1 Give ye thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; for his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.
2 Oh let Israel say, that his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.
3 Oh let the house of Aaron say, that his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.
4 Oh let them that fear Jehovah say, that his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.
5 I called upon Jah in distress; Jah answered me [and set me] in a large place.
6 Jehovah is for me, I will not fear; what can man do unto me?
7 Jehovah is for me among them that help me; and I shall see [my desire] upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in Jehovah than to put confidence in man;
9 It is better to trust in Jehovah than to put confidence in nobles.
10 All nations encompassed me; but in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.
11 They encompassed me, yea, encompassed me; but in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.
12 They encompassed me like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of Jehovah have I destroyed them.
13 Thou hast thrust hard at me that I might fall; but Jehovah helped me.
14 My strength and song is Jah, and he is become my salvation.
15 The voice of triumph and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: the right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly;
16 The right hand of Jehovah is exalted, the right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of Jah.
18 Jah hath chastened me sore; but he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter into them; Jah will I praise.
20 This is the gate of Jehovah: the righteous shall enter therein.
21 I will give thee thanks, for thou hast answered me, and art become my salvation.
22 [The] stone which the builders rejected hath become the head of the corner:
23 This is of Jehovah; it is wonderful in our eyes.
24 This is the day that Jehovah hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Oh save, Jehovah, I beseech thee; Jehovah, I beseech thee, oh send prosperity!
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah. We have blessed you out of the house of Jehovah.
27 Jehovah is ùGod, and he hath given us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, -- up to the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my ùGod, and I will give thee thanks; my God, I will exalt thee.
29 Give ye thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; for his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.
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.