# Overview Psalm 118 is a profound hymn of thanksgiving and praise to the #Lord, emphasizing His enduring #love and #faithfulness. The chapter begins with a call to give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever. This call is directed to #Israel, the house of #Aaron, and all those who fear the Lord. The psalmist reflects on personal experiences of distress and deliverance, acknowledging that the Lord is their strength and song, having become their salvation. The repeated phrase "His steadfast love endures forever" underscores the central theme of God's unwavering commitment to His people. The psalmist expresses confidence in the Lord's help, declaring that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man or princes, highlighting God's supreme reliability. The latter part of Psalm 118 shifts to a scene of triumph and victory, where the psalmist proclaims the Lord's deeds and invites others to rejoice with them. This section includes the famous declaration, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," a verse later referenced in the #NewTestament to describe [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. The psalm concludes with a procession of praise, entering the gates of righteousness to give thanks to the Lord. The psalmist prays for success and acknowledges the Lord as their God, reinforcing the idea of divine sovereignty and blessing. This chapter, often associated with #Passover and other religious festivals, serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring presence and the joy of salvation, calling believers to live in gratitude and trust. ## Theological Insights Psalm 118 is a profound expression of #thanksgiving and #praise, embodying themes central to the faith journey of the people of #Israel and their relationship with #God. It is often associated with the #Hallel, a series of psalms sung during major Jewish festivals, including #Passover. The psalm opens with a call to give thanks to the #LORD, for "His steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 118:1). This refrain is repeated throughout the chapter, emphasizing the eternal and unchanging nature of God's covenant love, which is a recurring theme in the #OldTestament (see [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 34]], [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 7]]). Verses 5-7 describe a personal testimony of deliverance, where the psalmist calls upon the LORD in distress and is answered with freedom. This demonstrates God's responsiveness to His people and His role as a deliverer, a theme echoed throughout the Psalms (see [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 34]]). The psalmist declares in verses 8-9 that it is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans or princes. This affirms the biblical teaching that ultimate security and salvation come only from God, not from earthly powers (see [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 17]]). Psalm 118:14 declares, "The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation." This statement is a direct connection to the song of #Moses and the Israelites after the crossing of the Red Sea (see [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 15]]), highlighting God's consistent character as a savior throughout Israel's history. In verses 22-23, the psalmist speaks of the "stone the builders rejected" becoming the "cornerstone." This prophetic imagery is later applied to [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] in the #NewTestament, highlighting His rejection by humanity and subsequent exaltation by God (see [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 21]], [[Acts/Acts Chapter 4]], [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 2]]). Psalm 118:24 declares, "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." This call to rejoice in the LORD's actions is a timeless reminder of God's active presence and sovereignty in the life of His people. Verses 26-27 speak of blessing those who come in the name of the LORD and the light of the LORD shining upon them. This is highly significant in the context of #Messianic prophecies, as it alludes to the coming of the #Messiah who brings salvation and light to the world (see [[John/John Chapter 12]]). The psalm concludes with a renewed call to give thanks to the LORD for His enduring love, reaffirming the central message of God's unchanging faithfulness and the appropriate response of gratitude and worship from His people. ## Thematic Connections ### Thanksgiving and Praise Psalm 118 emphasizes the themes of thanksgiving and praise, which are central to the Psalms. The psalmist repeatedly calls for giving thanks to the Lord for His enduring love, echoing similar calls in other psalms such as [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 136]]. This theme of gratitude is fundamental in the life of believers, reminding them of God's constant faithfulness and mercy. ### Deliverance and Salvation The theme of deliverance and salvation is prominent in Psalm 118, where the psalmist recounts being saved from distress and enemies, a motif that aligns with other Psalms like [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 34]] and [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 40]]. The declaration, "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation," connects to the salvation themes in the #Exodus story, specifically in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 15]], the song of Moses. ### The Rejected Stone The mention of the stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone is a profound prophetic theme, later referenced in the New Testament in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 21]] and [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 2]]. This imagery ties to the messianic expectation of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] as the cornerstone of faith, rejected by many but chosen by God. ### The Lord's Right Hand The repeated reference to the Lord’s right hand performing valiantly is a theme that underscores God's power and might. It is seen in other scriptural passages that highlight God's strength and deliverance, such as in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 15]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 41]]. ### Entrance into the Gates The psalm speaks of entering the gates of righteousness, which can be connected to themes of entering God's holy presence, as seen in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 100]] and in the prophetic vision of the new Jerusalem in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21]]. It signifies the idea of approaching God's holiness with thanksgiving and praise. ### Eternal Mercy and Love The refrain "His love endures forever" connects Psalm 118 to the broader biblical theme of God's eternal mercy and covenantal love, as seen in [[Lamentations/Lamentations Chapter 3]] and throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God's steadfast love is a foundation for faith and trust. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Cornerstone Rejected Psalm 118:22 speaks of the stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone. This prophecy is directly referenced in the New Testament, where it is fulfilled in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. In [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 21|Matthew 21:42]], Jesus applies this scripture to Himself, indicating that although He was rejected by the religious leaders of His time, He is the foundation of God's work in establishing His kingdom. The Apostle Peter also echoes this fulfillment in [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 2|1 Peter 2:7]], emphasizing Jesus as the cornerstone upon which believers are built into a spiritual house. ### Hosanna and the Coming King Psalm 118:25-26 includes a cry for salvation and a blessing for the one who comes in the name of the Lord. This is prophetically fulfilled in the New Testament during Jesus' triumphal entry into #Jerusalem, as recorded in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 21|Matthew 21:9]]. The crowds shout "Hosanna," which means "Save now," acknowledging Jesus as the anticipated king who comes in the name of the Lord. This event highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of messianic hope and the bringer of salvation, aligning with the prophetic vision of Psalm 118. ### The Light of the Lord Psalm 118:27 speaks of the Lord being God and providing light. In the New Testament, this is fulfilled in Jesus, who declares Himself as the light of the world in [[John/John Chapter 8|John 8:12]]. Jesus' role as the light signifies His mission to illuminate truth and guide humanity out of darkness, fulfilling the prophetic imagery of divine light in Psalm 118. Through Jesus, God's light shines brightly, offering redemption and guidance to all who follow Him. ## Verses - **Psalm 118:1** - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." - Note: See similar exhortations in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 136]] and [[1 Chronicles/1 Chronicles Chapter 16]]. - **Psalm 118:2** - "Let all Israel repeat: 'His faithful love endures forever.'" - Note: Reference to the nation of #Israel. - **Psalm 118:3** - "Let Aaron's descendants, the priests, repeat: 'His faithful love endures forever.'" - Note: Reference to #Aaron and the #priests. - **Psalm 118:4** - "Let all who fear the Lord repeat: 'His faithful love endures forever.'" - Note: Calls upon those who fear #God. - **Psalm 118:5** - "In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free." - Note: Compare to similar prayers in distress in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 34]] and [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 40]]. - **Psalm 118:6** - "The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" - Note: Also reflected in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 8]]: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" - **Psalm 118:7** - "Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me." - Note: Assurance of divine help similar in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 54]]. - **Psalm 118:8** - "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people." - Note: Similar sentiments found in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 17]]. - **Psalm 118:9** - "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." - Note: Emphasizes trust in #God over human authority. - **Psalm 118:10** - "Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord." - Note: Reference to victory over enemies. - **Psalm 118:11** - "Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord." - Note: Similar themes of divine victory in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 15]]. - **Psalm 118:12** - "They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord." - Note: Imagery of enemies as bees. - **Psalm 118:13** - "My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me." - Note: God's deliverance in difficult times. - **Psalm 118:14** - "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory." - Note: Similar to the song of #Moses in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 15]]. - **Psalm 118:15** - "Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!" - Note: Reference to the "right arm" of the Lord. - **Psalm 118:16** - "The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!" - Note: Reiteration of God's strength. - **Psalm 118:17** - "I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done." - Note: Declaration of life and testimony. - **Psalm 118:18** - "The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die." - Note: Reference to divine discipline. - **Psalm 118:19** - "Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord." - Note: Imagery of entering God's presence. - **Psalm 118:20** - "These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there." - Note: Gates symbolizing access to #God. - **Psalm 118:21** - "I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!" - Note: Thanksgiving for answered prayers. - **Psalm 118:22** - "The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone." - Note: Prophetic reference, also cited in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 21]] and [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 2]]. - **Psalm 118:23** - "This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful to see." - Note: Marvel at God's work. - **Psalm 118:24** - "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." - Note: Call to rejoice in God's creation. - **Psalm 118:25** - "Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success." - Note: Cry for salvation and success. - **Psalm 118:26** - "Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord." - Note: Cited during Jesus' triumphal entry in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 21]]. - **Psalm 118:27** - "The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar." - Note: Reference to sacrifice. - **Psalm 118:28** - "You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!" - Note: Declaration of praise. - **Psalm 118:29** - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." - Note: Repeated exhortation from [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 118#Psalm 118:1]].