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Psalms 118

BSB·29 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Give thanksהוֹד֣וּhō·w·ḏū — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → He is goodט֑וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →; His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 2Let Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → sayיֹֽאמַר־yō·mar- — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →.” 3Let the houseבֵֽית־ḇêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַהֲרֹ֑ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → sayיֹֽאמְרוּ־yō·mə·rū- — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →.” 4Let those who fearיִרְאֵ֣יyir·’ê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → sayיֹֽאמְרוּ־yō·mə·rū- — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →.” 5Inמִֽן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → my distress I calledקָרָ֣אתִיqā·rā·ṯî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → to the LORDיָּ֑הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study →, and He answeredעָנָ֖נִי‘ā·nā·nî — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → and set me free. 6The LORD is on my side; I will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be afraidאִירָ֑א’î·rā — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →. Whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → can manאָדָֽם׃’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → doיַּעֲשֶׂ֖הya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to me? 7The LORD is on my side; He is my helperבְּעֹזְרָ֑יbə·‘ō·zə·rāy — to help, aid, supportH5826 — Full Word Study →. Therefore Iוַ֝אֲנִ֗יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will look in triumphאֶרְאֶ֥ה’er·’eh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → on those who hate meבְשֹׂנְאָֽי׃ḇə·śō·nə·’āy — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →. 8It is betterט֗וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → to take refugeלַחֲס֥וֹתla·ḥă·sō·wṯ — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study → in the LORDבַּיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → than to trustמִ֝בְּטֹ֗חַmib·bə·ṭō·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in manבָּאָדָֽם׃bā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →. 9It is betterט֗וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → to take refugeלַחֲס֥וֹתla·ḥă·sō·wṯ — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study → in the LORDבַּיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → than to trustמִ֝בְּטֹ֗חַmib·bə·ṭō·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in princesבִּנְדִיבִֽים׃bin·ḏî·ḇîm — Noble, willing, generous person or heartH5081 — Full Word Study →. 10Allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the nationsגּוֹיִ֥םgō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → surrounded meסְבָב֑וּנִיsə·ḇā·ḇū·nî — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study →, but in the nameבְּשֵׁ֥םbə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → I cut them offאֲמִילַֽם׃’ă·mî·lam — to circumcise; to cut off; to destroyH4135 — Full Word Study →. 11They surrounded meסַבּ֥וּנִיsab·bū·nî — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → on every sideסְבָב֑וּנִיsə·ḇā·ḇū·nî — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study →, but in the nameבְּשֵׁ֥םbə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → I cut them offאֲמִילַֽם׃’ă·mî·lam — to circumcise; to cut off; to destroyH4135 — Full Word Study →. 12They swarmed around meסַבּ֤וּנִיsab·bū·nî — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → like beesכִדְבוֹרִ֗יםḵiḏ·ḇō·w·rîm — bee; a small flying insect that produces honeyH1682 — Full Word Study →, but they were extinguished like burningכְּאֵ֣שׁkə·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → thornsקוֹצִ֑יםqō·w·ṣîm — thorn, prickly plantH6975 — Full Word Study →; in the nameבְּשֵׁ֥םbə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → I cut them offאֲמִילַֽם׃’ă·mî·lam — to circumcise; to cut off; to destroyH4135 — Full Word Study →. 13I was pushed so hardדַּחֹ֣הda·ḥōh — to push, drive, or thrust away forcefullyH1760 — Full Word Study → I was fallingלִנְפֹּ֑לlin·pōl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →, but the LORDוַ֖יהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → helped meעֲזָרָֽנִי׃‘ă·zā·rā·nî — to help, aid, supportH5826 — Full Word Study →. 14The LORDיָ֑הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study → is my strengthעָזִּ֣י‘āz·zî — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → and my songוְזִמְרָ֣תwə·zim·rāṯ — song of praise or musical compositionH2176 — Full Word Study →, and He has becomeוַֽיְהִי־way·hî- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → my salvationלִֽישׁוּעָֽה׃lî·šū·‘āh — Deliverance, salvation, rescue from dangerH3444 — Full Word Study →. 15Shoutsק֤וֹל׀qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of joyרִנָּ֬הrin·nāh — joyful cry, shout of rejoicingH7440 — Full Word Study → and salvationוִֽישׁוּעָ֗הwî·šū·‘āh — Deliverance, salvation, rescue from dangerH3444 — Full Word Study → resound in the tents of the righteousצַדִּיקִ֑יםṣad·dî·qîm — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study →: “The right handיְמִ֥יןyə·mîn — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֝הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → performsעֹ֣שָׂה‘ō·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → with valorחָֽיִל׃ḥā·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →! 16The right handיְמִ֣יןyə·mîn — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is exaltedרוֹמֵמָ֑הrō·w·mê·māh — to rise up, be exalted, mount upH7426 — Full Word Study →! The right handיְמִ֥יןyə·mîn — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֝הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → performsעֹ֣שָׂה‘ō·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → with valorחָֽיִל׃ḥā·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →!” 17I will notלֹֽאlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → dieאָמ֥וּת’ā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →, butכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I will liveאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה’eḥ·yeh — To live, to preserve alive, to give lifeH2421 — Full Word Study → and proclaimוַ֝אֲסַפֵּ֗רwa·’ă·sap·pêr — To count, record, or declareH5608 — Full Word Study → what the LORDיָֽהּ׃yāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study → has doneמַֽעֲשֵׂ֥יma·‘ă·śê — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study →. 18The LORDיָּ֑הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study → disciplined me severelyיַסֹּ֣רyas·sōr — To discipline, correct, or instruct through rebuke or punishmentH3256 — Full Word Study →, but He has notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → given me overנְתָנָֽנִי׃nə·ṯā·nā·nî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to deathוְ֝לַמָּ֗וֶתwə·lam·mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →. 19Openפִּתְחוּ־piṯ·ḥū- — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → to me the gatesשַׁעֲרֵי־ša·‘ă·rê- — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study → of righteousnessצֶ֑דֶקṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study →, that I may enterאָֽבֹא־’ā·ḇō- — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → and give thanksאוֹדֶ֥ה’ō·w·ḏeh — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → to the LORDיָֽהּ׃yāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study →. 20Thisזֶֽה־zeh- — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → is the gateהַשַּׁ֥עַרhaš·ša·‘ar — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study → of the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; the righteousצַ֝דִּיקִ֗יםṣad·dî·qîm — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → shall enterיָבֹ֥אוּyā·ḇō·’ū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → through it. 21I will give You thanksא֭וֹדְךָ’ō·wḏ·ḵā — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → You have answered meעֲנִיתָ֑נִי‘ă·nî·ṯā·nî — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →, and You have becomeוַתְּהִי־wat·tə·hî- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → my salvationלִֽישׁוּעָֽה׃lî·šū·‘āh — Deliverance, salvation, rescue from dangerH3444 — Full Word Study →. 22The stoneאֶ֭בֶן’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → the buildersהַבּוֹנִ֑יםhab·bō·w·nîm — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → rejectedמָאֲס֣וּmā·’ă·sū — to reject, despise, or spurn with contemptH3988 — Full Word Study → has becomeהָ֝יְתָ֗הhā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the cornerstoneלְרֹ֣אשׁlə·rōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →. 23Thisזֹּ֑אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → isהָ֣יְתָהhā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → from the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and it is marvelous in our eyesבְּעֵינֵֽינוּ׃bə·‘ê·nê·nū — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. 24Thisזֶה־zeh- — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → is the dayהַ֭יּוֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → that the LORD has madeעָשָׂ֣ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →; we will rejoiceנָגִ֖ילָהnā·ḡî·lāh — to rejoice, be glad, exultH1523 — Full Word Study → and be gladוְנִשְׂמְחָ֣הwə·niś·mə·ḥāh — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → in it. 25O LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, save usהוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥הhō·wō·šî·‘āh — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study →, we prayאָנָּ֣א’ān·nā — Please; I beseech you; earnest petitionH577 — Full Word Study →. We beseech Youנָּ֑אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, cause us to prosperהַצְלִ֘יחָ֥הhaṣ·lî·ḥāh — To prosper, succeed, push forwardH6743 — Full Word Study →! 26Blessed is he who comesהַ֭בָּאhab·bā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → in the nameבְּשֵׁ֣םbə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. From the houseמִבֵּ֥יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → we bless youבֵּ֝רַֽכְנוּכֶ֗םbê·raḵ·nū·ḵem — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study →. 27The LORDיְהוָה֮Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is Godאֵ֤ל׀’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →; He has made His light to shineוַיָּ֪אֶרway·yā·’er — to shine, give light, become brightH215 — Full Word Study → upon us. Bindאִסְרוּ־’is·rū- — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → the festal sacrificeחַ֥גḥaḡ — Appointed feast or festival celebrationH2282 — Full Word Study → with cordsבַּעֲבֹתִ֑יםba·‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm — Cord, rope, or binding bandH5688 — Full Word Study → toעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the hornsקַ֝רְנ֗וֹתqar·nō·wṯ — horn; power; strength; cornerH7161 — Full Word Study → of the altarהַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ham·miz·bê·aḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study →. 28Youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are my Godאֵלִ֣י’ê·lî — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, and I will give You thanksוְאוֹדֶ֑ךָּwə·’ō·w·ḏe·kā — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study →. You are my Godאֱ֝לֹהַ֗י’ĕ·lō·hay — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, and I will exalt You. 29Give thanksהוֹד֣וּhō·w·ḏū — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → He is goodט֑וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →; His loving devotionחַסְדּֽוֹ׃ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֣םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 118
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 118 is a triumphant hymn of thanksgiving that celebrates God's steadfast mercy and deliverance. The psalmist invites the whole community—Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the LORD—to join in praising God for His faithfulness. Moving from corporate worship to personal testimony, the psalm recounts how God rescued the psalmist from overwhelming enemies and danger, transforming distress into victory. This psalm culminates in messianic language (verses 22–26) that the New Testament applies to Jesus Christ, making it a bridge between Old Testament hope and Gospel fulfillment.

Verses 1–4: A Call to Universal Praise

The psalm opens with an emphatic call to give thanks because the LORD is fundamentally good and His mercy endures forever. The psalmist deliberately summons three groups—all Israel, the priests (house of Aaron), and all who fear God—to echo this declaration. This broadening circle emphasizes that God's faithfulness is not limited to one tribe or class but belongs to everyone who trusts Him. The repetition of "his mercy endureth for ever" anchors the entire psalm in God's hesed (covenant love), which is unconditional and eternal. Application: Believers today are called to join this same chorus of praise, recognizing that God's mercy toward us in Christ is unchanging and infinite.

Verses 5–9: From Distress to Deliverance

Here the psalmist shifts to personal testimony, recounting how he cried out to God in distress and was answered immediately—placed in a "large place" of safety and freedom. With the LORD on his side, he declares fearlessness, knowing that human opposition cannot ultimately harm him. Verses 8–9 crystallize a key biblical principle: trust in God surpasses confidence in any human authority, whether ordinary people or princes. This is not naive optimism but robust faith grounded in God's character. Application: Christians facing opposition or anxiety can find courage in this truth—our security rests not in favorable circumstances or powerful allies, but in our relationship with the Almighty.

Verses 10–12: Victory Over Enemies

The psalmist describes being surrounded by nations like a besieged fortress, yet declares he will destroy them "in the name of the LORD." The vivid image of enemies swarming like bees, then being "quenched as the fire of thorns," emphasizes God's swift and complete deliverance. The repeated phrase "in the name of the LORD" is crucial—it reminds us that victory comes through God's authority and power, not human strength. Application: When we face opposition or spiritual attacks, we overcome not by our own power but by invoking the name and authority of Jesus Christ.

Verses 13–18: Celebration and Testimony

The psalmist acknowledges that enemies tried to make him fall, yet God upheld him. He declares the LORD as his strength, song, and salvation—a threefold description emphasizing that God is both his security and his joy. Though disciplined severely, he was not abandoned to death. This honest acknowledgment that God allows hardship while never forsaking His people reflects mature faith. Application: Suffering in God's hand is redemptive; discipline proves we are His children (Hebrews 12:6).

Verses 19–29: The Messianic Gate and Final Praise

The psalmist enters through "gates of righteousness," leading to the striking declaration in verse 22: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." Jesus Himself quoted this verse (Matthew 21:42), identifying Himself as the rejected stone now exalted as the cornerstone of God's kingdom. Verse 24, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it," celebrates God's work of salvation. The psalm concludes as it began—with thanksgiving and praise. Application: Every day is the LORD's, given to us for joy and service. Christ's resurrection and exaltation are the ultimate fulfillment of this psalm.

Application for Today

Psalm 118 teaches us that God's mercy is eternal, His deliverance is real, and His work in history culminates in Christ. Whether we face personal trials or cultural opposition, we are invited to trust in His unchanging faithfulness and join the endless chorus of praise: "Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."

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