Psalm 118
1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.2Let the congregation of Israel repeat: "His faithful love endures forever."3Let Aaron's descendants, the priests, repeat: "His faithful love endures forever."4Let all who fear the LORD repeat: "His faithful love endures forever."5In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and rescued me.6The LORD is for me, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?7Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.8It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people.9It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in princes.10Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all in the name of the LORD.11Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all in the name of the LORD.12They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a roaring flame. But I destroyed them all in the name of the LORD.13You did your best to kill me, O my enemy, but the LORD helped me.14The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my victory.15Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!16The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!17I will not die, but I will live to tell what the LORD has done.18The LORD has punished me severely, but he has not handed me over to death.19Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the LORD.20Those gates lead to the presence of the LORD, and the godly enter there.21I thank you for answering my prayer and saving me!22The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone.23This is the LORD's doing, and it is marvelous to see.24This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.25Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success.26Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.27The LORD is God, shining upon us. Bring forward the sacrifice and put it on the altar.28You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!29Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Chapter Contents
It is good to trust in the Lord. (1-18) The coming of Christ in his kingdom. (19-29)
Commentary on Psalm 118:1-18
The account the psalmist here gives of his troubles is very applicable to Christ: many hated him without a cause; nay, the Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him, and put him to grief, that by his stripes we might be healed. God is sometimes the strength of his people, when he is not their song; they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God, or whether he looks forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant cause for joy and praise. Every answer to our prayers is an evidence that the Lord is on our side; and then we need not fear what man can do unto us; we should conscientiously do our duty to all, and trust in him alone to accept and bless us. Let us seek to live to declare the works of God, and to encourage others to serve him and trust in him. Such were the triumphs of the Son of David, in the assurance that the good pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand.
Commentary on Psalm 118:19-29
Those who saw Christ's day at so great a distance, saw cause to praise God for the prospect. The prophecy, verses 22,23, may refer to David's preferment; but principally to Christ. 1. His humiliation; he is the Stone which the builders refused: they would go on in their building without him. This proved the ruin of those who thus made light of him. Rejecters of Christ are rejected of God. 2. His exaltation; he is the chief Cornerstone in the foundation. He is the chief Top-stone, in whom the building is completed, who must, in all things, have the pre-eminence. Christ's name is Wonderful; and the redemption he wrought out is the most amazing of all God's wondrous works. We will rejoice and be glad in the Lord's day; not only that such a day is appointed, but in the occasion of it, Christ's becoming the Head. Sabbath days ought to be rejoicing days, then they are to us as the days of heaven. Let this Saviour be my Saviour, my Ruler. Let my soul prosper and be in health, in that peace and righteousness which his government brings. Let me have victory over the lusts that war against my soul; and let Divine grace subdue my heart. The duty which the Lord has made, brings light with it, true light. The duty this privilege calls for, is here set forth; the sacrifices we are to offer to God in gratitude for redeeming love, are ourselves; not to be slain upon the altar, but living sacrifices, to be bound to the altar; spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise, in which our hearts must be engaged. The psalmist praises God, and calls upon all about him to give thanks to God for the glad tidings of great joy to all people, that there is a Redeemer, even Christ the Lord. In him the covenant of grace is made sure and everlasting."
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