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Psalms 118

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[1]An exhortation to praise God for his mercy. [5]The Psalmist by his own experience sheweth how good it is to trust in God. [19]Under the type of the Psalmist the coming of Christ in his kingdom is expressed.

1. O GIVE thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

2. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

3. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

4. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

5. I called upon 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 unto me?

7. The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon 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.

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

11. They compassed me about; yea, 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. Thou hast 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.

15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

16. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

17. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

18. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

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 thee: for thou hast heard me, and art 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 marvellous in our eyes.

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

25. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

27. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

29. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Metrical version

Psalm 118

C.M. Cheshire

O praise the LORD, for he is good;
his mercy lasteth ever.
Let those of Israel now say,
His mercy faileth never.

Now let the house of Aaron say,
His mercy lasteth ever.
Let those that fear the LORD now say,
His mercy faileth never.

I in distress called on the LORD;
the LORD did answer me:
He in a large place did me set,
from trouble made me free.

The mighty LORD is on my side,
I will not be afraid;
For anything that man can do
I shall not be dismayed.

The LORD doth take my part with them
that help to succour me:
Therefore on those that do me hate
I my desire shall see.

Better it is to trust in GOD
than trust in man's defence;
Better to trust in GOD than make
princes our confidence.

The nations, joining all in one,
did compass me about:
But in the LORD's most holy name
I shall them all root out.

They compassed me about; I say,
they compassed me about:
But in the LORD's most holy name
I shall them all root out.

Like bees they compassed me about;
like unto thorns that flame
They quenched are: for them shall I
destroy in GOD's own name.

Thou sore hast thrust, that I might fall,
but my LORD helped me.
GOD my salvation is become,
my strength and song is he.

In dwellings of the righteous
is heard the melody
Of joy and health: the LORD's right hand
doth ever valiantly.

The right hand of the mighty LORD
exalted is on high;
The right hand of the mighty LORD
doth ever valiantly.

I shall not die, but live, and shall
the works of GOD discover.
The LORD hath me chastised sore,
but not to death given over.

O set ye open unto me
the gates of righteousness;
Then will I enter into them,
and I the LORD will bless.

This is the gate of GOD, by it
the just shall enter in.
Thee will I praise, for thou me heard'st,
and hast my safety been.

That stone is made head cornerstone,
which builders did despise:
This is the doing of the LORD,
and wondrous in our eyes.

This is the day GOD made, in it
we'll joy triumphantly.
Save now, I pray thee, LORD; I pray,
send now prosperity.

Blessed is he in GOD's great name
that cometh us to save:
We, from the house which to the LORD
pertains, you blessed have.

God is the LORD, who unto us
hath made light to arise:
Bind ye unto the altar's horns
with cords the sacrifice.

Thou art my God, I'll thee exalt;
my God, I will thee praise.
Give thanks to GOD, for he is good:
his mercy lasts always.
This psalm was probably composed by David, soon after his advancement to, and settlement on his throne, 2 Sam. 8. And contains, (1.) His earnest exhortations to persons of all ranks, offices, and states, to praise the Lord, for his everlasting mercy and kindness, ver. 1-4. (2.) By a recital of the great and gracious things which God had done for him, he encourageth himself and others to trust in God alone, ver. 5-18. (3.) His thanksgivings for God's advancement of him to the throne, notwithstanding of all opposition - as typical of the exaltation of Jesus Christ, ver. 19-23. (4.) His, and the priests' and people's triumph, in the expected prosperity of his reign; and of the flourishing of the kingdom of Christ, ver. 24-29.


While I sing, let my soul soar aloft to Jesus and his sure mercies. Let me behold him, who for the suffering of death was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour; having all his enemies put under his feet, but himself invested with all power in heaven and in earth; and furnished with all gifts for men, yea, for the rebellious also, that God the Lord may dwell among them; and, as the God of their salvation, daily load them with benefits. Let me rejoice in his highness, and have myself, and all my services, bound with cords to his altar. And God forbid I should conclude the notes, without entering into the very marrow of the sense. Thou art My God, I'll thee exalt; My God, I will thee praise.