Psalms 118
Read Psalms 118 (WEB)+
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.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Psalms 118
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Subscribe free and instantly get “Depth Without Seminary” — our step-by-step study guide (PDF).
One short email each morning. Unsubscribe anytime.
Studying Psalms with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for men.
Chapter outline
How Psalms 118 unfolds
Psalm 118:1–4 Call to Thanksgiving
The psalm opens with a call to give thanks to Yahweh for His enduring loving kindness, inviting Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear God to join in.
Psalm 118:5–14 Personal Deliverance and Strength
The psalmist recounts a time of distress, emphasizing how calling on Yahweh brought freedom, strength, and salvation amid opposition.
Psalm 118:15–18 Rejoicing in Salvation
Celebration follows as the psalmist declares Yahweh's power and acknowledges His discipline while affirming that God did not allow death.
Psalm 118:19–24 Entering the Gates of Righteousness
A transition occurs as the psalmist requests entry into the gates of righteousness, expressing gratitude for salvation and recognizing the significance of the day.
Psalm 118:25–29 Blessings and Final Praise
The psalm concludes with a plea for salvation and prosperity, a declaration of blessing, and a reaffirmation of giving thanks for Yahweh's goodness.
Key verses
Psalms 118:24The key verse encapsulates the theme of joy and gratitude for God’s faithfulness, central to the psalm's message.
Main themes in Psalms 118
Thanksgiving
The theme of thanksgiving is central in Psalm 118, particularly evident in verses 1, 21, and 29. These verses articulate a joyful expression of gratitude for God's steadfast love and deliverance from distress. As the psalm unfolds, the repeated calls to give thanks serve not only as personal declarations but also as a communal acknowledgment of God's enduring faithfulness, emphasizing that gratitude is essential in the faithful response to God's mercy.
Deliverance
Deliverance is vividly portrayed in the psalm through the psalmist's personal recounting of distress and God's saving intervention in verses 5-14. The psalmist emphasizes that despite human opposition, Yahweh's help assures victory and freedom. This theme illustrates the trust believers can place in God's ability to rescue in times of trouble.
Trust in God
Trust in God emerges strongly in verses 8-9, where the psalmist contrasts reliance on God with confidence in humans and princes. The reiteration of Yahweh's support serves to strengthen this theme, reminding the faithful of the security found in divine refuge. Trusting God becomes a core response to the challenges faced by the psalmist.
The Lord's Faithfulness
The Lord's faithfulness is a recurring element throughout Psalm 118, particularly in verses 1, 14, and 24, which celebrate His enduring kindness. The psalmist's acknowledgment of God's past help and present strength underscores a deep assurance in His ongoing faithfulness. This theme invites readers to reflect on God's unwavering commitment to His people.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 118
- Hebrews 13This passage echoes the assurance of God’s constant support, similar to the psalmist’s declaration of trust in Yahweh.
- Romans 8The themes of deliverance and God's unwavering love connect, reinforcing the idea that nothing can separate believers from God's love.
- Psalm 27This psalm connects with Psalm 118 in its emphasis on the Lord as a refuge and source of strength amid adversities.
- Matthew 21The reference to the rejected stone in this psalm develops into a key theme in the New Testament, referring to Christ.
- Psalm 23Both psalms emphasize trust in God as a shepherd and protector, assuring believers of His guidance and care.
- Psalm 56This connection highlights the theme of trust in God when faced with fear, similar to the psalmist’s declaration of deliverance.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 118
- Who is invited to give thanks in this psalm?
- What does the psalmist mean by 'the stone which the builders rejected'?
- How does the repetition of 'Yahweh is on my side' affect the psalm's message?
- What imagery is used to describe the nations surrounding the psalmist?
- In what ways does the psalmist express both distress and deliverance?
- How does the psalm culminate in a call to rejoice?
- What does it mean to enter the 'gates of righteousness'?
Psalms 118: frequently asked questions
What is Psalms 118 about?+
What is the key verse in Psalms 118?+
What are the main themes of Psalms 118?+
Studied in
Where Psalms 118 comes up on ScriptureDepth
Related chapters