The Lord Will

Psalms 118

Old Testament · King James Version

Psalm 118 is a communal thanksgiving song that moves from repeated confession of the LORD's enduring love to testimony from distress, confidence amid encirclement, entry through the gates of righteousness, the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone, a cry for salvation, and renewed thanksgiving.

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.

Context

A Hallel psalm with strong liturgical and processional features. Its lines were later reused in Jewish and Christian worship, including Christian interpretation of the rejected stone and the one who comes in the LORD's name.

Themes & application

  • Steadfast love
  • Thanksgiving
  • Refuge
  • Deliverance
  • Discipline
  • Righteous gates
  • Rejected stone
  • Salvation
  • Procession
  • Praise

Give thanks, seek refuge in God, resist absolutizing human power, and let deliverance lead to testimony and worship. Read the conflict language without targeting modern nations, v17 without promising immunity from death, and vv22–23 without antisemitism or contempt toward any group.

Key verses

Psalm 118:6

Trust in the LORD relativizes human threats without denying real danger.

Psalm 118:22

The rejected stone becoming the cornerstone depicts a reversal of human judgment later taken up in Christian interpretation.

Psalm 118:24

The community rejoices in the day the LORD has made; it is not a formula guaranteeing personal success.

Common misreadings of Psalms 118

Misreading: The nations in vv10–12 authorize hostility against modern peoples.

In context: The verses describe the psalmist's conflict and do not license ethnic hatred, warfare, or collective punishment.

Misreading: Verse 17 promises that faithful people will not die.

In context: It is testimony of expected survival in this crisis, not a universal guarantee of physical immortality.

Misreading: The rejected stone language blames Jews collectively for rejecting Jesus.

In context: The psalm speaks first as poetic reversal; later Christian readings must not become antisemitic collective blame.

Misreading: Save now and prosper us in v25 guarantees wealth.

In context: The plea asks God for help and favorable outcome; it is not a prosperity-gospel contract.

Cross-references

  • Matthew 21:42 — Jesus cites the rejected-stone saying.
  • Acts 4:11 — Early Christian reuse of Psalm 118:22.
  • Matthew 21:9 — Blessed is the one who comes in the LORD's name.

Frequently asked questions about Psalms 118

Does Psalm 118:24 mean every day will go well?
No. It calls the worshiping community to rejoice in God's action and gift of the day, not to expect guaranteed comfort or success.
Does Psalm 118:22 justify blaming a people for rejecting God's chosen one?
No. The image is about God's reversal of human judgment and must not be weaponized for collective ethnic or religious blame.

Sources & editorial notes

Translation
Commentary anchored in the public-domain Psalm 118 text used by the site (en).
Authorship
The psalm heading does not name an individual author; the commentary does not assign one beyond the text.
Editorial process
Synthesis checked against five literary movements and safeguards around nationalism, violence, death promises, antisemitism, prosperity claims, and coercive religion.

References

  • Psalm 118 — Primary text and structure.
  • Matthew 21; Acts 4 — Later Christian reception of key lines.

Author: The Lord Will Editorial Team · Reviewed by: Ugo Candido · Updated: 2026-08-22