Psalms 118
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1Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. 2Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever. 3Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever. 4Now let those who fear Yahweh say that his loving kindness endures forever. 5Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom. 6Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 7Yahweh is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me. 8It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man. 9It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes. 10All the nations surrounded me, but in Yahweh’s name, I cut them off. 11They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off. 12They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In Yahweh’s name I cut them off. 13You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me. 14Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. 15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly. 16The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!” 17I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works. 18Yah has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yah. 20This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it. 21I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation. 22The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes. 24This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it! 25Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now. 26Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name! We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house. 27Yahweh is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar. 28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you. 29Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
World English Bible (public domain)
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24
Summary
Psalms 118 is a triumphant song of thanksgiving, celebrating God's steadfast love and deliverance. The psalm opens with a call for Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord to give thanks for His enduring love. The psalmist recounts personal distress and how calling upon the Lord brought deliverance and victory. Emphasizing God's presence and help, the psalm highlights that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans or princes. The psalmist portrays a procession entering the gates of righteousness to worship, and the language foreshadows Christ as the cornerstone, rejected yet central to salvation. The concluding verses are full of jubilation, beckoning believers to rejoice for the day the Lord has made, affirming trust in God's eternal faithfulness.
Key Themes
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