PSALM CXVIII _A general exhortation to praise God for his mercy_, 1-4. _The psalmist, by his own experience, encourages the people to_ _trust in God, and shows them the advantage of it_, 5-9; _then describes his enemies, and shows how God enabled him to_ _destroy them_, 10-13. _The people rejo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:2. _LET ISRAEL NOW SAY_] Seeing the hand of the Lord so visibly, and the deliverance gained, that _God's mercy endureth for_ _ever_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:3. _THE HOUSE OF AARON_] The priesthood is still preserved, and the temple worship restored.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:4. _THAT FEAR THE LORD_] All sincere penitents and genuine believers. See the notes on Psalms 115:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:5. _I CALLED UPON THE LORD_] I am a standing proof and living witness of God's mercy. Take encouragement from me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:7. _THE LORD TAKETH MY PART WITH THEM THAT HELP ME_] Literally, _The Lord is to me among my helpers_. _Therefore shall I_ _see_ my desire _upon them that hate me_. Literally, _And I shall look_ _among them that hate me_. As God is on my side, I fear not to look the whole of them in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:8. _BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD_] Man is feeble, ignorant, fickle, and capricious; it is better to trust in Jehovah than in such.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:9. _IN PRINCES._] Men of high estate are generally _proud,_ _vain-glorious, self-confident_, and _rash_: it is better to trust in God than in them. Often they _cannot_ deliver, and often they _will_ _not_ when they _can_. However, in the concerns of our _salvation_, and in matters w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:10. _ALL NATIONS COMPASSED ME ABOUT_] This is by some supposed to relate to David, at the commencement of his reign, when all the neighbouring Philistine nations endeavoured to prevent him from establishing himself in the kingdom. Others suppose it may refer to the Samaritans, Idume... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:12. _THEY COMPASSED ME ABOUT LIKE BEES; THEY ARE QUENCHED_ _AS THE FIRE OF THORNS_] I shall refer to Dr. _Delaney's_ note on this passage. The reader has here in miniature two of the finest images in Homer; which, if his curiosity demands to be gratified, he will find illustrated an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:13. _THOU HAST THRUST SORE AT ME_] In pushing thou hast pushed me that I might fall. _BUT THE LORD HELPED ME._] Though he possessed skill, courage, and strength, yet these could not have prevailed had not God been his _helper_; and to him he gives the glory of the victory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:15. _THE VOICE OF REJOICING_] _Formerly_ there was nothing but wailings; but _now_ there is universal joy because of the _salvation_-the deliverance, which God has wrought for us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:16. _THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD IS EXALTED_] Jehovah _lifted_ _up_ his right hand, and with it performed prodigies of power.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:17. _I SHALL NOT DIE_] I was nigh unto death; but I am preserved,-preserved to publish the wondrous works of the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:19. _OPEN TO ME THE GATES_] Throw open the doors of the temple, that I may enter and perform my vows unto the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:20. _THIS GATE OF THE LORD_] Supposed to be the answer of the Levites to the request of the king.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:21. _I WILL PRAISE THEE_] He is now got within the gates, and breaks out into thanksgivings for the mercies he had received. _He is become my salvation_-he himself hath saved me from all mine enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:22-19. _THE STONE_ WHICH _THE BUILDERS REFUSED_] See a full elucidation of these two verses in _Clarke's notes on "_Matthew 21:42_"_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:23. Psalms 118:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:24. _THIS_ IS _THE DAY_ WHICH _THE LORD HATH MADE_] As the Lord hath called me to triumph, this is the day which he hath appointed for that purpose. This is a _gracious opportunity_; I will improve it to his glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:25. _SAVE NOW, I BESEECH THEE_] These words were sung by the Jews on the feast of tabernacles, when carrying green branches in their hands; and from the הושיעה נא _hoshiah nna_, we have the word _hosanna_. This was sung by the Jewish children when Christ made his public entry into J... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:26. _WE HAVE BLESSED YOU_] The answer of the Levities to the king.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:27. _GOD_ IS _THE L__ord_] Rather אל יהוה _El Yehovah_, the strong God Jehovah. _WHICH HATH SHOWED US LIGHT_] ויאר לנו _vaiyaer lanu_, "And he will illuminate us." Perhaps at this time a Divine splendour shone upon the whole procession; a proof of God's approbation. _BIND THE SAC... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 118:29. _O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD_] This is the general doxology or chorus. All join in thanksgiving, and they _end_ as they began: "His mercy endureth for ever." It began at the creation of man; it will continue till the earth is burnt up. ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEENTH PSA... [ Continue Reading ]