Psalms 118

The Psalmist exhorteth all the godly to praise the LORD for his manifold mercies and deliverances, rehearsing withal how God had delivered him out of the hands of his enemies: also there is a Prophesy here in this Psalm of the people should reject, but the faithful would embrace him.

1. Praise the LORD, for he is good: [David exhorteth all men to laud and praise the Lord, for this reason, that the LORD is good. The words of this verse are extant also, Psalms 106:1. and 107.1. and in every verse of Psalm 136. [for his kindness is Eternity.

2. Let Israel say now, [Not onely the earthly Israel, but also the Israel of God, Galat.6.16. i.e. all the faithful which are truely the people of God, whether Jews or Gentiles. So also verse 4.] that his kindness is in Eternity.

3. Let the house of Aaron [i.e. the Priests of Aarons posterity. See Psalm 115.on v.10.] say now, that his kindness is in Eternity.

4. Let those that fear the LORD say now, that his kindness is in Eternity.

5. Out of distress I called upon the LORD: the LORD heard me (putting me) at large. [Or, into a large place: viz. Bringing me out of straights into liberty, honour and glory, as Psalms 18:20.]

6. The LORD is with me [Or by, or for me, i.e. as the Apostle clears it, Heb.13.6. The LORD is my helper. So likewise below v.7. and Psalms 56:5.12.] I shall not be afraid, [viz. Of mine enemies] what shall a man do unto me? [viz. Such a weak and feeble creature, not to be compared with God?]

7. The LORD is with me, [As before, v.6. among those that help me: Compare Psalm 54.on v.6.] therefore shall I see (my delight) on those that hate me. [See the like abrupt expressions, Psalms 35:21. and 92.12. See also Psalms 22:18. and the Annotations there. [The meaning is, that he shall rejoice in God over the destruction of Gods and his own hardened and unconvertible enemies.]

8. It is better to take (ones) refuge to the LORD, then to confide in men.

9. It is better to take (ones) refuge to the LORD, then to confide in Princes.

10. All the heathens had encompassed me [i.e. all sorts of them; or so many, that it seemed they were all combinded against me, and especially are here to be understood all the neighbour Nations round about, as the Philistines, which hated him, and the Amalekites, which had burnt his City of Ziklag, 1 Sam.30. nay many also of the Israelites themselves, which assisted Saul in persecuting of him] it is in the name of the LORD [i.e. trusting and relying o the Lord my saviour and defender, as Psa.20.6. see 2 Kings 2.on ver.24.] that I have hewn them in pieces.

11. They had encompassed me, yea they had encompassed me, [viz. Again and again with more forces and greater power still] it is teh Name of the LORD that I have hewn them in pieces:

12. They had encompassed me as Bees [See the annot. Deut.1.on v.44. and compare Isa.7.18.] they are put out as a thorny fire: [which flameth hastily, and burneth hot, and raiseth much smoak, with a great deal of crackling, and yet is soon spent. See Eccles.7.6. Nah.1 10.] it is in the Name of the LORD, that I have hewen them in pieces.

13. Thou hadst pushed me very hard, [Hebr. Thrusting thou hadst thrusted me: the Psalmist speaketh here to his enemy, that had handled him very rudely. See Psalms 9:7.] even to falling, but the LORD hath helped me.

14. The LORD is my strength [i.e. he that gives me strength, so that I am able to withstand and hold out against mine enemy, Esa.12.2.] and Psalm: [i.e. the matter and subject of my song. Se Exod.15.2.] for he hath been salvation to me.

15. In the Tents [i.e. houses] of the righteous (there) is a voice of shouting, [viz. For the deliverance which he hath given unto his people] and of salvation: [i.e. victory, as Psalms 98:1.] the right hand of the LORD, [i.e. the LORD God] doth mighty works; [or power, valour, valiantness, as Psalm 108.14.]

16. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: [The LORD causeth his power to appear gloriously and manifestly, so that every one must take notice of praise, and magnify the same] the right hand of the LORD doth mighty works.

17. I shall not die, [viz. By the sword or hand of mine enemy] but live: and I shall rehearse the works of the LORD. [viz. How wonderfully and frequently he hath delivered and protected me and other godly ones.

18. The LORD hath chastised me hard indeed [Hebr. Chastising, chastised me] but he hath not delivered me over unto Death.

19. Open unto me [He addresseth his speech to the Priests and Levites] the gates of righteousness, [i.e. the gates of the Tabernacle, and the holy place, called therefore the gates of righteousness, because none were to enter therein but the pure and godly, as appears, v.20. David was debarred for a great while from the Tabernacle, not daring to come near or into it, whilest Saul pursued him; and now he could freely repair again unto it, and present himself in the congregation of the godly] I will go in there, I will praise the LORD.

20. This is the gate of the LORD, [Or this gate is the LORDS, understand teh gate of the Tabernacle, sanctified unto the LORD, a Type of Jesus Christ, who is the gate of righteousness, and of Heaven into which he in entered] through which the righteous shall enter.

21. I will praise thee, for that thou hast heard me; and hast been salvation to me.

22. The stone which the Builders had rejected, is become the head of the corner. [By this stone, there is understood, first David, who for a good while was despised and rejected by the Princes in Israel, and the chief of the Kingdom, and yet the LORD did exalt and settle him at length in it, to govern the same, and to be as the chief corner-stone thereof: but then in the next place, it must be understood principally of Christ, Typified by David, whom the high Priests, teh Scribes and chief of the people, which were set over the Church of God as Master-builders rejected, persecuted and put to death. Yet God ordained, appointed and settled him to be the head and foundation of his Church, uniting and establishing the whole structure of the house firmly together. See Isa.8.14. and 28.16. Matth.21.42. Mark 12:10. Luke 20:17. Acts 4:11. Rom.9.33. Eph.3.20. 1 Pet.2. 4,7.]

23. This is done of the Lord, [viz. That the rejected stone is become the principal corner-stone of the house of the LORD] and it is marvellous in our eyes. [viz. That such a despised an rejected stone is so highly esteemed and advanced now.]

24. This is the day, [viz. That day David was made King; and Christ was made known by the preaching of the Gospel] (which) the LORD hath made, [i.e. which the LORD hath singled out and exalted above other days; Thus the Verb to make, is taken likewise for exalting or magnifying, 1 Sam.12.6. See the Annot.there let us rejoice and be glad in the same.

25. Ah LORD, give salvation now: [The Evangelists retain the Hebrew words, Hosiana. Matth.21.9.15. Mark 11:9,10.] Ah LORD, give prosperity now. [viz.unto King David, and the LORD Christ Typified by him.]

26. Blessed be he, [i.e. we wish him the blessing of God: it is probable, that the Priests and the people of God, made this congratulation or acclamation unto David, at his entrance into the Kingly government. Afterwards, the people applied them in a shouting manner to Christ, when he made his entrance into Jerusalem, Matth.2.9.] that cometh in the Name of the LORD. [i.e. with power and authority from the LORD, Luke 19:38.] We bless you [These seem to be words of the Priests, whose Office it was, to bless the people in the house of the LORD, Numb.6 23. Deut.10.8. 1 Chron.23.13. as if they said; We of the house of the LORD, that is, we Priests, which are ordained and appointed overseers in the house of the LORD, and to whom it appertaineth to bless the LORDS people: we do bless thee, O KING David, and the people that is with thee. See Psalm 72.on v.15.] out of the house of the LORD. [i.e. out of the Tabernacle in Davids time; but out of the Temple in Christs.]

27. The LORD is God, that hath given us light: [i.e. prosperity, joy, comfort and rejoicing, in stead of sorrow, trouble and affliction; as Esth.8.16.] Bind [i.e. prepare your selves to celebrate the feast, and to sacrifice unto the LORD] the feast (offering) [Hebr. The feast; but it doth here signify the beast, or offering, sacrifice, which was to be offered upon that feast day] with cords unto the horns of the Altar. [i.e. bring your beast for the sacrifice unto the Altar, and tie them to the horns thereof. See the Annot.Exod.27.on v.2.]

28. Thou art my God, therefore will I praise thee; O my God, I will exalt thee.

29. Praise the LORD, [See above, v.1.] for he is good, for his kindness is in Eternity.