Psalms 118
PATraised (hcc, Lord, in the time of my distress, I will faithfully engage myself to perform before them all: (hey shall sec I am not forgetful of thee, who wast so mindful of me in my trouble. Vcr. 15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.] As, indeed, thou art of all good men, whose lives thou prescrvest as a precious jewel: and wilt not give them up to the pleasure of their enemies; nor suffer them to be lost, but by thy special providence. Vcr. 1G. O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.] Accept, good Lord, of these my resolutions; for I am sensible that I am thy servant; every way thy servant, and entirely obliged to be faithful to thee; both by my birth and by ray education; and by this marvellous deliverance, whereby thou hast rescued me from the power of death, which had, in a manner, taken hold of me. There is nothing more probable than that David composed this Psalm, after God had settled him upon the throne of Israel as well as Judah; and also subdued the Philistines, (who hoped to have crushed him before he grew too powerful, 2 Sam. v. 17.) together with other enemies round about him, who, though they arc not mentioned, yet, in all likelihood, joined with them, as wc may gather from ver. 10, 11, of this Psalm, compared with 2 Sam. vii. 1. For that it was written after he had brought tho ark to Jerusalem, (mentioned there, chap, vi.) and placed it in the house he had prepared for it, seems very plain from vcr. 19. of this Psalm; where he begins to praise God in such words, as had not their complete fulfilling till the Lord’s Christ (whom the Jews rejected, and said, He shall not reign over us) was made king of the world. For to him R. Solomon himself acknowledges those words, The Stone which the builders refused, &c. are to be applied. And as the latter part of the Psalm is a prophecy of Christ, in David’s type, so the former part may be accommodated to all Christians: who, being persecuted (asTheodoret speaks), and tormented, and disgracefully treated, by many princes and their people, by kings and governors, got a glorious victory over them all,. after they had endured a thousand deaths;- It seems also to have been pronounced, at first,. in some solemn assembly of all the people, mettogcther to praise the Lord for his benefits. And it is the common opinion of most interpreters, that they all had a part in this Psalm. The greatest part of which was spoken by David; who begins with a declaration how much he was indebted to God, desiring all to assist him iahis praises; and then coming in asolemn procession, I suppose to the gates of the tabernacle, calls upon the porters (vcr. 19.) to open them to him, that he might praise God in his sanctuary, which he doth in the very entrance, (vcr. 20.) and then in the courts of his house;(ver. 21.) after which all the people shout, and magnify the Divine goodness; in making him, who was banished from his country, their king: (vcr. 22, Sec.) and then the priests come forth, and bless both the king and people in the name of the Lord, (ver. 2G.) and exhort them to be thankful: (ver. 27.) and then David seems to take the words out of their mouths, and to declare that he will, never be unmindful of God s benefits; desiringall the people also to remember them, (ver. 28, 29.) According to which account of the Psalm I have ordered the Paraphrase.- let them confess, and thankfully acknowledge, that his kindness continues to all generations. eyes.] This is the sole work of the Lord (not the effect of human counsels, who opposed and obstructed it), which surprises us with the greatest admiration, to see a despised person become on a sudden so renowned.
Psalms 118:1
\J GIVE thanks to the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. O make your thankful acknowledgments to the great Lord of all the world: who, as he is the author of all good, and hath been exceeding bountiful unto us, so will continue his kindness to all succeeding generations^
Psalms 118:2
IM Israel noiv say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the children of Israel, who have had such long experience of his love, and now see his promises fulfilled;
Psalms 118:3
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the priests and the Levites, whose business it is to attend upon his service, confess now, and thankfully acknowledge/ that his kindness extends unto all ages.
Psalms 118:4
Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever. And let all the devout worshippers of the Lord, of whatsoever nation they be, join together with us (far there is one Lord of all, who dispenses various benefits to every one of us), and confess now most thankfully, that there is no end of his kindness*
Psalms 118:5
I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. You may see an example of it in me, who was in grievous straits and dangers; (1 Sam. xxiii. 26. xxvii. 1.) but then imploring the Divine protection, the Lord not only delivered me, but placed me in a secure estate, free from all such molestation, (2 Sam. v. 3. vii. 1.)
Psalms 118:6
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?~. For the Lord, it is evident, takes my part; and therefore, though I have many enemies, I am not afraid of them: for, when he is for me, what disturbance can men, be they never so powerful, give me?
Psalms 118:7
The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.~. It is sufficient that the Lord, who hath done great things for me by weak instruments, is still aiding me: therefore I dare look the most malicious enemies in the face, and doubt not to sco them turn their backs upon me, (2 Sam. viii.)
Psalms 118:8
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. This is my hope; and long experience hath taught me, that it is much safer to rely upon him, than upon the most numerous armies:
Psalms 118:9
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. Far more safe to depend upon his help and protection (who, as he can do what he pleases, and is constant to his word, so never dies), than to confide in the aid of the greatest princes; whose mind may change, or their forces fail, or they themselves, on a sudden, leave the world..
Psalms 118:10
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. All the neighbouring nations round about (1 Sam. v. 17, &c. vii. 1.) combined with the Philistines to environ me; but, by the almighty power of the Lord, I was confident that I should hew them in pieces.
Psalms 118:11
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I ivill destroy them. Again they made a new invasion, and beset me with stronger forces, (2 Sam. v. 22, &c.) but still, by the almighty power of the Lord, I doubted not that I should cut them off, and utterly defeat them.
Psalms 118:12
Tliey compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord J will destroy them. Though they were exceeding numerous, swarming about me like angry bees, and flaming with such rage and fury, as if they would presently consume me; yet it was but like the blaze of fire among thorns: for, by the almighty power of the Lord, I was confident I should destroy them.
Psalms 118:13
Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. They pressed me exceeding hard, and, as one man, conspired with all their might to throw me down from the throne, to which 1 was advanced; but though they shaked it, and it was ready to fall, yet, by the help of the Lord, it was supported.
Psalms 118:14
The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation. To him alone I ascribe my present happiness, saying, with our forefathers in their triumphant song, (Exod. xv, 2.) The Lord hath armed me with invincible strength; he, and he alone, is to be praised, who hath given me a most glorious deliverance.
Psalms 118:15
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in tlie tabernacle of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Which comforts the hearts of all righteous men; whose houses sound with such joyful shouts of praise for my deliverance as these: The mighty power of the Lord hath done most stupendous things.
Psalms 118:16
Tlie right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. He hath made his mighty power to appear to be superior to all other; for not by man, but by that power we have again and again obtained illustrious victories over our enemies, (2 Sam. xix. 97) i
Psalms 118:17
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I can never sure prove ungrateful to thee, unto whom I am tied by so many bonds; but will always be making thee my most thankful solemn acknowledgments for the benefits I have received: and together with those praises, and thanksgivings, wait upon thy goodness, for the like mercies in time to come. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.] From w T hence I conclude, that I shall not fall into the hands of those that would take away my life; but still prolong it to declare what wonderful works the Lord hath* done for me.* •
Psalms 118:18
1 wilt pay my voivs unto the Lord now in the presence of all Jus people. I resolve again, religiously to make goodthese, and all other my vows, wherein I stand engaged to the Lord: and that not only in private; but here at this solemnity, in the face of all his people: The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.] Who hath let my enemies have power to afflict me very sorely, but not to proceed so far as to destroy me.
Psalms 118:19
In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of ihee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord. When they are gathered together at his house, in the midst of the holy city of our God;* where they meet to worship him^ and to do him honour. There let them all join with me, to bless and praise the great Creator and Preserver of all things.- PSALM eXVIL ARGUMENT.- This Psalm (like the hundred and tenth) seems to be nlto* gcther prophetical, of the joy that all the world should conceive at the coming of the Messiah: to give salvation, first tothe Jews, and then to all other nations; according tb his faithful promise. St. Paul applies the first words of It to this business, (Horn. xv. 11.)* and some of the Hebrews justify his application ^confessing that this Psalm belongsto -that matter. The brevity of it makes it the more remarkable; and easier to be remembered both by Jews and gentiles*. -Vcr. 1. \J PRAISEthe Lord, all ye nations: praise Kim:] all ye people.] Let not the praises, whicharc due to the great Lord of alii be confined to our nation; but let all people upon the face of the earth praise him: let all mankind sing thankful hymns unto him. Vcr. 2. For his merciful kindness is great towards ns: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Jjord.] For they are all concerned in his transcendent kindness, which hath done mighty things for us; and the Lord, who changes not, will never fail to perform his faithful promises to the world’s end. Therefore let usall join our praises to our common Benefactor.. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go in to them, and I will praise the Lord.] No, instead of that> he hath brought me to his own house again, from which I was banished, (ISam. xxvi. 19.’) where 1 will return thanks unto him: and therefore, O ye that minister in the tabernacle, open the gates at which the righteous enter into the courts of the Lord, that I may go in and make him my acknowledgments, for bringing me from a most forlorn condition to a throne.
Psalms 118:20
This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. This is the gate (which 1 behold and approach with joy) that leads to the courts of the Lord, at which the righteous shall enter together with me, and hear me say;
Psalms 118:21
J will praise thee; for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. I will never cease to praise and acknowledge thy goodness, O Lord, who hast graciously heard my prayer, when I implored thy help, and delivered me out of all my distresses.
Psalms 118:22
The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner. And let them bear a part with me in this my psalm of praise; Saying; He whom the great men and rulers of the people rejected, (1 Sam. xxvi. 19.) as the builders of a house do.a stone unfit to be-employed in it, is now become our king; to whom we must all join ourselves, if we hope for safety: in whom we see a figure of that glorious King, who shall hereafter be in like mauuer refused, (Luke xix. 14. xx. 17.) and then by God exalted to be the Lord of all the. world, and the foundation of all men’s happiness, (Acts iv. 11,12.) -
Psalms 118:23
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our 2E2
Psalms 118:25
Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, send noiv prosperity. Most humbly beseeching thee, O Lord, to preserve our king; and to advance and perpetuate his kingdom, (especially the kingdom of Christ, which shall be welcomed into the world with these w r ords, Matt. xxi. 9, &c.) It begins most gloriously; be pleased now, O Lord, to give it answerable success and prosperity.
Psalms 118:26
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. Which acclamations of the people, let the priests of the Lord meet with their approbation, saying: Blessed be the king which is set over us by the Divine appointment; and blessed be all the people who live under his happy government: we, whoso office it is to minister to the Lord, give you his blessing from the holy place, into which you are come to worship bim.
Psalms 118:27
God is the Lord, which hath shewed its light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even nnto the horns of the altar. Who is tho omnipotent Lord, most faithful to his promise; who hath put an end to our troubles, and made peace among us: O be not ungrateful to him, but solemnize this day with festival joys; bind your sacrifices with cords, and bring them to the corners of tho altar, to be offered as testimonies of youjr love and thankfulness unto him.
Psalms 118:28
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee; thou art my God, I will exalt thee. And so for my part, I am resolved; who must own thee to be my most gracious God, and almighty Deliverer; to whom therefore I will make continually my most thankful acknowledgments: to thy almighty goodness alone I owe this greatness to which I am promoted, and* therefore I will never cease to speak the highest things I am able in thy praise.
Psalms 118:29
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. And lot all good men join together with me, and make their thankful acknowledgments to the groat Lord of the world; who, as he is the author of all good, and hath been exceeding bountiful unto us; so will continue his kindness unto all succeeding generations.
This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the happy day which tho Lord himself hath made illustrious by his marvellous work; and which it becomes us to celebrate with joyful hearts, and with all outward expressions of gladness, for so great a benefit: