1.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
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.
THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 .
and set me in a large place. The current Hebrew text = with the deliverance of JAH, bammerhab yah (two words). The Massoretic text reads it as one word, bammerhabyah = with deliverance. The Authorized Version and Revised Version transfer the yah to the beginning of the clause, and are then compelled to make out the sense by supplying "and set me". They do not even notice the Massoretic reading. The printed text reads: "I called upon Jah in distress, He answered me with the deliverance of Yah . "The Massoretic text reads: "I called upon Jah in distress, He answered me with deliverance. "
6.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The LORD, &c. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Quoted in Hebrews 13:6 .
man = a man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
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.
It is better . . . Than. Figure of speech Connotes ( App-6 ), repeated in Psalms 118:9 .
better = good. By Figure of speech Heterosis ( App-6 ), the Positive is put for the Comparative, and is so rendered.
trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .
put confidence. Hebrew. batah . App-69 .
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
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.
All. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , for a large number, or many.
But, &c. Figure of speech Epistrophe ( App-6 ), repeated in Psalms 118:11 .
11.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They compassed . . . they compassed. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.
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.
They compassed. Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ), repeated from Psalms 118:11 .
are quenched. Septuagint reads "blazed up".
the name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
13.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
Thou. Does this refer to the "man" of Psalms 118:6 ?
14.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
song. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the theme of the song.
salvation. Compare Psalms 118:21 .Exodus 15:2 .Isaiah 12:2 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for Him Who saves = my Saviour.
15.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
tabernacles = tents, or dwellings. Hebrew. 'ohel . App-40 (3).
The right hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
doeth valiantly. Figure of speech Coenotes ( App-6 ), repeated in Psalms 118:16 .
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.
works. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "work" (singular)
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.
The stone: i.e. the Messiah. See Genesis 49:24 . A stone of stumbling, Isaiah 8:14 (compare Romans 9:33 . 1 Peter 2:8 ); a "tried stone", "precious", "sure", Isaiah 28:16 ; the rejected stone (compare Matthew 21:42 .Mark 12:10 , Mark 12:11 .Luke 20:17 . Acts 4:11 . 1 Peter 2:4 ). The true foundation, Isaiah 28:16 (compare Matthew 16:18 . 1 Corinthians 3:11 .Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 2:20 ).
refused. See note above, and compare Structure, 22-24 with 26-28, above. Here the present Dispensation comes in. See App-72 .
23.
This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the LORD'S doing. Messiah's exaltation is thus like the humiliation (Psalms 109:27 ).
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.
Save now, &c. Hebrew "Hosanna" = Save, I pray. Not a Particle of time , but of entreaty (as in Ecclesiastes 12:1 ). Repeated four times for emphasis. Literally "I pray Thee, Jehovah; Save; I pray Thee; I pray Thee, O Jehovah".
26.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
Blessed, &c. See Matthew 21:9 ; Matthew 23:39 . Mark 11:9 . Luke 13:35 ; Luke 19:38 . John 12:13 .
you. Plural.
27.
God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
Bind. Hebrew. 'asar, to bind, or join. Here, in its idiomatic usage, to join, so as to make ready (Genesis 46:29 . Exo 14:6 . 1 Kings 18:44 . 2 Kings 9:21 ), or begin (1 Kings 20:14 . 2 Chronicles 13:3 ).
sacrifice. Hebrew. hag = a feast, or festal [sacrifice]. See note on Exodus 23:18 , and compare Exodus 5:1 ; Exodus 12:14 ; Exodus 23:14 .Leviticus 23:39 , Leviticus 23:41 .Numbers 29:12 .Deuteronomy 16:15 .Zechariah 14:16 , Zechariah 14:18 , Zechariah 14:19 .
cords = wreaths, or garlands, as in Exodus 28:14 , Exodus 28:22 , Exodus 28:24 , Exodus 28:25 ; Exodus 39:15 , Exodus 39:17 , Exodus 39:18 .
even unto. Hebrew. 'ad = up to or during: i.e. even until [it is consummated at] the horns of the altar. 'Ad denotes progression in time. Translate: "Make ready the festal sacrifice with garlands until [it is consummated at] the horns of the altar. "Compare Acts 14:13 . There is nothing about "to the altar" here.
28.
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
praise = give thanks.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
29.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.