Bible Commentaries
Psalms 118

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

Verse 5

THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 .

and set me in a large place. The current Hebrew text = with the deliverance of JAH, bammerhab yah (two words). The Massoretic text reads it as one word, bammerhabyah = with deliverance. The Authorized Version and Revised Version transfer the yah to the beginning of the clause, and are then compelled to make out the sense by supplying "and set me". They do not even notice the Massoretic reading. The printed text reads: "I called upon Jah in distress, He answered me with the deliverance of Yah . "The Massoretic text reads: "I called upon Jah in distress, He answered me with deliverance. "

Verse 6

The LORD, &c. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Quoted in Hebrews 13:6 .

man = a man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 8

It is better . . . Than. Figure of speech Connotes ( App-6 ), repeated in Psalms 118:9 .

better = good. By Figure of speech Heterosis ( App-6 ), the Positive is put for the Comparative, and is so rendered.

trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .

put confidence. Hebrew. batah . App-69 .

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 10

All. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , for a large number, or many.

But, &c. Figure of speech Epistrophe ( App-6 ), repeated in Psalms 118:11 .

Verse 11

They compassed . . . they compassed. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

Verse 12

They compassed. Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ), repeated from Psalms 118:11 .

are quenched. Septuagint reads "blazed up".

the name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 13

Thou. Does this refer to the "man" of Psalms 118:6 ?

Verse 14

song. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the theme of the song.

salvation. Compare Psalms 118:21 .Exodus 15:2 .Isaiah 12:2 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for Him Who saves = my Saviour.

Verse 15

tabernacles = tents, or dwellings. Hebrew. 'ohel . App-40 (3).

The right hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

doeth valiantly. Figure of speech Coenotes ( App-6 ), repeated in Psalms 118:16 .

Verse 17

works. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "work" (singular)

Verse 22

The stone: i.e. the Messiah. See Genesis 49:24 . A stone of stumbling, Isaiah 8:14 (compare Romans 9:33 . 1 Peter 2:8 ); a "tried stone", "precious", "sure", Isaiah 28:16 ; the rejected stone (compare Matthew 21:42 .Mark 12:10 , Mark 12:11 .Luke 20:17 . Acts 4:11 . 1 Peter 2:4 ). The true foundation, Isaiah 28:16 (compare Matthew 16:18 . 1 Corinthians 3:11 .Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 2:20 ).

refused. See note above, and compare Structure, 22-24 with 26-28, above. Here the present Dispensation comes in. See App-72 .

Verse 23

This is the LORD'S doing. Messiah's exaltation is thus like the humiliation (Psalms 109:27 ).

Verse 25

Save now, &c. Hebrew "Hosanna" = Save, I pray. Not a Particle of time , but of entreaty (as in Ecclesiastes 12:1 ). Repeated four times for emphasis. Literally "I pray Thee, Jehovah; Save; I pray Thee; I pray Thee, O Jehovah".

Verse 26

Blessed, &c. See Matthew 21:9 ; Matthew 23:39 . Mark 11:9 . Luke 13:35 ; Luke 19:38 . John 12:13 .

you. Plural.

Verse 27

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .

Bind. Hebrew. 'asar, to bind, or join. Here, in its idiomatic usage, to join, so as to make ready (Genesis 46:29 . Exo 14:6 . 1 Kings 18:44 . 2 Kings 9:21 ), or begin (1 Kings 20:14 . 2 Chronicles 13:3 ).

sacrifice. Hebrew. hag = a feast, or festal [sacrifice]. See note on Exodus 23:18 , and compare Exodus 5:1 ; Exodus 12:14 ; Exodus 23:14 .Leviticus 23:39 , Leviticus 23:41 .Numbers 29:12 .Deuteronomy 16:15 .Zechariah 14:16 , Zechariah 14:18 , Zechariah 14:19 .

cords = wreaths, or garlands, as in Exodus 28:14 , Exodus 28:22 , Exodus 28:24 , Exodus 28:25 ; Exodus 39:15 , Exodus 39:17 , Exodus 39:18 .

even unto. Hebrew. 'ad = up to or during: i.e. even until [it is consummated at] the horns of the altar. 'Ad denotes progression in time. Translate: "Make ready the festal sacrifice with garlands until [it is consummated at] the horns of the altar. "Compare Acts 14:13 . There is nothing about "to the altar" here.

Verse 28

praise = give thanks.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .