ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 118
“This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Psalms 118:24
The psalmist calls for rejoicing in the day made by Yahweh, marking a pivotal moment of gratitude and celebration for the community's deliverance and salvation.
What Psalm 118 is about
The psalmist begins with a call to thanksgiving, urging Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear Yahweh to give thanks for his loving kindness that endures forever (vv. 1-4). The psalmist speaks of personal deliverance from distress. He called on Yahweh and received freedom and strength. He will not fear because Yahweh is on his side (vv. 5-14). The voice of rejoicing comes from the tents of the righteous. Yahweh's right hand is strong and has become the psalmist's salvation (vv. 15-18). The psalmist asks to enter the gates of righteousness and gives thanks for being answered by Yahweh (vv. 19-24). He calls for salvation and blessing, recognizing those who come in Yahweh's name. He affirms that Yahweh is God and gives light, and he will give thanks to Yahweh for his goodness (vv. 25-29).
Yahweh's loving kindness endures forever, inviting gratitude and acknowledgment of his salvation and strength.
Psalm 118 at a glance
- Psalm 118:1–4Call to Thanksgiving
- Psalm 118:5–14Personal Deliverance and Strength
- Psalm 118:15–18Rejoicing in Salvation
- Psalm 118:19–24Entering the Gates of Righteousness
- Psalm 118:25–29Blessings and Final Praise
Key verse: Psalms 118:24
One thing to notice
Verses 10 through 12 describe the psalmist's experience of being surrounded by enemies. The progression shows increasing intensity as the nations 'surrounded' him, akin to bees, yet he triumphantly declares that in Yahweh's name he 'cut them off.' The imagery of being surrounded is mirrored in the repetitive structure of these three verses.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 118 (WEB)
Call to Thanksgiving Psalm 118:1–4
1Verse 1. Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,for his loving kindness endures forever.2Verse 2. Let Israel now saythat his loving kindness endures forever.3Verse 3. Let the house of Aaron now saythat his loving kindness endures forever.4Verse 4. Now let those who fear Yahweh saythat his loving kindness endures forever.
Personal Deliverance and Strength Psalm 118:5–14
5Verse 5. Out of my distress, I called on Yah.Yah answered me with freedom.6Verse 6. Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?7Verse 7. Yahweh is on my side among those who help me.Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.8Verse 8. It is better to take refuge in Yahweh,than to put confidence in man.9Verse 9. It is better to take refuge in Yahweh,than to put confidence in princes.10Verse 10. All the nations surrounded me,but in Yahweh’s name, I cut them off.11Verse 11. They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me.In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off.12Verse 12. They surrounded me like bees.They are quenched like the burning thorns.In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.13Verse 13. You pushed me back hard, to make me fall,but Yahweh helped me.14Verse 14. Yah is my strength and song.He has become my salvation.
Rejoicing in Salvation Psalm 118:15–18
15Verse 15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous.“The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly.16Verse 16. The right hand of Yahweh is exalted!The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!”17Verse 17. I will not die, but live,and declare Yah’s works.18Verse 18. Yah has punished me severely,but he has not given me over to death.
Entering the Gates of Righteousness Psalm 118:19–24
19Verse 19. Open to me the gates of righteousness.I will enter into them.I will give thanks to Yah.20Verse 20. This is the gate of Yahweh;the righteous will enter into it.21Verse 21. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me,and have become my salvation.22Verse 22. The stone which the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone.23Verse 23. This is Yahweh’s doing.It is marvelous in our eyes.24Verse 24. This is the day that Yahweh has made.We will rejoice and be glad in it!
Blessings and Final Praise Psalm 118:25–29
25Verse 25. Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh!Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.26Verse 26. Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name!We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.27Verse 27. Yahweh is God, and he has given us light.Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.28Verse 28. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.You are my God, I will exalt you.29Verse 29. Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,for his loving kindness endures forever.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 118
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a foundational element of Psalm 118, beginning with a call to give thanks for Yahweh's goodness and enduring loving kindness in verses 1-4. The psalmist invites Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear Yahweh to join in this expression of gratitude. This theme recurs in the closing verse 29, where the psalmist reiterates, 'Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.'
Deliverance
Deliverance is a prominent theme in verses 5-14, where the psalmist recounts a personal experience of distress and subsequent freedom. After calling on Yahweh in trouble, the response is affirmative: 'Yah answered me with freedom.' The psalmist emphasizes that, despite being surrounded by enemies, they are empowered by Yahweh, who aids them in overcoming challenges, leading to triumph over adversity.
Trust in God
Psalm 118 articulates trust in God by contrasting reliance on Yahweh with dependence on humans in verses 8-9. The psalmist declares that taking refuge in Yahweh is preferable to trusting in princes. This theme continues in verses 13-14, where the psalmist recounts how Yahweh supported him during trials, expressing assurance in divine protection with the affirmation that Yahweh is on my side.
The Lord's Faithfulness
The Lord's faithfulness is evident in verses 21-24, where the psalmist acknowledges Yahweh's answers and salvation. The declaration that 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone' in verse 22 speaks to a fulfillment of divine purpose and faithfulness. The psalm culminates in verses 25-26, calling for salvation and blessing in Yahweh's name, reinforcing the psalmist's trust in Yahweh's continual faithfulness.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 118 unfolds
Psalm 118:1–4 Call to Thanksgiving
The psalmist calls all Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear Yahweh to 'give thanks' for God's enduring 'loving kindness' (vv. 1-4). Each group is encouraged to declare this truth.
Psalm 118:5–14 Personal Deliverance and Strength
In distress, the psalmist calls on Yah and experiences deliverance as Yahweh stands by him, providing strength and support against adversaries (vv. 5-14). The repeated phrase 'in Yahweh’s name' emphasizes divine assistance.
Psalm 118:15–18 Rejoicing in Salvation
The tents of the righteous resound with 'the voice of rejoicing and salvation.' The psalmist proclaims that 'I will not die, but live,' and acknowledges Yah's severe punishment without being delivered to death.
Psalm 118:19–24 Entering the Gates of Righteousness
The psalmist seeks to enter the 'gates of righteousness,' expressing gratitude for Yah's responses and salvation (vv. 19-24). The metaphor of the 'stone' rejected by builders highlights God's unexpected choices.
Psalm 118:25–29 Blessings and Final Praise
In the final verses, the psalmist requests deliverance and prosperity, blessing those who come in Yahweh’s name (vv. 25-29). The closing note reiterates thanks for God's goodness and lasting loving kindness.
Key verses
Psalms 118:24The psalmist calls for rejoicing in the day made by Yahweh, marking a pivotal moment of gratitude and celebration for the community's deliverance and salvation.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 118
- observeIn v21, how does the psalmist express gratitude for Yah's response?
- observeWhat do the phrases 'the stone which the builders rejected' (v22) signify within the psalm's context?
- interpretThe statement 'Yah has punished me severely' (v18): what does this suggest about the psalmist's understanding of suffering?
- interpretThe repetition of 'Yahweh is on my side' (vv. 6-7): how does this build the theme of support in distress?
- applyWhen have you sought refuge in Yahweh during distress, as the psalmist mentions in v8?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 118
- Hebrews 13Psalm 118:6 and Hebrews 13:6Both declare trust in the Lord: Psalm 118:6 says, 'Yahweh is on my side,' while Hebrews 13:6 affirms, 'The Lord is my helper.'
- Romans 8Psalm 118:6 and Romans 8:31Both assert God’s support: Psalm 118:6 states, 'Yahweh is on my side,' while Romans 8:31 asks, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?'.
- Psalm 27Psalm 118:6 and Psalm 27:1Both express confidence in God: Psalm 118:6 says, 'Yahweh is on my side,' while Psalm 27:1 declares, 'Yahweh is my light and my salvation.'
- Matthew 21Psalm 118:22 and Matthew 21:42Both mention a rejected stone: Psalm 118:22 states, 'The stone which the builders rejected,' while Matthew 21:42 recounts, 'the same was made the head of the corner.'
- Psalm 23Psalm 118:6 and Psalm 23:4Both express fearlessness: Psalm 118:6 declares, 'I will not be afraid,' while Psalm 23:4 states, 'I will fear no evil, for you are with me.'
- Psalm 56Psalm 118:6 and Psalm 56:4Both express trust in God: Psalm 118:6 states, 'Yahweh is on my side,' while Psalm 56:4 professes, 'In God, I put my trust.'
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