Psalms — Chapter 118

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1Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

2Let Israel say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”

3Let the house of Aaron say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”

4Let those who fear the LORD say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”

5In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.

6The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

7The LORD is on my side; He is my helper. Therefore I will look in triumph on those who hate me.

8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

11They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

12They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

13I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me.

14The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.

15Shouts of joy and salvation resound in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!

16The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!”

17I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done.

18The LORD disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.

19Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter and give thanks to the LORD.

20This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

21I will give You thanks, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.

22The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

23This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper!

26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

27The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

28You are my God, and I will give You thanks. You are my God, and I will exalt You.

29Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

2Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

16The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:

20This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.

21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

23This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

27God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

29O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

1Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.

2Let Israel now say, That his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.

3Let the house of Aaron now say, That his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.

4Let them now that fear Jehovah say, That his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.

5Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me [and set me] in a large place.

6Jehovah is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?

7Jehovah is on my side among them that help me: Therefore shall I see [my desire] upon them that hate me.

8It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in man.

9It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in princes.

10All nations compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.

11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.

12They compassed me about like bees; They are quenched as the fire of thorns: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.

13Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; But Jehovah helped me.

14Jehovah is my strength and song; And he is become my salvation.

15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.

16The right hand of Jehovah is exalted: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.

17I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of Jehovah.

18Jehovah hath chastened me sore; But he hath not given me over unto death.

19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto Jehovah.

20This is the gate of Jehovah; The righteous shall enter into it.

21I will give thanks unto thee; for thou hast answered me, And art become my salvation.

22The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner.

23This is Jehovah`s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes.

24This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

25Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.

26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah: We have blessed you out of the house of Jehovah.

27Jehovah is God, and he hath given us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

28Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

29Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever. Psalm 119 ALEPH.

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his loyal love endures.

2Let Israel say, “Yes, his loyal love endures.”

3Let the family of Aaron say, “Yes, his loyal love endures.”

4Let the loyal followers of the Lord say, “Yes, his loyal love endures.”

5In my distress I cried out to the Lord. The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place.

6The Lord is on my side; I am not afraid. What can people do to me?

7The Lord is on my side as my helper. I look in triumph on those who hate me.

8It is better to take shelter in the Lord than to trust in people.

9It is better to take shelter in the Lord than to trust in princes.

10All the nations surrounded me. Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.

11They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.

12They surrounded me like bees. But they disappeared as quickly as a fire among thorns. Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.

13“You aggressively attacked me and tried to knock me down, but the Lord helped me.

14The Lord gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer.”

15They celebrate deliverance in the tents of the godly. The Lord’s right hand conquers.

16The Lord’s right hand gives victory; the Lord’s right hand conquers.

17I will not die, but live, and I will proclaim what the Lord has done.

18The Lord severely punished me, but he did not hand me over to death.

19Open for me the gates of the just king’s temple. I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

20This is the Lord’s gate— the godly enter through it.

21I will give you thanks, for you answered me, and have become my deliverer.

22The stone that the builders discarded has become the cornerstone.

23This is the Lord’s work. We consider it amazing!

24This is the day the Lord has brought about. We will be happy and rejoice in it.

25Please, Lord, deliver! Please, Lord, grant us success!

26May the one who comes in the name of the Lord be blessed. We will pronounce blessings on you in the Lord’s temple.

27The Lord is God, and he has delivered us. Tie the offering with ropes to the horns of the altar.

28You are my God, and I will give you thanks. You are my God, and I will praise you.

29Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his loyal love endures.

1Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

2Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

3Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

4Now let those who fear Yahweh say that his loving kindness endures forever.

5Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom.

6Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

7Yahweh is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.

8It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man.

9It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes.

10All the nations surrounded me, but in Yahweh’s name, I cut them off.

11They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off.

12They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.

13You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me.

14Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.

15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly.

16The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!”

17I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works.

18Yah has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

19Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yah.

20This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it.

21I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.

22The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

23This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.

24This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!

25Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.

26Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name! We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.

27Yahweh is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you.

29Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Commentary
Videos
Articles
Reflection

Summary

This Hallel thanksgiving psalm opens with a call-and-response liturgy in which Israel, the priests, and all who fear the LORD declare that his mercy endures forever (vv. 1-4). The psalmist recalls being answered by God in distress, finding confidence that the LORD's presence removes fear of what people can do to him (vv. 5-7), and concluding it is better to trust God than to rely on human strength or rulers (vv. 8-9). Though surrounded by hostile nations, he overcomes them in the LORD's name (vv. 10-12), and though pushed hard toward failure, the LORD became his strength, song, and salvation (vv. 13-14). Joyful praise fills the camp of the righteous as God's right hand acts victoriously (vv. 15-16), and the psalmist vows to live and declare the LORD's works despite severe discipline (vv. 17-18). He calls for the gates of righteousness to be opened so he can enter and give thanks (vv. 19-21), proclaiming that the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone — the LORD's marvelous doing (vv. 22-23) — and that this day of rejoicing was made by the LORD (v. 24). It closes blessing the one who comes in the LORD's name and calling once more for thanks for his enduring mercy (vv. 25-29).

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses.
Classification: Hallel Psalm / Messianic Thanksgiving
Attributed Author: Anonymous (possibly Davidic; final psalm of the Egyptian Hallel)
Key Themes: God's enduring mercy, trust over human confidence, the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone, the day the LORD has made, Messianic triumph through rejection, processional worship
Historical Context: Psalm 118 concludes the Egyptian Hallel (113-118) and is the last psalm Jesus sang before Gethsemane (Matt 26:30). It is heavily Messianic — v.22 (the rejected stone) is quoted by Jesus (Matt 21:42), Peter (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet 2:7), and Paul (Eph 2:20). Verse 26 ("Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD") was shouted at Jesus' Triumphal Entry (Matt 21:9) and referenced in His lament over Jerusalem (Matt 23:39). Martin Luther called this psalm his favorite: "This is my psalm, my chosen psalm. I love them all... but this one is nearest my heart." The psalm moves from personal testimony through threat and deliverance to the temple gates, culminating in Messianic prophecy.
His Mercy Endureth for Ever (vv.1-4): O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. This is the last psalm of the Egyptian Hallel, which makes it the last thing sung at a Passover meal and very probably the hymn of Matthew 26:30, sung on the way to Gethsemane. The opening four verses are built for a congregation, with a leader calling Israel, then the house of Aaron, then them that fear the LORD, and the same line answered back each time.
It Is Better to Trust in the LORD (vv.5-18): I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. Fourteen verses of testimony, and the shape of it is a siege that failed. The refrain of the middle is a comparison, it is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man, and then in princes, which narrows from people in general to the people most worth relying on. The enemies are described three times over in the same words, they compassed me about, and then dismissed in an image of noise without duration, they are quenched as the fire of thorns. Verse 14 is quoted from the song at the sea in Exodus 15:2, the LORD is my strength and song. And the section ends by refusing to read the trouble as abandonment, the LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to Me the Gates of Righteousness (vv.19-21): Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD. The psalm arrives somewhere, and from here on it reads as a processional sung at the temple entrance, with the request made outside and the reply given at the door, this gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
The Stone Which the Builders Refused (vv.22-24): The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. In the psalm this is most likely the nation, or its king, rejected by the great powers and set in place by God. Jesus quotes it against the chief priests at the end of the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:42, Peter quotes it before the council in Acts 4:11 and again in 1 Peter 2:7, and Paul works with the same figure in Ephesians 2:20. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. Then the verse that has become a general sentiment and is not one, this is the day which the LORD hath made, which in context means the day of the reversal just described rather than any given morning.
Save Now, I Beseech Thee (vv.25-27): Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD. Those first two words are hoshiah-na, which comes into Greek and then English as hosanna, and it is a plea for rescue rather than a shout of praise. The next verse is what the crowds call out at the entry into Jerusalem in all four Gospels, blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD, and Jesus quotes it back in Matthew 23:39 as something they will say later. The section ends inside the ritual it belongs to, bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou Art My God, and I Will Praise Thee (vv.28-29): Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. After the crowd and the procession the psalm ends in the singular, which is how it began at verse 5. Then the opening line returns unchanged, O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever, closing the Hallel on the sentence it started with.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Verse-by-verse commentary on this chapter, written for the everyday reader and freely available online.
  • Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
  • Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.

Videos

Psalm 118 - The Chief Cornerstone
David Guzik

Psalm 118 | The Rejected Stone | Bible Study
Spoken Gospel

Articles

  • GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of Psalms -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.

Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.

Reflection

  • Confidence Over Fear (v.6) — With the LORD on his side, the psalmist asks what mere people could possibly do to him. Where is fear of others' opinions or actions crowding out your confidence in God?
  • Trusting God Over People (vv.8-9) — It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes or any human institution. Where have you been leaning on people or systems that were never meant to hold that weight?
  • The Rejected Stone Becomes the Cornerstone (v.22) — What the builders rejected becomes the very foundation stone — a picture ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Where have you felt rejected or overlooked, and can you trust God to use it for something foundational?
  • This Is the Day (v.24) — The psalmist declares this the day the LORD has made, calling for rejoicing not because circumstances are easy but because God made it. Can you rejoice in today specifically because it's God's doing, not because everything is going well?
  • A Desperate Cry for Salvation (v.25) — "Hosanna" is not a casual celebration but an urgent plea: save us now. What situation in your life needs that same desperate, honest cry for God to act?