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Psalm 118 (MacDonald)

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997). Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 117–118:29). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The following is taken from MacDonald, 1997.

The occasion of this magnificent chorus of praise is the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The scene is Jerusalem where the crowds have gathered to celebrate the Advent of Israel’s long-awaited Messiah. In the shadow of the temple, a soloist takes his place at the microphone, the choir standing behind him. A hush comes over the audience.

118:1        SOLOIST: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

CHOIR:     For His mercy endures forever.

(All over the audience heads are nodding in hearty assent.)

118:2     SOLOIST: Let Israel now say,

CHOIR:     “His mercy endures forever.”

118:3     SOLOIST: Let the house of Aaron now say,

CHOIR:     “His mercy endures forever.”

(Deep-throated “Amens” rise from the priests who are standing at the temple door.)

118:4     SOLOIST: Let those who fear the Lord now say,

CHOIR:     “His mercy endures forever.”

(At this, a company of God-fearing Gentiles bite their lips and fight back tears of gratitude for the grace that enables them to share in the glory of this moment.)

118:5–9  SOLOIST: I called on the Lord in distress;

The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

What can man do to me?

The Lord is for me among those who help me;

Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in man.

It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in princes.

(The crowd understands that this is the language of the faithful remnant of Israel, marvelously preserved by God during the Tribulation Period. They have learned to trust in God alone, and have lost their fear of men. At last they realize that it is better to trust in the Lord than even princes, that is, the best of men.)

118:10    SOLOIST: All nations surrounded me,

CHOIR:     But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

118:11    SOLOIST: They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;

CHOIR:     But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

118:12    SOLOIST: They surrounded me like bees;

They were quenched like a fire of thorns;

(Thornbushes make a spectacular blaze but die down quickly.)

CHOIR:     For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

118:13, 14   SOLOIST:       You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me.

The Lord is my strength and song.

And He has become my salvation.

(The soloist is referring in verse 13 to the Antichrist and to his bestial treatment of the remnant for their refusal to buckle under to his demands. In the nick of time the Lord intervened and cast the false messiah into the lake of fire [Rev. 19:19, 20

118:15, 16  SOLOIST:       The voice of rejoicing and salvation

Is in the tents of the righteous;

(All over Israel there is unrestrained jubilation over the triumph of the Messiah. In every home the people are singing the following song of victory.)

CHOIR:    The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

The right hand of the Lord is exalted;

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

118:17, 18   SOLOIST:       I shall not die, but live,

And declare the works of the Lord.

The Lord has chastened me severely,

But He has not given me over to death.

(Speaking as the remnant, the soloist recalls the many pogroms against the Jews and their close calls with extinction. But the Lord miraculously rescued them from the mouth of the lion, and now they face the future with confidence and security.)

118:19, 20  SOLOIST:       Open to me the gates of righteousness;

I will go through them,

And I will praise the Lord.

(Redeemed Israel seeks admission to the temple courts in order to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord. The sacrificial system will be partially reinstituted during Christ’s reign with the sacrifices looking back to Calvary, that is, they will be commemorative.)

CHOIR:    This is the gate of the Lord;

Through which the righteous shall enter.

(These are the words of those Levites who are doorkeepers at the temple. They explain that this gate belongs to Jehovah and is for the use of those godly ones who wish to draw near to Him.)

118:21, 22  SOLOIST:       I will praise You,

For You have answered me,

And have become my salvation.

(Israel acclaims the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior.)

CHOIR:     The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone.

(The Lord Jesus is the stone. The builders were the Jewish people, and especially their leaders, who rejected Him at His First Advent. Now the people of Israel confess what Parker calls “the stupidity of the specialists” as they see the despised Nazarene crowned with glory and honor. The rejected stone has become the Headstone of the corner [ASV]. There is some question as to whether the headstone is:

1.  the cornerstone of a building.

2.  the keystone of an arch.

3.  the topmost stone of a pyramid.

Whichever is the correct view, the context demands the thought of highest honor.)

118:23                     This was the Lord’s doing;

It is marvelous in our eyes.

(The choir represents Israel as acknowledging that it is Jehovah who has given the Lord Jesus His proper place in the hearts and affections of His people. The crowning day has come at last!)

118:24                    This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

(Barnes writes: “As if it were a new day, made for this very occasion, a day which the people did not expect to see, and which seemed therefore to have been created out of the ordinary course, and added to the other days.” [p 173-174])

118:25                      Save now, I pray, O Lord;

O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity!

(This is the verse which the people of Jerusalem quoted at the time of Christ’s so-called triumphal entry; “Hosanna” is the original word for “Save now” [Matt. 21:9]. But they soon changed their welcome to a call for His execution. Now, however, Israel is welcoming the Lord in the day of His power, and their sentiments are both sincere and lasting.)

118:26     SOLOIST: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;

(As the Lord approaches the temple area, the chief singer chants the blessing of the people in clarion tones. It is an historic moment. Centuries before, Jesus had warned the people of Israel that they would not see Him again until they said, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” [Matt. 23:39]. Now at last they gladly acknowledge Him as their Messiah and King.)

CHOIR:    We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

(Perhaps this is the blessing of the priests, standing inside the door of the temple.)

118:27                      God is the Lord, and He has given us light;

Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

(The congregation of Israel worships Jesus as God and as the One who has brought light to their darkened hearts. As the procession moves toward the brazen altar, with Him at the forefront, they call for cords to bind the sacrifice.)

118:28, 29    SOLOIST:       You are my God, and I will praise You;

You are my God, I will exalt You.

(The Lord Jesus Christ is confessed as God by a people who formerly used His name as a by-word.)

CHOIR:          Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

For His mercy endures forever.

(The song has risen to a crescendo of deep, deep praise and worship. The music reverberates through the surrounding streets of old Jerusalem. Then as it dies away, the people return to their dwellings to enjoy the wonderful thousand-year kingdom of the glorious Lord whose right it is to reign.) Endnote

Psalm 117

The end of this psalm is for us to consider whether indeed are praising God with our lives. Are we causing others to praise Him too?

Psalm 117

The fifth of the Hallel Psalms

Welcome to the shortest chapter in the Bible. This chapter has been presented as the central chapter in the Bible (Psalm 118 is argued by some to be the center). Paul quotes verse one in Romans 15.11 in his treatise on the gospel being presented to all the world. Being the center chapter, it would seem appropriate that the gospel is here presented to all mankind. Luther, it is believed, is to have said that the entire book of Acts was written because of Psalm 117.

The end of this psalm is for us to consider whether indeed are praising God with our lives. Are we causing others to praise Him too?

Psalm 116

Psalm 116

The fourth of the Hallel Psalms

  • Verses 1-2-We are to praise God, here it is due to God’s desire to hear and answer our prayers.
  • Verses 3-11-God hears our prayers and will deliver us from them. This deliverance may not be as we deemed but as He willed, which is better by far. The psalmist tells us that he believed even when he spoke forth doubt. Paul quotes this verse in 2 Corinthians 4.12-13.
  • Verses 12-18-We are to praise God for He is worthy of the praise. Verses 12-14 remind us to partake of the Lord’s Supper and of offering in the church assembly. Are you actively involved in your church? The Cup of Salvation is the third cup of the Passover.
  • Verse 19-Praise Him publicly not merely in your head, heart, or home.

Notice how the psalmist responds to God’s goodness (Henry, M, 1996). We call this worship.

  • He will love God (1)
  • He will continue to call upon him (2, 13, 17)
  • He will rest in him (7)
  • He will walk before him (9)
  • He will pay his vows of thanksgiving, in which he will own the tender regard God had to him, and this publicly (13–15, 17–19)
  • He will continue God’s faithful servant to his life’s end (16)

How does your worship measure up to this standard? What can you do today to change that?

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Psalm 115

The theme throughout this psalm is the glory belongs to God not to us, not to our possessions, not to our idols, but to Him alone. What have you chosen to replace Him within your life? Remove it!

Psalm 115 (Cf. Psalm 135.15-18)

The third of the Hallel Psalms

  • Verses 1-8-Honor Him for He is God alone.
  • Verses 9-11-Trust Him for He can help alone.
  • Verses 12-18-Praise Him for He is worthy alone.

The theme throughout this psalm is the glory belongs to God not to us, not to our possessions, not to our idols, but to Him alone. What have you chosen to replace Him within your life? Remove it!

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No Unto Us (Psalm 115) at Shadow Mountain Community Church Choir and Orchestra (Pastor Dr. David Jeremiah) sung by Joi Bowling

Psalm 114

When God is present, the world will know He is there. Does the world take notice when we are there? Do they see Him in us?

Psalm 114 (Cf. Exodus 14.1-31 with Joshua 3.17 and Exodus 17.6 with Numbers 20.1-13)

The second of the Hallel Psalms.

All nature trembles at the presence of its Creator. Shouldn’t we? If man were to stop praising God, the rocks would shout forth His praise (Luke 19.40). Why are we silent?

When God is present, the world will know He is there. Does the world take notice when we are there? Do they see Him in us?

Psalm 113

As God is in this world, so are we to be in this world. Do you walk by the poor and needy or do you stoop to help those in need? What would Jesus say about your actions and attitude? Take a moment to read Matthew 24-25 and listen to Keith Green’s song The Sheep and the Goats. There is no faith without action for faith creates action (James 2.14-26).

Psalm 113 (cf. Philippians 2.5-8 [He is immanent] and 1 Timothy 6.11-16 [He is transcendent])

This is the first of the Hallel Psalms or Praise Psalms used at the Passover Meal (Psalms 113-118, 136). Some have attributed this psalm to Samuel because the reference in verse nine imitating 1 Samuel 2.5, 8. Although this could be, it is not the view held here.

  • Verses 1-3-A call to praise God. All those who are His are to praise Him. We praise Him by thanking Him for who He is in our lives. We are to do this perpetually and everywhere our feet trod.
  • Verses 4-6-He is to be praised because He is great, He is without equal, and He has humbled Himself to be concerned with the affairs of man.
  • Verses 7-9-He is to be praised because He cares for the poor, needy, and barren, which are examples of His humbling of self to care for the needs of man.

As God is in this world, so are we to be in this world. Do you walk by the poor and needy or do you stoop to help those in need? What would Jesus say about your actions and attitude? Take a moment to read Matthew 24-25 and listen to Keith Green’s song The Sheep and the Goats. There is no faith without action for faith creates action (James 2.14-26).

Is God conceited? Read these articles by John Piper and NewLife Christian Fellowship to determine for yourself.

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Psalm 112

We become consumed with raising our families and making ends meet in this life. We become anxious for everything. This psalm states that God will care for the family and provide for those who earnestly seek Him (Matthew 6.25-34). We can remove anxiety by trusting Him to do what He said He would do (Philippians 4.4-9).

Psalm 112
This psalm begins where Psalm 111 ends. It also mimics the acrostic in the same manner (eight verses with two letters and two verses with three letters). It mimics the outline with a change at the ending. The topic of Psalm 111 is God in His holiness and this psalm is the holiness of the man who follows God.
Verse 1-A call to praise God
Verses 2-9-God is worthy of praise based on what He has done. As with Psalm 111, we should praise God because He is upright, righteous, gracious, compassionate, generous, true, steadfast, benevolent. The rewards for those who fear Him are also great. We will prosper, have insight into His Word, find goodness and security, be generous, have no fear, while growing in honor.
Verse 10-The wicked will be destroyed because they do not seek Him, He cannot bless them as He does those who fear Him.

We become consumed with raising our families and making ends meet in this life. We become anxious for everything. This psalm states that God will care for the family and provide for those who earnestly seek Him (Matthew 6.25-34). We can remove anxiety by trusting Him to do what He said He would do (Philippians 4.4-9).

Psalm 111

True worship is to see God’s works and praise Him for them, to see the truth of God’s Word and praise Him for it, and, then, to go out and apply what you have seen and what you have read. Is this your daily activity of worship (Romans 12.1-2)?

Psalm 111
This is a well-constructed acrostic psalm meant to draw us into praising God. The Hebrew alphabet is presented in each line as presented in the English. The acrostic is presented with two letters for each of the first eight verses with the final two verses having three letters each, which make the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Again, try doing this with the English alphabet and you will see how difficult it is to present a cohesive truth with an acrostic. Great and marvelous is He who reigns.

  • Verse 1-Praise God! We are called to praise God when we are with those who praise Him and when we are among those who may or may not praise Him. Regardless of our station in life, we must praise the Lord.
  • Verses 2-9-Why we should praise God. He is great, glorious, wonderful, gracious, compassionate, provider, powerful, true, upright, holy, redeemer, just to name a few from this psalm.
  • Verse 10-Praise God! When we stand in awe of Him, revere Him, we are beginning to see what wisdom truly is for He is wisdom.

True worship is to see God’s works and praise Him for them, to see the truth of God’s Word and praise Him for it, and, then, to go out and apply what you have seen and what you have read. Is this your daily activity of worship (Romans 12.1-2)?

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Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin

Psalm 127

What we do with our time, finances, and efforts determine the direction of our life and of our family (both present and future). If your time, finances, and effort are based on your desires, your strength, and your understanding, the final outcome may be good but it won’t be great. What are you doing today in light of God’s work and God’s purpose for you?

Psalm 127

This is our first psalm of Solomon or of David for Solomon. He provides wise insight into a home blessed by God. This chapter is also reminiscent of the book of Ecclesiastes.

  • Verses 1-2-If God is not the foundation of the household it will not become that for which God created the family. If you desire more on the family, please post your request. Workaholics are not meant for God’s work. When we do His work, allow Him to create His family, His life in us, we find that His work is not a burden and His work is productive (Matthew 11.29-30). Verse two provides us insight into the makings of the body. God created the body so that it repairs itself while we sleep. Solomon tells us that God provides for us during our sleep. This can be read as God being at work in our work as we rest and it can also be seen as God working in us to rebuild and strengthen us as we rest. Either picture is wonderful.

These verses should be a warning to those who are in school and cram the night before to complete a project that should have been completed over time. A job done for His glory is done as we are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. It does not come in a frenzy.

Zechariah 4.6 directs our attention to this truth. We cannot accomplish greatness apart from Him who is great.

Do your job, your house, your finances take away from the time spent with God, family, and friends? If so, you are building your house on the sand. Jesus reminds us in John 15.5 that we can do nothing apart from Him. What are you trying to do without His strength and understanding?

  • Verses 3-5-We are called to a great responsibility as parents. God has given us a great and precious gift in our children. If we do not submit our lives to the Lord, and give this example daily to our children, they will not submit to the Lord. Our labor is in vain when we choose our own path. Solomon tells us it leads to destruction.

What we do with our time, finances, and efforts determine the direction of our life and of our family (both present and future). If your time, finances, and effort are based on your desires, your strength, and your understanding, the final outcome may be good but it won’t be great. What are you doing today in light of God’s work and God’s purpose for you?

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Psalm 145

We should understand that praising God is not determined by whether we feel like praising Him no more than forgiving another or loving another is based on a feeling. Each one of these is based on a conscious choice to do so. We must choose to praise, forgive, and love despite what we feel or our circumstances.

Psalm 145

In this semi-acrostic psalm (it is missing the letter “nun”), we are called to praise God. We are called to make known His fame to the generation of people to follow. David entreats us to tell of God’s greatness and goodness (1-7), grace and kingdom (8-14), and desire to hear and answer our prayers (15-21). Do people understand this about God as they see your life and hear your words? After reading verse one, we should understand that praising God is not determined by whether we feel like praising Him no more than forgiving another or loving another is based on a feeling. Each one of these is based on a conscious choice to do so. We must choose to praise, forgive, and love despite what we feel or our circumstances.

After reading through this psalm, you should see God as “active, compassionate, faithful, generous, good, gracious, great, judge, king, loving, majestic, near, powerful, righteous, and watchful” (Elwell, 1995). With God being these, it is only natural that the psalm uses nine separate terms for our response: extol, bless, praise, declare, meditate, speak, utter, sing, and make known. Are you doing this?

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