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Psalm 118
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Scripture (KJV)
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: but 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.
Summary
Psalm 118 is the climactic Hallel psalm, a personal and communal song of thanksgiving that frames and is framed by the refrain, “His mercy endureth for ever.” The psalmist recounts being surrounded by nations like swarming bees, thrust at so that he might fall, yet helped by the Lord, who became his strength, song, and salvation. He declares, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord,” and vows to enter the gates of righteousness to praise God. The famous verses 22-24—the rejected stone become the cornerstone, the Lord’s doing, marvelous in our eyes, the day the Lord has made—were applied by Jesus to Himself (Matthew 21:42) and by the early church to His resurrection (Acts 4:11).
The closing verses include the Hosanna cry—“Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord”—and the welcome, “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord,” quoted in Jesus’ triumphal entry (Matthew 23:39). The psalm ends as it began, with thanks to the Lord whose mercy endures forever. The major themes are thanksgiving, deliverance, the rejected stone, the day of salvation, and enduring mercy. Practically, the psalm teaches that the rejected One is the exalted One, and that every day the Lord makes is a day for rejoicing. The great lesson is that the stone the builders refused has become the cornerstone of our salvation.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 118
I give thanks to You, Lord, for You are good and Your mercy endures forever. Let Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear You say, “His mercy endures forever.” In distress I called on You, and You answered me and set me in a large place. You are on my side; I will not fear—what can man do to me? It is better to trust in You than to put confidence in princes. When nations compassed me about like bees, in Your name I was delivered. You are my strength and song and have become my salvation. I shall not die but live and declare Your works. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter and praise You. The stone the builders refused has become the cornerstone; this is Your doing, marvelous in my eyes. This is the day You have made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, O Lord; send now prosperity. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. You are my God, and I will praise You; I will exalt You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does the image of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone shape my view of Christ?
- 2What does it mean to say, “This is the day which the Lord hath made”?
- 3Where have I been “compassed about like bees” and seen the Lord deliver me?
- 4How can I live out the refrain that “his mercy endureth for ever”?
Related Psalms
Psalm 113
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 113 is the first of the “Hallel” psalms (113-118) sung at Passover and other Jewish festivals.
Read morePsalm 114
“When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;”
Psalm 114 is a short, vivid Hallel psalm that celebrates the exodus with dramatic personification.
Read morePsalm 115
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.”
Psalm 115 is a communal hymn that refuses to take glory for itself, directing all praise to the name of the Lord for His mercy and truth.
Read morePsalm 116
“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.”
Psalm 116 is a personal thanksgiving psalm in which the worshipper declares, “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Read morePsalm 117
“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.”
Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, yet its scope is universal.
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