Psalms 118
FBMeyerPsalms 118:1-14
Trust in God Brings Strength Psalms 118:1-14 It is generally agreed that this psalm dates back to the restoration from Babylon. It was probably used as a processional hymn for the first time at the great Feast of Tabernacles mentioned in Nehemiah 8:13-18. The structure of the psalm is as follows: Psalms 118:1-4, the summons of the full choir to the constituent parts of the procession; Psalms 118:5-14, the song of the soloist; Psalms 118:15-16, the answer of the choir; Psalms 118:17-19, the soloist. At this point the procession reaches the Temple gates. Psalms 118:20 is the response of priests and Levites, the custodians of the sacred edifice, who lay stress on the character of those who tread its courts. Psalms 118:21, the soloist; Psalms 118:22-27, the full chorus; Psalms 118:28, the soloist; Psalms 118:29, the concluding doxology. Luther says of this psalm: “ This is mine, the one which I love.” As it was included in the great Hallel we infer that our Lord sang it as He went forth to die, Matthew 26:30. It will be sung once more on that coming day for which we wait. See Isaiah 25:9; Matthew 23:39. When we identify ourselves with God’ s great cause, we may absolutely count on God as our strength in the conflict, and our song in assured victory.
Chastened sore! This Psalm was sung by the restored exiles, when they laid the foundation of the second Temple (Ezra 3:10-11). It is believed that our Lord and his disciples sang this Psalm before He went into the garden (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). It was the last Psalm of the Hallel, 113-118. It is said to have been used after the Paschal meal. It is very touching to read into this Psalm some of those thoughts which must have filled the heart of our blessed Saviour, as He stood on the margin of the cold river. Psalms 118:26 had been sung a few days before in chorus by the multitudes who attended the triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9).
That same verse will probably be on the nation’s lips when Zechariah 14:1-21 is fulfilled. (compare Isaiah 25:9 with Matthew 23:39). Luther says of Psa 118:1-29, “This is my Psalm, the one which I love.” “Jehovah” occurs twenty-two times, corresponding with the numbers of letters in the Hebrew alphabet; “Jah” occurs five times.
Psalms 118:1. He IS good.Hold this fast in spite of all appearances to the contrary or the maledictions of his foes. And He will not grow weary or change (Malachi 3:6).
Psalms 118:2-4. His mercy endureth forever The triple call of Psa 115:9-11.
Psalms 118:5. I called the Lord answered Sin-stricken and sorrowful souls can hardly do better than take this prescription. If it has healed one, why should it not avail for others? (See Psalms 34:6).
Psalms 118:6-7. The Lord is on my side If you would have God on your side, you must take care to be on his side. And when once a poor saint and God are on the same side, victory is certain (Romans 8:33; Hebrews 13:6).
Psalms 118:8-9. It is better to trust in the Lord If our dearest friend were a rich and mighty prince, how secure we should be! Are we less so, when we entrust all our concerns to God? Nay, saith the Psalmist, not worse off, but better. Put your most secret desires and Plans into the hands of Jesus. Psalms 118:10-12. In the name of the Lord We may say this of our spiritual foes, as well as of all who oppose our endeavors for God’s cause.
Psalms 118:14. The Lord is my strength and song! A fragment from the Song of Moses (Exodus 15:2). (See also Psalms 27:1; Psalms 62:6.)
Psalms 118:16. The right hand of the Lord Our Mediator sits at the right hand of God, the position of activity and might (Mark 16:19). That right hand must therefore prevail for us.
Psalms 118:17-18. But There is always a “but” of merciful reservation in God’s dealings with us (Isaiah 38:17). Psalms 118:19-20.
The gates of righteousness The Lord hath many gates, through which the righteous pass into the inner chambers of his presence (Revelation 21:12-25).
Psalms 118:22. The head-stone of the corner This verse is supposed to have been suggested by the difficulty experienced by the Temple builders in fitting a certain stone into its place, though it afterwards occupied a very important position in the completed structure. The verse is frequently quoted and applied to the Lord Jesus (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; and 1 Peter 2:4-7).
Psalms 118:27. God hath showed us light New light demands more devoted service.
Psalms 118:15-29
a New Way in a New Day Psalms 118:15-29 As we draw near the mellowing light of the sanctuary we see more deeply into the divine meaning of our experiences. In Psalms 118:13, “Thou [the enemy] didst thrust sore at me,” but in Psalms 118:18, “The Lord hath chastened me sore.” Our Lord and His Apostles made much use of Psa 118:22. See Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4-7. It probably refers to an incident in the building of the Temple, when a rejected stone was sought for to complete the structure. Its rejection and recovery were “ the Lord’ s doing,” as a parable of other and more momentous events. Psalms 118:27 is peculiarly beautiful. As soon as God gives you light, make use of it for a fuller consecration and be renewal of sacrifice. New light means the discovery of fresh opportunities for divine service. Let light and life keep step! Pass from the altar to the Cross, at which Jesus stands to welcome and endorse your new act of surrender. Behold there the golden cord of love, the silver cord of hope, and the crimson cord of his redeeming sacrifice for you. The confession of such a life will be that God is good, that His service is bliss, and that His mercy never fails.
Chastened sore! This Psalm was sung by the restored exiles, when they laid the foundation of the second Temple (Ezra 3:10-11). It is believed that our Lord and his disciples sang this Psalm before He went into the garden (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). It was the last Psalm of the Hallel, 113-118. It is said to have been used after the Paschal meal. It is very touching to read into this Psalm some of those thoughts which must have filled the heart of our blessed Saviour, as He stood on the margin of the cold river. Psalms 118:26 had been sung a few days before in chorus by the multitudes who attended the triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9).
That same verse will probably be on the nation’s lips when Zechariah 14:1-21 is fulfilled. (compare Isaiah 25:9 with Matthew 23:39). Luther says of Psa 118:1-29, “This is my Psalm, the one which I love.” “Jehovah” occurs twenty-two times, corresponding with the numbers of letters in the Hebrew alphabet; “Jah” occurs five times.
Psalms 118:1. He IS good.Hold this fast in spite of all appearances to the contrary or the maledictions of his foes. And He will not grow weary or change (Malachi 3:6).
Psalms 118:2-4. His mercy endureth forever The triple call of Psa 115:9-11.
Psalms 118:5. I called the Lord answered Sin-stricken and sorrowful souls can hardly do better than take this prescription. If it has healed one, why should it not avail for others? (See Psalms 34:6).
Psalms 118:6-7. The Lord is on my side If you would have God on your side, you must take care to be on his side. And when once a poor saint and God are on the same side, victory is certain (Romans 8:33; Hebrews 13:6).
Psalms 118:8-9. It is better to trust in the Lord If our dearest friend were a rich and mighty prince, how secure we should be! Are we less so, when we entrust all our concerns to God? Nay, saith the Psalmist, not worse off, but better. Put your most secret desires and Plans into the hands of Jesus. Psalms 118:10-12. In the name of the Lord We may say this of our spiritual foes, as well as of all who oppose our endeavors for God’s cause.
Psalms 118:14. The Lord is my strength and song! A fragment from the Song of Moses (Exodus 15:2). (See also Psalms 27:1; Psalms 62:6.)
Psalms 118:16. The right hand of the Lord Our Mediator sits at the right hand of God, the position of activity and might (Mark 16:19). That right hand must therefore prevail for us.
Psalms 118:17-18. But There is always a “but” of merciful reservation in God’s dealings with us (Isaiah 38:17). Psalms 118:19-20.
The gates of righteousness The Lord hath many gates, through which the righteous pass into the inner chambers of his presence (Revelation 21:12-25).
Psalms 118:22. The head-stone of the corner This verse is supposed to have been suggested by the difficulty experienced by the Temple builders in fitting a certain stone into its place, though it afterwards occupied a very important position in the completed structure. The verse is frequently quoted and applied to the Lord Jesus (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; and 1 Peter 2:4-7).
Psalms 118:27. God hath showed us light New light demands more devoted service.