Perhaps the psalmist intends it to mean the sacrifice which would be offered at a festival. ), The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. In this verse, the psalmist uses ‘el to mean that Yahweh is God or that Yahweh is mighty. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me. He is gracious and compassionate. 14b (Downers Grove, Illinois:  Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), Limburg, James, Westminster Bible Companion: Psalms (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000, Mays, James Luther, Interpretation: Psalms (Louisville: John Knox, 1994), McCann, J. Clinton, Jr., The New Interpreter’s Bible: The Book of Psalms, Vol. In the very center. He promised, “I will remember my covenant with Jacob; I will remember also my covenant with Isaac and also my covenant with Abraham” (Leviticus 26:42). This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalm 118:20-24, Photo Credit: @Unsplash Count your blessings, see what God has done.”  Those who follow that program will find strength for their journey. A hymn of thanksgiving, it was a favorite of Martin Luther who claimed it as “his” psalm. Commentary for Psalms 118 . It is full of the great tidings of a risen, … Jesus asked what the master would do to those tenants, and the chief priests and elders replied, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season” (Matthew 21:41). “and he has given us light” (v. 27b). Jesus gave the Parable of the Vineyard and the Rebellious Tenants to the chief priests and elders (Matthew 21:33-40). - Psalm 118:24. In verse 21 the psalmist (and the people) acknowledged the salvation which Yahweh had given them. 14 Yah is my strength and song. Without Him we would surely fall, He is the only One who can put back together all the broken pieces of our lives. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The psalmist intends light to mean spiritual rather than physical light. And though we may know this in our head, it might be hard to walk out every day. This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. Information and translations of psalm 118 in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. There are more Hallels in Psalms 135 and 136, but they are not Egyptian. It might seem odd that, having received salvation (v. 21), they now pray again for salvation. Yahweh is all those things. than to put confidence in man. Verses 10-13 (above) give some idea of the kinds of dangers that Israel faced. You are my God, I will exalt you” (v. 28). Learn more. What does psalm 118 mean? He is a loving and kind God, and his love has survived their frequent unfaithfulness. “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous” (Hebrew: saddiyq ) (v. 15a). “Bind the sacrifice (Hebrew: hag) with cords” (v. 27c). Such a powerful reminder to us: True joy is never dependent on our circumstances. “I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works. 10 Things Never to Say to Your Adult Children, 4 Reasons Why God Doesn't Always Answer Prayers for Healing, 10 Old-Fashioned Tips and Tricks to Make Your Home Feel Like Christmas, Praying Psalm 91 for Protection and Refuge. Psalm 118:6 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Psalm 118:6, NIV: "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.What can mere mortals do to me?" It is marvelous in our eyes. I will give you thanks, for you answered me, you have become my salvation. “This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. This Psalm describes how an anointed man of God was rejected by men but through faith, he became victorious. The Psalmist cried out to God in anguish, he was surrounded on all sides by the enemy. An old gospel song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. 24 This is the day that Yahweh has made. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever!” (28-29) This psalm is the last of the Hallel. So, it’s very likely Jesus and the disciples sung this song in the … 9 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, 4 Let those who fear the LORD say, b. his mercy endures forever. This psalm begins with a call to worship––”Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good.”  In the second verse, it continues, “Let all Israel say that his loving kindness endures forever.”  These verses indicate that this is a call to corporate thanksgiving (thanksgiving by the worshiping community rather than just the individual). “Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,” (Hebrew: tob) (v. 1a). "Be Strong and Courageous"  "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" Yet right in the midst of huge … He then goes up to express his gratitude to his helper. This verse repeats the entreaty of verse 1. Is it the general “every day” that God gives us, or is it referring to a specific day in history? Meaning of psalm 118. The psalmist surely understood the two possibilities, and may have used ‘el deliberately to convey both meanings. and Kahane, Ahuvia, The Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 1998), Fohrer, Georg, Hebrew & Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament (SCM Press, 2012), Freedman, David Noel (ed. Psalm 118 is also read throughout the Feast of … In its ancient Jewish context, Psalm 118 was most likely an entrance liturgy to the Temple, used at the festival of Passover. This is a difficult verse. 22-23). This verse pictures a celebration in the tents of the righteous, whom God has saved. 11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.” Psalm 118:25-27. Psalms 118:24. Allen, Leslie C., Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 101-150 (Waco: Word Books, 1983), Anderson, A.A., The New Century Bible Commentary: Psalms 73-150 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972), Broyles, Craig C., New International Biblical Commentary: Psalms (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999, Brueggemann, Walter, The Message of the Psalms A Theological Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1984), Clifford, Richard J., Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 73-150 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003), DeClaisse-Walford, Nancy; Jacobson, Rolf A.; Tanner, Beth Laneel, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament:  The Book of Psalms (Grand Rapids:  Wm. Above ) give a picture of the Egyptian Hallel Psalms ( 120-136 ) offer praises of a more nature. A writer, pastor 's wife, mom to three amazing kids ( and the killed. Such a powerful reminder to us central chapter of his entire word points to his Son, Jesus the. 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