1
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His steadfast love endures forever.
2
Let Israel say: “For His steadfast love endures forever!”
3
Let the house of Aaron say: “For His steadfast love endures forever!”
4
Let those who fear the LORD say: “For His steadfast love endures forever!”
5
Out of my distress I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me by giving me relief.
6
The LORD is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7
The LORD is on my side, helping me; I will look in triumph on those who hate me.
8
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
10
All nations surrounded me — in the name of the LORD, indeed, I cut them down.
11
They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me — in the name of the LORD, indeed, I cut them down.
12
They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire among thorns — in the name of the LORD, indeed, I cut them down.
13
I was pushed hard, so that I fell, but the LORD helped me.
14
The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.
15
The sound of joyful shouting and victory is in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does mighty things,
16
the right hand of the LORD is exalted, the right hand of the LORD does mighty things!”
17
I shall not die, but live, and I will declare the works of the LORD.
18
The LORD has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.
19
Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will enter through them, I will give thanks to the LORD.
20
This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21
I give thanks to You, for You have answered me and have become my salvation.
22
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23
This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
25
O LORD, grant salvation, we pray! O LORD, grant prosperity, we pray!
26
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from within the house of the LORD.
27
The LORD is God, and He gives us light. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, to the horns of the altar.
28
You are my God, and I will give thanks to You; my God, I will exalt You.
29
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His steadfast love endures forever.
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 118 – “The LORD Is Good, His Steadfast Love Endures Forever”
Psalm 118 is the climax of the Hallel collection (Psalms 113–118) and is a psalm of victory and remarkable hope.
The psalmist celebrates God’s faithfulness in help, salvation, and victory, and glorifies God who becomes the cornerstone — a clear prophecy about Jesus Christ.
This psalm was most likely sung by Jesus and His disciples after the Last Supper (cf. Mark 14:26), making it deeply prophetic and spiritually profound.
📌 1. Opening with Praise and a Call of Faith (verses 1–4)
➡️ “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His steadfast love endures forever.”
➡️ Repeated by Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear God.
🎯 God’s faithfulness is the chief foundation of His people’s praise and hope.
📌 2. The Lord Answers and Helps in Distress (verses 5–9)
➡️ “Out of my distress I called to the LORD; He answered me by giving me relief.”
➡️ It is better to trust in the LORD than in man or rulers.
🎯 The Lord is the true refuge in every pressure of life.
📌 3. The Lord Gives Victory (verses 10–18)
➡️ Surrounded by enemies, yet the Lord became my strength.
➡️ “The right hand of the LORD does mighty deeds!”
➡️ “I shall not die, but live, and I will tell of the works of the LORD.”
🎯 Victory comes from the Lord — not from human strength.
📌 4. The Rejected Stone Becomes the Cornerstone (verses 19–24)
➡️ The “gates of righteousness” are opened for the righteous.
➡️ “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
➡️ “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
🎯 This is a direct prophecy about Jesus, the Messiah who was rejected yet glorified.
📌 5. A Cry of Hosanna and Blessing (verses 25–29)
➡️ “O LORD, grant salvation! (Hosanna!)”
➡️ “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!”
➡️ The psalm closes with praise:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!”
🎯 This is a prophetic cry shouted by the crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9).
📖 Main Teaching
- God’s steadfast love endures forever and is worthy of thanks
- The Lord is a place of refuge and help in times of distress
- Victory comes from the right hand of the LORD
- Jesus is the cornerstone who was first rejected, yet became the center of salvation
- The cry “Hosanna” is a prayer of faith and hope for God’s salvation
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Matthew 21:9, 42
Jesus was welcomed with the cry:
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
➡️ Directly quoting Psalm 118:25–26 — the fulfillment of prophecy.
📖 1 Peter 2:6–7
Jesus is called the cornerstone, and those who believe will not be put to shame.
➡️ Directly connected with Psalm 118:22.
📖 Acts 4:11–12
Peter said:
“Jesus is the stone that was rejected… but has become the cornerstone.”
➡️ Confirmation that Psalm 118 is about Christ.
📖 John 12:13
The crowd cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
➡️ This psalm becomes the song of the Messiah’s victory.
🕊️ “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!” – Psalm 118:1
🕊️ “The Lord is on my side; I will not be afraid.” – Psalm 118:6
🕊️ “I shall not die, but live.” – Psalm 118:17
🕊️ “The stone that was rejected… has become the cornerstone.” – Psalm 118:22
🕊️ “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.” – Psalm 118:26
