Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 118

by Don R. Hender

There are psalms which have 'musical inscriptions' and there are those that do not. This psalm is one that does not as noted by its lack of the 'Selah' que and any opening inscription to the Musician or Singer.

Scriptural Text [& Editorial] Commentary & Explanation Footnotes ~ References ~ JST

          CHAPTER 118
A Messianic Psalm—Let all Israel say of the Lord: His mercy endureth forever—The Stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner—Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

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.
4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5
   ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah
5^a TG Nature, Earth
   ^b TG Spirit Creation
   ^c TG Creation
   ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of
   ^e Moses 3:5

5 I called upon the LORD in ^adistress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a ^blarge place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not ^afear: what can man do unto me?
7 The ^aLORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my ^bdesire upon them that hate me.
4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5
   ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah
5^a TG Nature, Earth
   ^b TG Spirit Creation
   ^c TG Creation
   ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of
   ^e Moses 3:5

8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put ^aconfidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5
   ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah
5^a TG Nature, Earth
   ^b TG Spirit Creation
   ^c TG Creation
   ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of
   ^e Moses 3:5

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 ^abees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5
   ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah
5^a TG Nature, Earth
   ^b TG Spirit Creation
   ^c TG Creation
   ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of
   ^e Moses 3:5

13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my ^astrength and song, and is become my ^bsalvation.

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the ^atabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16 The right ^ahand 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.

Gate of the Lord

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness^a: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This gate of the LORD^a, into which the righteous shall enter^b.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

The Pearly Gates Much has been said about the 'Pearly Gates' of heaven. And most secular discusion has been the passing through those gates after death. Those who have been so mislead to have posponed entering in at the gates until after their death have either not had the opportunity here or have not understood. And they needs wait for such vicarious ordinaces of the temple beginning with baptism for the dead. For the gates which open upon heaven are to be entered into here upon earth, during this earthly probation. Those gates consists of faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is the truth of the famed Pearly Gates of the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ opened those gates to be entered into by man upon this earth. They are the gates to the kingdom. If you enter in at those gates and remain of the strait and narrow path upon which those gates open all during this life, you will enter into the presence of God in the life here after. This is no such thing as apostasy after death.
19^a the gates of righteousness What are the 'gates' of righteousness? It is nothing more or less than having faith and/or belief upon the name of Jesus Christ, repenting of the carnal way of life, being baptised for the remission of those sins, and then recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost to be a constant companion and guide through out man's walk in life upon that strait and narrow path to God which the gates have opened upon to the benefit of man to become AS GOD IS.
20^a gate of the LORD This is the 'Gate of the LORD'. There is no other way that fallen man may enter back in to the presence of GOD but by entering in at this gate. It was opened unto man by the atonement of Jesus Christ. This is the basic Doctrine of the Gospel upon which its fulness is based. If one enters in by the gate and remains by obedience to God's Law upon the strait and narrow path enduring until the end, that is until death, they are gauranteed salvation and by obedience to the ordinances and commandments they will receive their exaltation in the LORD.
20^b into which the righteous shall enter And what makes the carnal and wretched man of this mortality to claim the label of righteous but that atonement and grace of God by which all sins may be removed from man, having been suffered for according to the law of justice and atoned for by Jesus Christ. By repentance and taking upon oneself His name, the name of Jesus Christ and abiding by His ordained oradinances of salvation, man may claim the title of righteousness as the Lord continues to justify him before the Father by the grace of the atonement.

Heaven's Gate "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying of of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." ~ AofF 4

22 **The ^astone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the ^bcorner^a**.
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 ^arejoice and be glad in it.
**22^a The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner** As referenced by many Jews who believe the Messiah to be separated into two, this verse is said to refer to an aspect of Joseph though we know it is in reference to the Messiah and that Jesus Christ himself ascribes it unto himself (Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:10-11, Jacob 4:17).

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

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 118 A Messianic Psalm—Let all Israel say of the Lord: His mercy endureth forever—The Stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner—Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
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.		4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
5 I called upon the LORD in ^adistress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a ^blarge place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not ^afear: what can man do unto me? 7 The ^aLORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my ^bdesire upon them that hate me.		4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put ^aconfidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.		4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
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 ^abees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.		4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my ^astrength and song, and is become my ^bsalvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the ^atabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. 16 The right ^ahand 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.
Gate of the Lord
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness^a: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: 20 This gate of the LORD^a, into which the righteous shall enter^b. 21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The Pearly Gates Much has been said about the 'Pearly Gates' of heaven. And most secular discusion has been the passing through those gates after death. Those who have been so mislead to have posponed entering in at the gates until after their death have either not had the opportunity here or have not understood. And they needs wait for such vicarious ordinaces of the temple beginning with baptism for the dead. For the gates which open upon heaven are to be entered into here upon earth, during this earthly probation. Those gates consists of faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is the truth of the famed Pearly Gates of the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ opened those gates to be entered into by man upon this earth. They are the gates to the kingdom. If you enter in at those gates and remain of the strait and narrow path upon which those gates open all during this life, you will enter into the presence of God in the life here after. This is no such thing as apostasy after death.	19^a the gates of righteousness What are the 'gates' of righteousness? It is nothing more or less than having faith and/or belief upon the name of Jesus Christ, repenting of the carnal way of life, being baptised for the remission of those sins, and then recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost to be a constant companion and guide through out man's walk in life upon that strait and narrow path to God which the gates have opened upon to the benefit of man to become AS GOD IS. 20^a gate of the LORD This is the 'Gate of the LORD'. There is no other way that fallen man may enter back in to the presence of GOD but by entering in at this gate. It was opened unto man by the atonement of Jesus Christ. This is the basic Doctrine of the Gospel upon which its fulness is based. If one enters in by the gate and remains by obedience to God's Law upon the strait and narrow path enduring until the end, that is until death, they are gauranteed salvation and by obedience to the ordinances and commandments they will receive their exaltation in the LORD. 20^b into which the righteous shall enter And what makes the carnal and wretched man of this mortality to claim the label of righteous but that atonement and grace of God by which all sins may be removed from man, having been suffered for according to the law of justice and atoned for by Jesus Christ. By repentance and taking upon oneself His name, the name of Jesus Christ and abiding by His ordained oradinances of salvation, man may claim the title of righteousness as the Lord continues to justify him before the Father by the grace of the atonement.	Heaven's Gate "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying of of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." ~ AofF 4
22 *The ^astone which* the builders refused is become the head stone of the ^bcorner^a*. 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 ^arejoice and be glad in it.	*22^a The stone which* the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner** As referenced by many Jews who believe the Messiah to be separated into two, this verse is said to refer to an aspect of Joseph though we know it is in reference to the Messiah and that Jesus Christ himself ascribes it unto himself (Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:10-11, Jacob 4:17).
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 ^aBlessed 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.