Psalms 118
Psalm 118 belongs to the “Hallelujah psalms (psalms of praise),” and is known as a psalm that the people of Israel recited together especially during major festivals. It is composed of 29 verses, and it begins and ends with the same hymn (verses 1 and 29: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever"). Along with personal experiences of deliverance, the psalmist also cries out with the community, reflecting on God’s faithful love and the grace of salvation. The entire psalm flows naturally in the order of thanksgiving, petition, response, confession, and praise.
1verseGive thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2verseLet Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.
3verseLet the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.
4verseNow let those who fear the LORD say that his loving kindness endures forever.
5verseOut of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom.
6verseThe LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7verseThe LORD is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8verseIt is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in man.
9verseIt is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes.
10verseAll the nations surrounded me, but in the LORD’s name I cut them off.
11verseThey surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In the LORD’s name I indeed cut them off.
12verseThey surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In the LORD’s name I cut them off.
13verseYou pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but the LORD helped me.
14verseThe LORD is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.
15verseThe voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
16verseThe right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”
17verseI will not die, but live, and declare the LORD’s works.
18verseThe LORD has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19verseOpen to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to the LORD.
20verseThis is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter into it.
21verseI will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.
22verseThe stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23verseThis is the LORD’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.
24verseThis is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
25verseSave us now, we beg you, LORD! LORD, we beg you, send prosperity now.
26verseBlessed is he who comes in the LORD’s name! We have blessed you out of the LORD’s house.
27verseThe LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.
28verseYou are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you.
29verseOh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Main Themes and Symbols
Psalm 118 includes several well-known lines. For example, in verse 22, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" shows God’s providential care of setting even what was rejected by others—reflecting on the psalmist’s personal struggles and the suffering and rejection of Israel—as an essential role instead.
The central message of this psalm is to live trusting in God rather than relying on human help (verses 8–9), salvation that comes when we cry out to God amid hardship and being surrounded by enemies (verses 5–7), joy and thanksgiving that are met in despair (verses 14–21), and victory and blessing proclaimed together by the community (verses 24–29).
Meditation Points Following the Flow of Psalm 118
- Start with thanksgiving and end with thanksgiving: Reflect on your attitude of remembering God’s faithfulness in every moment of life and giving thanks.
- Trials and deliverance: As you recall the times you experienced His hand even while relying on Him in suffering.
- Praise as a community: Consider more deeply the meaning of praise we all proclaim together, not just praise that only I sing.
- The meaning of the “cornerstone”: Think about the lesson that what seemed worthless to people can be used gloriously within God’s plan.
Applying It to My Life Today
- Practice confessing thanks by applying it at the start and end of today.
- In the face of hardship or problems, trust in God’s faithfulness and set aside time to make your petitions in prayer.
- Prepare a time to praise God together with the people around you (family, faith community, friends, etc.).
- Also remember to encourage one another, even if yourself or others—or any situation—seems to be nothing special in the eyes of others, because when they are held by God’s hand, they can be newly used for His purposes.
