Psalm 118 — His Mercy Endures Forever
Introduction: Psalm 118 begins and ends with a phrase that should help us to concentrate our thoughts on the Lord in thankfulness because “his mercy endures for ever.” That phrase also provides a link to other passages of scripture that can enhance that thought in our memory as it was so closely related to dedicated worship at the temple in Jerusalem. The author and the specific time of writing of this psalm cannot be determined with certainty, but the working of the Holy Spirit gave meaning at the time of writing, and the way some verses were shown later to be about the Christ makes it a rich experience to explore and contemplate their meaning.
NOTE: All scripture passages are from the American King James Version.
A — The Mercy of the Lord Endures Forever
Psalm 118 “1 O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures for ever. 4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endures for ever.”
Comments: The phrases “give thanks” and “His mercy endures forever” began to appear in scripture when King David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 16:34 “O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.” This verse is also contained in the first verse of Psalms 106 and 107, and in Psalm 136 the phrase “his mercy endures for ever” is a refrain at the end of all 26 verses. When the temple that Solomon built was complete, the LORD was again praised for his unending mercy as the glory of the LORD filled the house of God. When some of the Jews returned to Jerusalem after seventy years of captivity in Babylon, they sang together in praising and giving thanks to the LORD as the foundation of the second temple was laid.
B — Call Upon the Lord and He Will Answer
Psalm 118 “5 I called on the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do to me? 7 The LORD takes my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire on them that hate me. 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”
Comments: A similar expression is attributed to David. 2 Samuel 22:7 “In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.” Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” The Lord Jesus clarified the value of that secure position. Luke 12:4–5 “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him.” Verses 8 and 9 remind us not to trust the help of man more than that of our Lord. Psalm 146:3–5 “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help… Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God.”
C — All Nations Surrounded Me but the Lord Is My Helper
Psalm 118 “10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. 11 They compassed me about; yes, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 13 You have thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.”
Comments: Even when the opposition has been exceedingly overwhelming, the Lord has demonstrated his absolute power. Exodus 15:1–2 “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 “For the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” The salvation of the Lord from death to eternal life is because of the righteousness he applies to us when we trust in him. Isaiah 51:7–8 “Listen to me, you that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear you not the reproach of men… but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.”
D — The Voice of Rejoicing and Salvation Even Through Chastening
Psalm 118 “15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. 18 The LORD has chastened me sore: but he has not given me over to death.”
Comments: The right hand of the LORD saved the emerging nation of Israel from the pursuit of the Egyptian army and they greatly rejoiced. Exodus 15:6–7 “Your right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: your right hand, O LORD, has dashed in pieces the enemy.” The LORD had also prepared his nation to understand that chastening is sometimes necessary. Proverbs 3:12 “For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.” Hebrews 12:5–6 “My son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and whips every son whom he receives.”
E — The Lord Has Become My Salvation That I May Enter His Gate
Psalm 118 “19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: 20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise you: for you have heard me, and are become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Comments: The key for the LORD to become salvation for any person has always been faith in his Word. Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Titus 3:5–7 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost… That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Jesus made application to himself as the stone the builders rejected, quoting from this very psalm. Matthew 21:42–43. Ephesians 2:19–22 “You are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
F — Blessed Be He That Comes in the Name of the Lord
Psalm 118 “25 Save now, I beseech you, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. 27 God is the LORD, which has showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you. 29 O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.”
Comments: When the time had come for Jesus to enter Jerusalem, a great multitude honored him as the one coming “in the name of the Lord.” Matthew 21:8–9 “And the multitudes cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” Jesus told the religious leaders that stones would declare his coming if all the people stopped their praise. Luke 19:40 “If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Jesus also declared John 8:12 “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Our Savior Jesus Christ satisfied all the elements of sacrifice to grant us everlasting forgiveness of sin as we place our faith in his grace and mercy to us. Even now we can join with the psalmist in praising, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! Matthew 23:39 “For I say to you, You shall not see me from now on, till you shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.”
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for this wonderful psalm that can help me to keep in mind that your mercy to me endures forever! What a great comfort this can be especially in those times of my life when I need to take my focus off of difficulties, and direct praise to you for your great love in preparation for eternity. I want to call upon you, Lord, in faith, with the confidence that you will answer every request made according to your will. Lord, I want to genuinely thank and praise you for any time you need to chasten me because you do that which is necessary as a father who perfectly loves his children. The gates of the temple in Jerusalem were only available during a certain time in history, but the gate to that eternal temple has been opened to me through your marvelous mercy because you have become my salvation! I now eagerly await that time when I will be able to say, blessed is he that comes in the name of the LORD! You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you. I give thanks to my LORD; for you are good: for your mercy endures forever. Hallelujah!
Published 18 March 2014