Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Psalms 118
Psalm 118:1Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
This opening and closing refrain sets the theme for the entire psalm: all worship and thanksgiving flows from the reality of God's goodness and His unending, loyal love.Psalm 118:8-9It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
These verses capture the psalm's central wisdom, directly stating that true safety and refuge are found in the Lord, not in any form of human power, whether general or princely.Psalm 118:22-23The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is a key prophetic statement, later quoted by Jesus and the apostles, illustrating God's power to bring ultimate victory and purpose out of human rejection.
Historical & Cultural Context
A National Anthem of God's Unfailing Love
The psalm opens with a powerful call to worship, structured like a grand procession heading toward the temple in Jerusalem. It's a call-and-response, inviting different groups - the nation of Israel, the priests ('house of Aaron'), and all faithful believers - to join a unified chant. The central declaration is that God's 'hesed,' His loyal and steadfast love, is eternal. This isn't a quiet, private reflection but a loud, public, and corporate celebration of God's character.
From Personal Distress to Public Victory
After the communal call to praise, the focus narrows to a single voice, likely a king or representative of the people. This individual shares a personal story of being in deep distress, surrounded by enemies like a swarm of bees and pushed to the point of collapse. Yet, in that moment of desperation, the Lord intervened, becoming his strength, song, and salvation. This personal testimony of deliverance becomes the concrete reason for the national celebration, grounding the praise in God's real-world actions.
A Journey from Peril to Praise
Psalm 118 unfolds as a liturgical drama, likely performed during a festival as worshippers approached the temple. It begins with a universal call to praise, then moves to the intense, personal story of a leader who faced mortal danger. His testimony of God's rescue builds into a triumphant procession, culminating in entry through the temple gates and a celebration of God's marvelous, saving work.
The Unanimous Chorus (Psalm 118:1-4)
1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
Commentary:
Everyone is called to join in declaring the foundational truth of God's unending, faithful love.
God is My Helper (Psalm 118:5-18)
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off.
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
Commentary:
In a moment of crisis, the psalmist testifies that trusting in God, not people, brought about a powerful rescue.
The Cornerstone of Salvation (Psalm 118:19-23)
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Commentary:
Arriving at the temple to give thanks, the psalmist declares that God brings victory from rejection, like making a rejected stone the foundation.
A Day of Rejoicing (Psalm 118:24-29)
24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Commentary:
The celebration culminates in rejoicing, prayer for continued salvation, and a final chorus of thanks for God's goodness and eternal love.
Core Truths Revealed in Psalm 118
God's Steadfast Love (Hesed)
This is the central theme, repeated five times. 'Hesed' is more than affection. It is God's loyal, covenant-keeping, never-failing love. The psalm teaches that this love is the reason for our praise and the foundation of our security, remaining constant even when we are in distress.
Confidence in God Over Humanity
Psalm 118 draws a sharp line between trusting in human power ('man,' 'princes') and taking refuge in the Lord. It declares that human systems and leaders are ultimately unreliable, while God is the only true source of safety and help. This is a call to reorient our ultimate confidence away from the world and toward God.
Triumph Out of Rejection
The imagery of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone clearly shows God's sovereignty. It reveals that God's plans are not thwarted by human judgment or rejection. He specializes in taking the overlooked and despised and making them central to His glorious purpose, a theme ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Salvation as a Source of Joy
The psalm connects God's act of salvation directly to joyful celebration. Deliverance is more than quiet relief. It leads to 'glad songs of salvation' and the declaration that 'this is the day the Lord has made.' God's rescue is meant to produce exuberant, public praise.
Living the Message of Psalm 118
It reminds you that God's love is not dependent on your circumstances. When you feel surrounded or disciplined, as the psalmist did in verse 18, His fundamental character remains one of enduring, faithful love. This truth provides an anchor, assuring you that He is for you and will not ultimately abandon you, even in the hardest times.
This verse challenges you to honestly assess where you place your security. Are you relying more on your career, your financial stability, political leaders, or your own abilities than on God? Psalm 118 calls for a conscious shift to find your ultimate refuge in God's unchanging nature, not in the temporary and often failing support systems of the world.
This powerful image shows that God's evaluation is what truly matters. When you feel overlooked, misunderstood, or like a failure by the world's standards, remember that God specializes in taking what is rejected and making it foundational to His beautiful plan. Your value is not determined by human 'builders' but by the Divine Architect who sees your ultimate purpose.
God's Enduring Love is Victory
Psalm 118 is a timeless testimony that God's faithful love is the most powerful force in the universe, able to rescue us from any distress. It models a faith that moves from personal crisis to public praise, reminding us that our individual stories of God's help are meant to build up the whole community. The ultimate message is one of unshakable confidence: the God who turns rejection into triumph is our secure refuge, making every day a new opportunity to rejoice in His goodness.
What This Means for Us Today
This psalm is an invitation to join a great procession of faith, moving from the distress of our personal struggles toward the 'gates of righteousness' to offer thanks. It calls us to enter God's presence not because we are worthy, but because He has heard our cries and become our salvation. We are invited to make this ancient song our own and declare His goodness today.
- In what area of your life do you need to stop trusting in 'man' and take true refuge in the Lord?
- How can you make 'This is the day that the Lord has made' a genuine declaration of joy, even if your circumstances are difficult?
- Who in your life needs to hear your testimony of how God has been your 'strength and your song'?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
As the shortest psalm, it serves as a concise, universal call for all nations to praise God, setting the stage for the detailed reasons for praise given in Psalm 118.
As the longest psalm, it follows with an extensive meditation on the beauty and perfection of God's Word, which is the source of the wisdom and salvation celebrated in Psalm 118.
Connections Across Scripture
Jesus directly quotes Psalm 118:22-23, applying the prophecy of the rejected cornerstone to himself to explain his rejection by the religious leaders.
Peter explicitly identifies Jesus as the cornerstone from Psalm 118, declaring that He is the exclusive source of salvation.
Psalm 118:14 quotes this verse from the Song of Moses, linking the psalmist's personal deliverance to Israel's foundational story of salvation from Egypt.
Thematic Connections
This chapter explores the theme of God's wisdom appearing as foolishness to the world, echoing the 'rejected stone' concept.
Discussion Questions
- The phrase 'His steadfast love endures forever' is the bookend and refrain of this psalm. Why is this specific phrase so important, and how does its repetition shape the psalm's message about facing hardship?
- The psalmist declares, 'It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man' (v. 8). What are some modern-day 'princes' or powers we are tempted to trust in, and how can this psalm help us reorient our confidence?
- Jesus and the New Testament writers saw Psalm 118:22 as a clear prophecy about the Messiah. How does understanding Jesus as the 'rejected cornerstone' change your perspective on his suffering and ultimate victory?
Glossary
theological concepts
Steadfast Love (Hesed)
A key Hebrew term for God's loyal, faithful, and unconditional love that is rooted in His covenant promises.
Salvation
The act of being rescued or delivered by God from danger, oppression, or the consequences of sin.
Righteousness
Refers to God's perfect moral character and the state of being in a right relationship with Him.
symbols
Cornerstone
The essential first stone laid in a foundation, which aligns the entire structure and was used metaphorically for the Messiah.
Right hand of the Lord
A biblical expression symbolizing God's immense power, strength, and authority in action.
Gates of Righteousness
A symbolic name for the entrance to the temple, representing access into God's holy presence to offer thanks.