Bible Commentaries
Psalms 118

Introduction

PSALM 118

:-. After invoking others to unite in praise, the writer celebrates God's protecting and delivering care towards him, and then represents himself and the people of God as entering the sanctuary and uniting in solemn praise, with prayer for a continued blessing. Whether composed by David on his accession to power, or by some later writer in memory of the restoration from Babylon, its tone is joyful and trusting, and, in describing the fortune and destiny of the Jewish Church and its visible head, it is typically prophetical of the Christian Church and her greater and invisible Head.

Verse 1

1-4. The trine repetitions are emphatic (compare Psalms 118:10-12; Psalms 118:15; Psalms 118:16; Psalms 115:12; Psalms 115:13).

Let . . . say—Oh! that Israel may say.

now—as in Psalms 115:13- :; so in Psalms 118:3; Psalms 118:4. After "now say" supply "give thanks."

that his mercy—or, "for His mercy."

Verse 5

5. distress—literally, "straits," to which "large place" corresponds, as in Psalms 4:1; Psalms 31:8.

Verse 6

6, 7. Men are helpless to hurt him, if God be with him (Psalms 56:9), and, if enemies, they will be vanquished (Psalms 56:9- :).

Verse 8

8, 9. Even the most powerful men are less to be trusted than God.

Verse 10

10-12. Though as numerous and irritating as bees [Psalms 118:12], by God's help his enemies would be destroyed.

Verse 12

12. as the fire of thorns—suddenly.

in the name, c.—by the power (Psalms 20:5 Psalms 124:8).

Verse 13

13-16. The enemy is triumphantly addressed as if present.

Verse 15

15. rejoicing and salvation—the latter as cause of the former.

Verse 16

16. right hand . . . is exalted—His power greatly exerted.

Verse 17

17, 18. He would live, because confident his life would be for God's glory.

Verse 19

19-21. Whether an actual or figurative entrance into God's house be meant, the purpose of solemn praise is intimated, in which only the righteous would or could engage.

Verse 22

22, 23. These words are applied by Christ (Matthew 21:42) to Himself, as the foundation of the Church (compare Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4; 1 Peter 2:7). It may here denote God's wondrous exaltation to power and influence of him whom the rulers of the nation despised. Whether (see on 1 Peter 2:7- :) David or Zerubbabel (compare Haggai 2:2; Zechariah 4:7-10) be primarily meant, there is here typically represented God's more wonderful doings in exalting Christ, crucified as an impostor, to be the Prince and Saviour and Head of His Church.

Verse 24

24. This is the day—or period distinguished by God's favor of all others.

Verse 25

25. Save now—Hebrew, "Hosanna" (compare :-, &c., as to now) a form of prayer ( :-), since, in our use, of praise.

Verse 26

26. he that cometh . . . Lord—As above intimated, this may be applied to the visible head of the Jewish Church entering the sanctuary, as leading the procession; typically it belongs to Him of whom the phrase became an epithet (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:9).

Verse 27

27-29. showed us light—or favor (Psalms 27:1; Psalms 97:11). With the sacrificial victim brought bound to the altar is united the more spiritual offering of praise (Psalms 50:14; Psalms 50:23), expressed in the terms with which the Psalm opened.