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Psalm 118 – A Detailed Explanation

 


Psalm 118 – A Detailed Explanation

Psalm 118 is a majestic and triumphant hymn of thanksgiving and victory, positioned as the final psalm in the Hallel (Psalms 113–118), a group of psalms traditionally sung during Jewish festivals like Passover. This psalm has resonated across centuries with both Jews and Christians, celebrating God's enduring mercy, deliverance, and the establishment of divine justice.

1. Historical and Literary Background

Psalm 118 is part of Book V of the Psalter (Psalms 107–150). While the exact authorship is uncertain, Jewish tradition often attributes it to King David. Its use during national festivals, particularly Passover, links it with Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and other historical moments of salvation. It has also been connected with the dedication of the Second Temple after the Babylonian exile.

From a literary perspective, Psalm 118 is a blend of personal and communal praise, with features of thanksgiving psalms, victory songs, and liturgical responses. It uses repetition, parallelism, and dramatic narrative to draw the reader or listener into the act of praise.

2. Structure of Psalm 118

The psalm can be divided into several major sections:

  1. Call to Praise (vv. 1–4)

  2. Personal Testimony of Deliverance (vv. 5–18)

  3. Processional and Liturgical Elements (vv. 19–27)

  4. Closing Exhortation and Praise (vv. 28–29)

Each section builds upon the others, moving from individual testimony to a collective celebration in the temple.

3. Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Verses 1–4: A Universal Call to Praise

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

The opening verse sets the tone: gratitude rooted in God's unchanging, covenantal love (hesed). The refrain is then repeated in call-and-response format for different groups:

  • Israel (v. 2)

  • The House of Aaron (v. 3)

  • Those who fear the LORD (v. 4)

This triadic invocation includes the entire spectrum of faithful worshippers, inviting all to affirm God’s enduring love.

Verses 5–13: Deliverance from Distress

“Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.”

Here the psalmist offers personal testimony of being surrounded by enemies and calling upon God. The central idea is confidence in God rather than fear of man:

“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

This section emphasizes trust over anxiety, placing one’s confidence in divine rather than human power. Verses 10–12 depict the enemies as a swarm—“all nations surrounded me”—yet they are defeated “in the name of the LORD.”

Verses 14–18: Victory and Thanksgiving

“The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”

This verse quotes Exodus 15:2, linking the current deliverance to the exodus from Egypt. There is a burst of joyful celebration, as the psalmist declares that the "right hand of the LORD does valiantly." God's power has turned the tide of what seemed like certain defeat.

“I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.”

This is not just survival; it’s purposeful survival—living to proclaim God's works. Though disciplined (v. 18), the psalmist was not abandoned.

Verses 19–27: Temple Entrance and Liturgical Praise

“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.”

This marks a transition into a ceremonial setting, perhaps an actual procession into the temple. The speaker desires to enter the gates and offer public thanksgiving. It’s here we find one of the most quoted verses in Scripture:

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (v. 22)

This metaphor, possibly referring to David or Israel, takes on profound messianic significance (explored below). Verse 24 adds another well-known line:

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Verses 25–27 include pleas for salvation and blessing, pointing to a liturgical function, possibly as part of a feast or a royal entrance. The phrase “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD” (v. 26) anticipates its future use during Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Verses 28–29: Concluding Praise

“You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.”

The psalm ends where it began—with gratitude for God's steadfast love. It’s a full-circle moment, reinforcing the central theme of God's covenant faithfulness.

4. Key Themes in Psalm 118

A. God’s Steadfast Love (Hebrew: Hesed)

Repeated four times in the opening and again in the closing verse, this word encapsulates God's faithful, loyal love toward His people.

B. Deliverance from Danger

Whether political enemies, illness, or spiritual crisis, the psalmist depicts a vivid scenario of deliverance—rescue that highlights God's might and mercy.

C. Confidence in God Alone

“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” (v. 8)

This middle verse of the Bible (depending on translation) echoes a core biblical truth: human strength is frail, but God's power is reliable.

D. Reversal and Vindication

“The stone that the builders rejected…”

God exalts what is rejected by men. This theme of reversal—where the lowly are lifted—is a central biblical motif, especially in messianic and eschatological literature.

5. Messianic and Christian Interpretations

Psalm 118 holds a special place in the New Testament and early Christian worship:

Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:9; John 12:13)

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!”

This chant greeted Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. For Christians, Jesus fulfills the roles of both rejected cornerstone and victorious king.

The Rejected Stone (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7)

Jesus applies the cornerstone metaphor to himself, illustrating how God’s chosen Messiah was rejected by religious authorities but exalted by God.

Resurrection and Victory

“I shall not die, but I shall live…”

Early Christians saw in this verse a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's resurrection—triumph over death with a purpose to proclaim divine works.

6. Jewish Liturgical Use

Psalm 118 is central to Passover, Sukkot, and other festivals, recited during the Hallel. The themes of deliverance and thanksgiving tie it closely to the Exodus story. During Passover, Psalm 118 is often the final psalm recited at the Seder, making it the crescendo of praise in the Jewish liturgical year.

7. Modern Applications

A. Personal Prayer

Psalm 118 is often prayed in times of danger, discouragement, or transition. Its affirmations—“The LORD is on my side”—offer comfort and courage.

B. National Celebrations

It has been used in various national contexts, especially around themes of independence, restoration, or thanksgiving after war or catastrophe.

C. Worship and Music

Lines from this psalm have been turned into countless hymns and worship songs across traditions:

  • “This is the Day” (based on v. 24)

  • “Give Thanks to the LORD” (refrain from vv. 1, 29)

  • “The Stone that the Builders Rejected”

8. Literary and Theological Reflection

Psalm 118’s poetic depth lies in its honest recounting of struggle and its unshakeable confidence in God's saving acts. It teaches a rhythm of faith:

  1. Cry out in distress.

  2. Receive deliverance.

  3. Enter the temple with thanksgiving.

  4. Proclaim God’s faithful love.

Theologically, it emphasizes God’s sovereignty over history, His preference for the humble and rejected, and the centrality of praise in the life of the believer.

9. Conclusion

Psalm 118 is a song of victory, gratitude, and unwavering faith. It connects personal experience with communal celebration, ancient deliverance with future hope. In both Jewish and Christian contexts, it has become a cornerstone (pun intended) of worship and faith expression.

It reminds us that:

  • God hears when we call.

  • Human opposition is powerless against divine purpose.

  • What is rejected by man may be chosen by God.

  • Every day is a divine gift worth celebrating.

In a world that often feels hostile or chaotic, Psalm 118 offers a bold, steady voice of faith:
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

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