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Psalm 118A Song of Victory1 O give thanks to the L ord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the L ord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the L ord; the L ord answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 With the L ord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? 7 The L ord is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the L ord than to put confidence in mortals. 9 It is better to take refuge in the L ord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the L ord I cut them off! 11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the L ord I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the L ord I cut them off! 13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the L ord helped me. 14 The L ord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the L ord does valiantly; 16 the right hand of the L ord is exalted; the right hand of the L ord does valiantly.” 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the L ord. 18 The L ord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the L ord.
20 This is the gate of the L ord; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the L ord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the L ord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we beseech you, O L ord! O L ord, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the L ord. We bless you from the house of the L ord. 27 The L ord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the L ord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
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8 It is better to trust in Jehovah He appears to state nothing but what is common-place, it being unanimously admitted, that when God and men come into comparison, he must be viewed as infinitely exalted above them, and therefore it is best to trust in him for the aid which he has promised to his own people. All make this acknowledgment, and yet there is scarcely one among a hundred who is fully persuaded that God alone can afford him sufficient help. That man has attained a high rank among the faithful, who, resting satisfied in God, never ceases to entertain a lively hope, even when he finds no help upon earth. The comparison, however, is improper, inasmuch as we are not allowed to transfer to men even the smallest portion of our confidence, which must be placed in God alone. The meaning is by no means ambiguous; the Psalmist is ridiculing the illusory hopes of men by which they are tossed hither and thither; and declares, that when the world smiles upon them they wax proud, and either forsake God or despise him. Some are of opinion that David bitterly reproaches his enemies with their being deceived in depending upon the favor of Saul. This appears to me to be too limited a view of the passage; and I question not that David here proposes himself as an example to all the faithful; in that he had reaped the full fruit of his hope, when, depending solely upon God, he had patiently borne the loss of all earthly succor. In the 9th verse, in which he substitutes princes for men, there is an extension of the idea. “Not only those who put their confidence in men of low degree act foolishly, but also, those who confide even in the greatest potentates; for the trust that is put in flesh shall at last be accursed, but the enjoyment of God’s favor will convert even death itself into life.” |