Psalm 118/fulltext

Authorship

This Psalm is anonymous.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Praise: O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endures for ever. (1-4)

A. Let Israel now say, that His mercy endures for ever.

B. Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endures for ever.

C. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endures for ever.

II. Pain: I called upon the Lord in distress: The Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. (5)

III. Proclamation: The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (6)

IV. Prediction: The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. (7)

V. Peace. (8-9)

A. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

B. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

VI. Power. (10-16)

A. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.

1. They compassed me about like bees.

2. They are quenched as the fire of thorns.

3. In the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

4. They thrust sore at me that I might fall.

B. The Lord helped me.

1. He is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

2. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous.

3. The right hand of the Lord does valiantly and is exalted.

VII. Purging. (17-18)

A. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

B. The Lord has chastened me sore: but He has not given me over unto death.

VIII. Pledge. (19-21)

A. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord.

B. This is the gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.

C. I will praise Thee:

1. For Thou hast heard me.

2. Thou art become my salvation.

IX. Prophecy. (22-24)

A. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

B. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

C. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

X. Prosperity. (25-29)

A. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord.

B. Send now prosperity

C. Blessed be he that comes in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

D. God is the Lord, which has showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

E. Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.

F. O give thanks unto the Lord:

1. For He is good.

2. For His mercy endureth for ever.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 118,2 יִשְׂרָאֵל {B} MT, Hebr, S, T // assim-ctext: G clav בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל

Ps 118,5 בַמֶּרְחָב יָהּ {B} MT, Hebr, T // hapl: G, S om יה

Ps 118,10b,11b,12b אֲמִילַם MT // lic: G, α', σ', Hebr, S, T

Ps 118,12A כִדְבוֹרִים {B} MT, Hebr, S, T // glos: G

Ps 118,12B דֹּעֲכוּ {B} MT, α'σ', Hebr, S // exeg: G, T

Ps 118,13 דְחִיתַנִי MT, T(?) // assim-ctext: G, Hebr, S, T(?)

Ps 118,16b {B} MT, G, Hebr, S, T // abr-transl: g om

Ps 118,27 אִסְרוּ {B} MT, 11Qa(?), G, εβρ, α', σ', θ', ε', // lic: Hebr, S

Ps 118,28 אֲרוֹמְמֶךָּ MT, π', Hebr, S, T // confl: G + vs 21