Psalms 118

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 118

1¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever.

2Let Israel now say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever.

3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever.

4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever.

5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.

6The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see [my desire] upon them that 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.

10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

14The LORD [is] my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

15The voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

16The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

19¶ Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD:

20This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.

21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

23This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.

24This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

26Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

27God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar.

28Thou [art] my God, and I will praise thee: [thou art] my God, I will exalt thee.

29O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 118 opens with a universal call to give thanks to the LORD for His enduring mercy. The psalmist recounts a personal experience of distress from which the LORD delivered him, affirming that it is better to trust in God than in man or princes. This divine intervention leads to a declaration of the LORD as strength and salvation, and a resolve to live and declare His works. The chapter culminates in praise, acknowledging a rejected stone becoming the cornerstone, and proclaiming a day of rejoicing made by the LORD.

Medium Summary

The psalm begins by urging Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the LORD to acknowledge His everlasting mercy. The psalmist testifies to calling upon the LORD in distress and being answered, leading to a confident assertion that with the LORD on his side, he will not fear man. He emphasizes the superiority of trusting in the LORD over human confidence, even in princes. Though surrounded by nations, the psalmist declares victory in the name of the LORD, who is his strength and salvation, enabling him to live and recount God's deeds despite severe chastening. The psalm then shifts to an entrance into the gates of righteousness, where the psalmist praises God for becoming his salvation. A pivotal declaration is made concerning the stone rejected by builders becoming the head of the corner, a marvelous work of the LORD, leading to a call for rejoicing on the day the LORD has made.

Long Summary

Psalm 118 commences with a fourfold exhortation to give thanks to the LORD, reiterating that His mercy endures forever, a call extended to Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear Him. The psalmist then offers a personal testimony, recalling a time of deep distress when he called upon the LORD and was answered, being set in a large place. This experience solidifies his conviction that the LORD is on his side, removing all fear of man, and that the LORD takes his part against adversaries. A central theme emerges in the declaration that it is profoundly better to trust in the LORD than to place confidence in man or princes. The psalmist recounts being encompassed by nations, yet through the power of the LORD's name, he vows to destroy them, likening their swift defeat to quenched thorn-fires. Despite being sorely thrust at and chastened, the LORD's help prevented his fall and preserved his life, leading him to proclaim the LORD as his strength, song, and salvation, resolving to live and declare God's works. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is heard among the righteous, celebrating the valiant acts and exalted right hand of the LORD. The psalmist then requests entry into the gates of righteousness to praise the LORD, identifying this as the gate through which the righteous shall enter. He praises God for hearing him and becoming his salvation, then introduces the profound image of the stone which the builders refused becoming the head stone of the corner, a marvelous and divine work. This leads to the declaration that this is the day the LORD has made, a day for rejoicing and gladness. The psalm concludes with a plea for salvation and prosperity, a blessing upon those who come in the name of the LORD, and a final, fervent thanksgiving to God, who has shown light, for His enduring goodness and mercy.

Core Concepts

  • Enduring MercyThe psalm repeatedly emphasizes that the LORD's mercy endures forever, serving as the foundational reason for thanksgiving and a constant attribute of God's character (vv. 1-4, 29).
  • Trust in GodA central theme is the explicit declaration that it is superior to trust in the LORD rather than placing confidence in man or princes, highlighting divine reliability over human fallibility (vv. 8-9).
  • Divine DeliveranceThe psalmist recounts personal experiences of calling upon the LORD in distress and being answered, receiving help against enemies, and being preserved from death, all through God's powerful intervention (vv. 5-7, 10-13, 17-18).
  • The Rejected CornerstoneA significant prophetic image is presented, where a stone rejected by builders becomes the essential head stone of the corner, symbolizing God's unexpected elevation and central role for something once deemed unworthy (v. 22).
  • Rejoicing and SalvationThe outcome of God's works and deliverance is profound joy and salvation, leading to declarations of praise, gladness, and a resolve to celebrate the day the LORD has made (vv. 14-15, 21, 24).
  • The Lord's Strength and HelpGod is portrayed as the psalmist's ultimate source of strength, song, and salvation, actively taking his part against adversaries and enabling him to overcome all opposition (vv. 6-7, 13-14).