Psalms 118 - Introduction

A.M. 2964. B.C. 1040.

This Psalm is supposed by Dr. Delaney to have been written by David after his victory over the Philistines, recorded 2 Samuel 23:12; 1 Chronicles 11:14; “and sung in the tabernacle as an epinicion, or hymn of thanksgiving to God for this victory. It begins, O give thanks, &c., and then goes on with such a flow of gratitude to God, such expressions of trust and confidence in him, and glory to him; and adds to all this such descriptions of his enemies, in such a variety of lights and images, as are the peculiar distinction of David's genius.” (Life of David, b. 2. chap. 9.) The Psalm seems to be dramatical, or composed in the form of a dialogue, in which there are several interlocutors. The part from Psa 118:1-18 was sung by David. At Psa 118:19 he calls upon the Israelites to open the gates, that he might praise God in the sanctuary; and in Psa 118:20 the Israelites reply. David then seems to take up the strain at the 21st and 22d verses; the people at the 23d and 24th; David again at the 25th; the priests at the 26th and 27th; David at the 28th and 29th. This was the last of the Psalms which the Jews reckoned in their great hallel, or which they sung after their passover, and was therefore probably the conclusion of that hymn which Christ, with his disciples, sung after his last passover. It is plainly most suitable to the occasion; and the learned Jews, both ancient and modern, confess it to speak of the Messiah, to whom the writers of the New Testament have applied it. See Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11.