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Psalm 118

Psalm 118 is a joyful psalm of thanksgiving, traditionally associated with the worship during Israel’s festivals, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles. It highlights God’s enduring mercy, His deliverance in times of trouble, and the psalmist’s deep trust in God. This psalm also holds messianic significance, with verses prophetically pointing to Christ’s triumphal entry and His role as the cornerstone. The repeated calls to give thanks emphasize the community's gratitude for God's steadfast love.

Psalm 118:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2 Let Israel now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
5 I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me,
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

The psalm begins with a call to praise God for His goodness and enduring mercy, inviting the whole community, including the people of Israel, the priests, and all believers, to proclaim His faithfulness. The psalmist reflects on God's deliverance during personal distress, emphasizing the protection and strength found in trusting Him. There is a declaration of courage rooted in the assurance of God’s presence. Trust in God is presented as superior to reliance on people or powerful leaders. Even when surrounded by enemies, the psalmist remains confident, knowing that God's name brings victory.

Psalm 118:11-18 (NKJV)
11 They surrounded me,
Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They surrounded me like bees;
They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall,
But the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation
Is in the tents of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live,
And declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.

Here, the psalmist recounts how enemies surrounded him repeatedly, yet he overcame them by calling on the name of the Lord. The imagery of bees and a thorn-fire reflects how fierce but short-lived their attack was. God's intervention brought strength, salvation, and joy, leading to songs of praise from the righteous. Despite experiencing God's discipline, the psalmist rejoices in being preserved from death, committing to testify of God's greatness.

Psalm 118:19-29 (NKJV)
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I will go through them,
And I will praise the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord,
Through which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise You,
For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I pray, O Lord;
O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord,
And He has given us light;
Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.
29 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

The psalmist calls to enter the gates of righteousness, symbolizing access to God's presence. Gratitude flows from the heart as he praises God for His deliverance and salvation. Verses 22-23 refer to the cornerstone, prophetically pointing to Christ, rejected by many but chosen by God to be the foundation of faith. The psalmist celebrates God's work and the joy of each day made by Him. He concludes with prayers for deliverance and prosperity, declaring blessings on those who come in God’s name, echoing words associated with Jesus' triumphal entry. The chapter closes with an affirmation of God's goodness and mercy, inviting everyone to give thanks.

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