Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy endures forever.
Israel should say, “His mercy endures forever.” The descendants of Aaron should say, “His mercy endures forever.” Those who fear the Lord should say, “His mercy endures forever.” [vss 1-4]
During times of trouble I called on the Lord. The Lord answered me ⌊and⌋ set me free ⌊from all of them⌋.
The Lord is on my side. I am not afraid. What can mortals do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper. I will see ⌊the defeat of⌋ those who hate me.
It is better to depend on the Lord than to trust mortals. It is better to depend on the Lord than to trust influential people. [vss 5-9]
All the nations surrounded me, ⌊but armed⌋ with the name of the Lord, I defeated them.
They surrounded me. Yes, they surrounded me, ⌊but armed⌋ with the name of the Lord, I defeated them.
They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thornbushes. ⌊So armed⌋ with the name of the Lord, I defeated them.
They pushed hard to make me fall, but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song. He is my savior. [vss 10-15]
The sound of joyful singing and victory is heard in the tents of righteous people. The right hand of the Lord displays strength.
The right hand of the Lord is held high. The right hand of the Lord displays strength.
I will not die, but I will live and tell what the Lord has done. The Lord disciplined me severely, but he did not allow me to be killed.
Open the gates of righteousness for me. I will go through them ⌊and⌋ give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which righteous people will enter.
I give thanks to you, because you have answered me. You are my savior. [vss 15-21]
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord is responsible for this, and it is amazing for us to see.
This is the day the Lord has made. Let’s rejoice and be glad today!
We beg you, O Lord, save us! We beg you, O Lord, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the Lord’s house.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light. March in a festival procession with branches to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I give thanks to you. My God, I honor you highly.
Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. [vss 22-29]
(Psalms 118:1-29 GW)
It's been said that life happens while making other plans. Interruptions and the unexpected bring completeness, depth, and fullness to our lives.
When these unexpected moments interrupt our life, we may not embrace them because they're difficult. But life is too boring and routine without them. We'd also have no reason to trust God.
Two things stand out to me in this psalm. It begins and ends with the same exhortation and declaration—
Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. (Psa 118:1, 29 GW)
The psalmist seems to exhort himself along with those who hear it or us who read it.
Embedded in this psalm is a Messianic prophecy, an important one. It's a prophecy that Jesus quotes about Himself (Matt 21:42) and the apostle Peter says the Lord's church is built upon (1 Peter 2:7-8).
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (Psa 118:22 GW)
In ancient days, the cornerstone was the foundation for a building. It set the vertical and horizontal lines for the rest of the building.
This unexpected prophetic interruption brings life and depth to this psalm. It makes this psalm more than a poetic musical prayer. It has an eternal message of hope.
The Lord God Himself would come to earth and bring a freedom and fullness of life to all those who trust in Him.
Verses 22 through 27 echo the story of Christ's entry into Jerusalem before offering Himself on the cross to bring freedom and life to all those who trust in Him.
How have you seen the Lord work in your life when it's been interrupted?
Build your life on the Lord and trust the One whose mercy endures forever.
©Word-Strong_2017
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I won't cover all 150 Psalms, but do selective devotionals through the rest of Psalms.
So if I skip one that you like... let me know and I'll try to cover it!
