For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.
Passage: Psalm 118:1-16
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures for ever.
2 Let Israel say:
‘His love endures for ever.’
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
‘His love endures for ever.’
4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
‘His love endures for ever.’
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my defence;
he has become my salvation. 15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’
A. Find Out:
- Who are called to declare what? v2-4
- What had been the psalmist’s problem? v.10,11a,12a,13a
- So what had he done? v.5a
- How was he answered? v.5b,10b,11b,12b,13b
- What does he feel now? v.6,7,14
- What principle has he learnt? v.8,9
- So what now happens and why? v.15,16
B. Think:
- Recap: what had been the psalmist’s state?
- Recap: how had the Lord answered him?
- What is the end result?
C. Comment:
This is all about giving thanks for deliverance. The overall sense and primary call is to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and His love (v.1). Remember yesterday we said that thanks is a response to the Lord having DONE something FOR US.
The psalmist explains that he had been in trouble with all the rest of the world against him (v.10-12), with the clear implication that they were out to destroy him. They were about to overcome him (v.13a) when he cried out to the Lord (v.5a). Note there is just that one reference to his crying out to the Lord; he’s more taken up with what happened – the Lord answered (v.5b). The way of the answer was to enable him to overcome his enemies (v.10-12).
The outcome of all this is twofold. First it’s about how he feels and second, it’s about what he does. He now feels secure. With the Lord with him, who does he need to fear (v.6), for he can overcome his enemies (v.7). The Lord has become his strength and his means of salvation (v.14). He now knows that it is better to trust in the Lord than rely on supporters (v.8,9). As he result of this he now wants everyone to declare God’s goodness (v.1-4) and he himself is part (implied) of the shouts of triumph in the camp (v.15) for he has been lifted high (v.16).
D. Application:
- When the enemy presses in, cry to the Lord.
- When the Lord delivers, give thanks.
Passage: Psalm 118:17-23
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation. 22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvellous in our eyes.
A. Find Out:
- What certainty does the psalmist now have & what will he do? v.17
- What has the Lord done? v.18
- What does he ask so he can do what? v.19
- Why will he give thanks? v.21
- What has happened to what? v.22
- How does he view that? v.23
B. Think:
- What does he start by saying the Lord has done?
- How does the picture of v.22 also convey that?
- What does it leave him feeling?
C. Comment:
The psalmist had felt his life was under threat (v.13) but the Lord had saved him (v.14). Now he reflects on what has happened and what he now feels. He is assured now that he will live and not die, (v17a) and so he will tell out what the Lord has done (v.17b). The trial he had been through had actually been the Lord chastening or disciplining him (v.18a), but it was a chastening that fell short of death (v.18b). As a result of his chastening he wants to make sure he lives in the place of righteousness (v.19). Different commentators suggest these gates were either Jerusalem or the Temple, but I suggest that first they are simply the entry back into the righteous life, for that is always God’s intent when he disciplines us. The gates through which the righteous may enter (v.20) are not only the gates for the righteous but the gates into the righteous life. He doesn’t enter begrudgingly but with thanks (v.19b) for what the Lord has done in bringing him to this place. He cried to the Lord in the midst of that chastening and the Lord answered (v.21) and brought him salvation for which he is now very thankful.
Then comes a verse which appears as a prophetic fulfilment in the New Testament, but it must surely apply to him first. He imagines himself as a builder’s stone that everyone else rejected (v.22) but the Lord placed him in the place of honour (at the top of the arch).
D. Application:
- God disciplines those He loves, and discipline is painful.
- The purpose of discipline is to bring us into a place of righteousness.
Passage: Psalm 118:24-29
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures for ever.
A. Find Out:
- How does the psalmist now see the day? v.24
- And what does he ask of the Lord? v.25
- Who does he greet? v.26
- What does he invite them to do? v.27
- What does he himself purpose to do? v.28
- What does he finally call everyone to do? v.29
B. Think:
- What do we see about prayer after deliverance here?
- What picture or event is being shown here now?
- What is the obvious outcome of deliverance?
C. Comment:
Remember the context of all that follows. The psalmist had been under threat of his life from enemies, he had cried to the Lord and the Lord had given him the ability to overcome them. How is he left feeling? Jubilant!
It’s a new day! That is his first feeling in today’s verses. Yesterday was a day of threat; today is the day of salvation from the Lord, a day that He has brought about (v.24). But note what follows: a prayer for salvation (v.25), ongoing salvation we suggest. Just because yesterday has passed and he has been saved, doesn’t mean he is casual about today and tomorrow. He recognises that he needs the Lord’s help every day. Next we see where he is, the Temple of the Lord (v.26), as he greets others who would come and join his celebration.
In celebration they would process up to the Temple waving palm leaves or branches (v.27), acclaiming the Lord and the goodness of His provision. This is a time of public celebration. For the psalmist himself, he makes this declaration that he will give thanks (v.28), he will exalt the Lord publicly, acknowledging the wonder of the salvation He has brought him. It is good that there are times of public affirmation that the Lord is our God and at such times we encourage one another (v.29) to give thanks to the Lord for His ongoing love which has blessed us.
D. Application:
- When God blesses and saves you, make sure you give thanks.
- See each day as a new day and commit it to Him.