteous H6662 shall enter. H935
21 I will praise H3034 thee: for thou hast heard H6030 me, and art become my salvation. H3444
22 The stone H68 which the builders H1129 refused H3988 is become the head H7218 stone of the corner. H6438
23 This is the LORD'S H3068 doing; it is marvellous H6381 in our eyes. H5869
24 This is the day H3117 which the LORD H3068 hath made; H6213 we will rejoice H1523 and be glad H8055 in it.
25 Save H3467 now, I beseech H577 thee, O LORD: H3068 O LORD, H3068 I beseech H577 thee, send now prosperity. H6743
26 Blessed H1288 be he that cometh H935 in the name H8034 of the LORD: H3068 we have blessed H1288 you out of the house H1004 of the LORD. H3068
27 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
28 Thou art my God, H410 and I will praise H3034 thee: thou art my God, H430 I will exalt H7311 thee.
29 O give thanks H3034 unto the LORD; H3068 for he is good: H2896 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 118
Commentary on Psalms 118 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 118
Ps 118:1-29. After invoking others to unite in praise, the writer celebrates God's protecting and delivering care towards him, and then represents himself and the people of God as entering the sanctuary and uniting in solemn praise, with prayer for a continued blessing. Whether composed by David on his accession to power, or by some later writer in memory of the restoration from Babylon, its tone is joyful and trusting, and, in describing the fortune and destiny of the Jewish Church and its visible head, it is typically prophetical of the Christian Church and her greater and invisible Head.
1-4. The trine repetitions are emphatic (compare Ps 118:10-12, 15, 16; 115:12, 13).
Let … say—Oh! that Israel may say.
now—as in Ps 115:2; so in Ps 118:3, 4. After "now say" supply "give thanks."
that his mercy—or, "for His mercy."
5. distress—literally, "straits," to which "large place" corresponds, as in Ps 4:1; 31:8.
6, 7. Men are helpless to hurt him, if God be with him (Ps 56:9), and, if enemies, they will be vanquished (Ps 54:7).
8, 9. Even the most powerful men are less to be trusted than God.
10-12. Though as numerous and irritating as bees [Ps 118:12], by God's help his enemies would be destroyed.
12. as the fire of thorns—suddenly.
in the name, &c.—by the power (Ps 20:5; 124:8).
13-16. The enemy is triumphantly addressed as if present.
15. rejoicing and salvation—the latter as cause of the former.
16. right hand … is exalted—His power greatly exerted.
17, 18. He would live, because confident his life would be for God's glory.
19-21. Whether an actual or figurative entrance into God's house be meant, the purpose of solemn praise is intimated, in which only the righteous would or could engage.
22, 23. These words are applied by Christ (Mt 21:42) to Himself, as the foundation of the Church (compare Ac 4:11; Eph 2:20; 1Pe 2:4, 7). It may here denote God's wondrous exaltation to power and influence of him whom the rulers of the nation despised. Whether (see on Ps 118:1) David or Zerubbabel (compare Hag 2:2; Zec 4:7-10) be primarily meant, there is here typically represented God's more wonderful doings in exalting Christ, crucified as an impostor, to be the Prince and Saviour and Head of His Church.
24. This is the day—or period distinguished by God's favor of all others.
25. Save now—Hebrew, "Hosanna" (compare Ps 115:2, &c., as to now) a form of prayer (Ps 20:9), since, in our use, of praise.
26. he that cometh … Lord—As above intimated, this may be applied to the visible head of the Jewish Church entering the sanctuary, as leading the procession; typically it belongs to Him of whom the phrase became an epithet (Mal 3:1; Mt 21:9).
27-29. showed us light—or favor (Ps 27:1; 97:11). With the sacrificial victim brought bound to the altar is united the more spiritual offering of praise (Ps 50:14, 23), expressed in the terms with which the Psalm opened.