Psalms Chapter 118

“O give thanks unto the Lord, etc.] For all his mercies, temporal and spiritual; as all should, who are partakers of them: this should be done always, and for all things, in the name of Christ; it is but reasonable service; for [he is] good; in himself, and to others: is essentially and diffusively good; the fountain of all goodness, and the author of all good things; because his mercy [endureth] for ever; in his own heart, and in his covenant; his grace and lovingkindness displayed in Christ; the blessings and promises of it, which are the sure mercies of David: these always remain, notwithstanding the…”

“This is the first of fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) entitled "A Song of Degrees" (Psa 121:1 --literally, "A song for the degrees"), or ascents. It seems most probable they were designed for the use of the people when going up (compare Kg1 12:27-28) to Jerusalem on the festival occasions (Deu 16:16), three times a year. David appears as the author of four, Solomon of one (Psa 127:1), and the other ten are anonymous, probably composed after the captivity. In this Psalm the writer acknowledges God's mercy, prays for relief from a malicious foe, whose punishment he anticipates, and then repeats his complaint. (Psa…”

“O give thanks unto the Lord ... - Let others unite with me in giving thanks to the Lord; let them see, from what has occurred in my case, what occasion there is for praise. Every instance of a particular favor shown to anyone is to others an occasion for praise, inasmuch as it is an illustration of the general character of God. On this verse compare the notes at Psalms 106:1. The language is nearly the same. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Nations - The neighbouring nations, Philistines, Syrians, Ammonites, Moabites, who were stirred up, by the overthrows which David had given some of them, by their jealousy at his growing greatness, and by their hatred against the true religion. Psalms 118:11”

“Ps 118 With an exultant testimony, the psalmist gives thanks for the Lord’s goodness and encourages others to trust in his faithful love (118:1-4, 29). This poem is the last of the Egyptian Hallel (Pss 113–118).”

“am 2962, bc 1042 (Title), This Psalm was probably composed by David after Nathan's prophetic address; and sung by alternate choirs at some public festival. It largely partakes of David's spirit, and everywhere shews the hand of a master; the style is grand and sublime; the subject noble and majestic. Psa 118:29, Psa 103:17, Psa 106:1, Psa 107:1, Psa 136:1; Ch1 16:8, Ch1 16:34; Jer 33:11 Psalms 118:2”

“The Hodu-cry is addressed first of all and every one; then the whole body of the laity of Israel and the priests, and at last (as it appears) the proselytes (vid., on Psa 115:9-11) who fear the God of revelation, are urgently admonished to echo it back; for "yea, His mercy endureth for ever," is the required hypophon. In Psa 118:5, Israel too then begins as one man to praise the ever-gracious goodness of God. יהּ, the Jod of which might easily become inaudible after קראתי, has an emphatic Dagesh as in Psa 118:18, and המּצר has the orthophonic stroke beside צר (the so-called מקּל), which points to the correct…”