Bible Commentaries

Psalm 118:1-29.

V:1-4. (Marg. Ref. Notes, Psalm 115:9-13. Psalm 136:1-3.) David is thought to have composed this 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. P. O.) David brought out of the cave, and made king over all Israel; Christ freed from the grave, and made " Head over " all things to his church; " the slave of sin made free, and become the servant of God; and the believer " de" livered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious " liberty of the children of God; " are instances illustrative of the Psalmist's meaning, to which many others might be added.

(Notes, Psalm 31:7-8. 2 Samuel 22:20.)

V:6. " JEHOVAH for me; " (marg.) that Psalm 27:1-3. Psalm 46:1-3. Psalm 8:9-9. Romans 8:28-31.)

V:7- David had for a long time but few and feeble helpers; but the Lord almighty aided, prospered, and increased them; till his cause was become triumphant : and as this had been the case, he trusted that it would be the case in all his future dangers and conflicts. (Notes, 1 Samuel 14:6-10; 1 Samuel 5:6. 2 Kings 6:15-17. 2 Chronicles 32:6-8. Romans 8:28-31, v: 31. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.) How few helpers, and how feeble, had the Lord Jesus, on the morning of his resurrection ! but the Lord was with them, and his cause triumphed, and does triumph, and will still more triumph, till " all kings fall down before him, all nations " do him service."

See my desire, &c.] The Septuagint render this very properly " I shall look upon mine enemies." " I shall meet them with boldness, look them in the face without fear; and witness either their submission or destruction." (Notes, Psalm 54:7. Psalm 92:11.)

V:8 , 9. The unfaithfulness, changeableness, weakness, and mortal nature of men, however distinguished, render all reliance on them vain and insecure : and the Lord's jealousy for his own honour induces him to punish those, who are guilty of this idolatrous confidence, and to encourage such as betake themselves to him in danger and distress; so that experience proves, that it is far better to seek to the Lord in trouble, and rely on him, than to confide in any Psalm 146:3-6. Psalm 31:1-5. Jeremiah 17:5-8. Daniel 6:12-23.)

V:10- 12. The several nations bordering on Canaan confederated against David, and compassed him about, like swarms of bees, as if they would sting him to death. But, depending on the assistance of the Lord, and going forth to battle in his name, he gained repeated and decisive victories over them : so that their rage terminated, like the fire kindled among thorns; which is vehement, and makes a great blaze and noise, and consumes the thorns, and then is extinguished without much effect.

(Notes, Psalm 20:6-8; Psalm 83:13-18. Deuteronomy 1:39-44, v: 44. 2 Samuel 5:17-24; 2 Samuel 8:1-14; 2 Samuel 10:8-14; 2 Samuel 18:22 : v20.) Every victory David gained, was an earnest of further success; and he trusted that, by the help of the Lord, he should be able to destroy all his enemies. Thus the Redeemer, personally, and in his church, has been opposed by all the nations of the earth; but destruction from the Lord is the inevitable consequence of persisting in that opposition, however numerous and formidable the opponents may appear.

(Notes, 2: Psalm 21:8-12. Psalm 22:16-21. Psalm 45:3-5; Psalm 69:22-28; Psalm 105:5-6 Revelation 19:11-21.)

V:13. Perhaps Saul was meant, as that enemy who had thrust sore at David that he might fall. (Marg. Ref.)

When Satan tempted Christ, and when he afterwards prevailed to have him crucified, and assailed him with all his power in that " hour of darkness " he thrust sore at the church, to destroy her at once in the person of her Representative.

(Notes, Genesis 3:14-15. Matthew 4:1-11. P. O1- 11. Note, Matthew 26:36-39. P. O36-46. Notes, Luke 22:47-53. Hebrews 2:16-18; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 5:7-10.) The believer has often occasion to, use the words with application to his own experience, and the temptiitions with which his enemy assails him, that he may fall into sin, and disgrace the cause of God, as well as greatly distress himself; nay, that he may fall into destruction : but the Lord has hitherto helped him.

V:14. " In that he was delivered, it came not of him" self, nor of the power of Exodus 15:2. Psalm 68:4.)

V:15 , 16. David's deliverance from Saul, and his exaltation to the throne, were typical of Christ's resurrection and ascension : (Note, Psalm 2:1-6 :) and on the Lord's day, when his resurrection is especially commemorated, the dwellings of true believers, as well as the places in which they assemble for publick worship all over the earth, resound with the voice of joyful and thankful praises; because " the right hand of the LORD hath done valiantly, " and is exalted." (Notes, 19 -24. Exodus 15:3-6. Acts 2:33-36.) But rejoicing belongs to the righteous at all times; it becomes them, and them alone : and indeed amost universally, the voice of thankful and holy joy is heard in their dwellings, though often mean and poorly supplied; while murmurs, discontent, and complaints of various kinds, are heard in the habitations of their more prosperous and wealthy neighbours. (Notes, Psalm 33:1 . Psalm 97:11-12. Philippians 4:4-7.)

V:17 , 18. The triumph of David over his persecutors was an earnest of further mercies and continued protection; that he mignt " declare the works of the LORD." He had been sharply chastened and tried : yet he " was " not given over to death; " but preserved to be a highly honoured instrument of glorifying God, and promoting Israel's prosperity. Christ, having suffered unknown agonies, when " the chastisement of our peace was upon " him; " was not " given over unto death," but rose from the dead, and said to his servant Psalm 22:22-24. Acts 2:22-24. Romans 14:7-9. Revelation 1:2-20.) By his gospel he declares the works of the LORD throughout the earth; and " because " he liveth," all his true disciples " shall live also." (Notes, John 14:18-20. Colossians 3:1-4.)

V:19- 24. David, preserved from death, triumphant over his enemies, and now going up to the temple to offer his thank-offerings, attended by the thousands of Israel, seems here to call upon the porters and other Levites, to open the gates of the sanctuary for his admission. These are called " the gates of righteousness; " because of the characters of those who offered acceptable worship in the courts of God, and because of the nature of the services there performed. Those who were within seem to have sung responsively, " This is the gate of the LORD, into " which the righteous shall enter : " and then the whole company, perhaps in parts, sang the following verses. (Note, 14.) David's advancement to the throne, notwithstanding the opposition which had long been made to it, was referred to : but the whole passage is evidently a prediction of Christ. When he arose from the grave, he ascended into heaven, as the Forerunner of all his redeemed people; and he demanded the opening of those gates of righteousness, that he and they might enter in, and praise the Lord. (Notes, Psalm 24:7-10. P. O.) The ministering angels may be considered, as opening the gates of heaven, into which the righteous alone can enter; and then the whole church in chorus celebrates the praises of God, for having heard their prayers, and " become their " Salvation." The Redeemer doubtless is also that " Stone, " which the builders rejected," and would have thrown aside as worthless among the rubbish; but which, by the mighty power of God, and to the astonishment of the apostles and disciples, became the chief Corner-stone, sup- porting the whole spiritual temple, and uniting the several parts of it into one building, " an habitation of God " through the Spirit." (Notes, Matthew 21:40-44. Luke 20:9-18. Acts 4:5-12. Ephesians 2:19-22. 1 Peter 2:7-8.) And as the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees of old refused this Foundation-stone of the church; so many of the wise and learned, and professedly religious, of every age and nation ever since, have rejected it, and numbers of them have long endeavoured to substitute some other in its place. But, by the marvellous interposition of the Lord, their attempts have been frustrated, and proved ruinous to themselves and their adherents alone. The day of thanksgiving also, which David and Israel celebrated, was but a shadow of that blessed day which saw the Redeemer rise from the dead : that was indeed " the " day, which the LORD had made," for his people to rejoice in; and it has ever since been commemorated every week in the Christian church, and in most parts has had a more solemn annual commemoration.

(Notes, 15 , 16. John 20:19-23. Acts 20:7-12. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Hebrews 13:20-21. Revelation 1:9-11.) The twenty-second and twenty-third verses are quoted six times in the New Testament, and expressly applied to Christ; nay, many of the Jewish Rabbies acknowledge this to be a prediction of the Messiah.

V:25 , 26. The word rendered, " Save now," is " Hosanna;" which seems equivalent to our modern congratulatory prayer on the accession of a monarch to the throne, " God save the king." It is evident that the Jews had this passage in mind, when they said before Christ, at his entrance into Jerusalem, " Hosanna to the Son of David; "" blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest." They meant to welcome him as the promised Messiah : but they totally misunderstood the nature of his kingdom and salvation.

(Notes, Matthew 21:8-11. Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40.) And our Lord himself also referred to this prophecy, when he said to the priests and rulers, " Ye shall not see me henceforth; " till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name " of the Lord."

(Note, Matthew 23:37-39. P034- 39.) The priests from the sanctuary seem to have answered David and his company, in the latter clause, " We " have blessed you out of the house of the LORD."

V:27- 29. The whole congregation, having now met in the courts of the sanctuary, joined in solemn sacrifices and ardent praises; which were typical of the joy and praise of the church, on earth and in heaven, on account of the Redeemer's exaltation. (Marg. Ref. Notes, 1- 4. Psalm 136:1-3.)

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V:1-18.

Whether the believer reviews his past experience, or traces back his comforts to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God; or whether he looks forward, and anticipates, in lively hope, those future blessings, which are secured to him by the promises of the new covenant; he will be sure to find abundant cause for joy and praise : and when thus excited to rejoice in God and celebrate his praises with lively gratitude, he will desire to animate others in their several stations, to unite in this delightful work : and this always was, and always will be, the substance of the redeemed sinner's grateful Psalm 2:8-9.) Our thanksgivings on earth must always be accompanied with prayers for further mercies, and the continuance of our prosperity; our Hallelujahs, with Hosannas. We should ever pray for those, who " come in the " name of the LORD," and who evidently, in their proper station, act by his authority and for his glory : and the blessings of his servants, out of his sanctuary, should be much valued by the greatest of princes, as highly conducive to their prosperity. All our success should animate us to abound in spiritual sacrifices to the Lord, who gives us light and comfort. If he is our God, our Portion, and Salvation, the Object of our cordial worship, and the Lord of our choice, we shall render him willing obedience, and exalt him in every way, to the extent of our abilities and opportunities : and thus we shall here begin, and for ever continue, to give thanks to him who is " good, and whose " mercy endureth for ever." In all these things our Redeemer is the grand Pattern and Exemplar of his people. Delivered from great distress, which he endured in our behalf; placed upon a glorious throne, according to his confidence in his heavenly Father, and in answer to his fervent prayers; having overcome every enemy, which compassed him about, or " thrust sore at him that he might " fall;" and ever living to declare " the works of the " LORD " he has opened the gates of righteousness to all his people; he has become our Way of access to his Father's presence, and the Foundation of our hopes and of our souls; and he has shewn us the way to conquer, by patience, faith, and prayer. Contemned by the builders he is become the Foundation and the Corner-stone of the whole church : and his resurrection, ascension, and exaltation were marvellous in the eyes of Numbers , who acknowledged and rejoiced in them as the Lord's doing When he left the grave, a glorious day commenced, which knows no night; our "Sun of righteousness" arose to set no more : and our weekly commemoration of that great event, on the Lord's day, is the earnest of our celebrating an eternal sabbath in heaven to his glory, and, if duly employed, a most blessed preparation for it. Let us then wclcome the return of this " day which the LORD hath made and rejoice and be glad in it:" let us beseech him to send prosperity to the preaching of his Gospel, and by it to save the souls of men, adding multitudes every day, and especially every Lord's day, to the number of the saved ones : let us welcome those, who come as ambassadors in the name of Christ; as an evidence, that we welcome him to our hearts, and shall welcome him when he comes to judgment : and let us join our prayers for those who belong to the Redeemer, and every act of love to them, with our spiritual sacrifices of praise to him, our Lord, our God, our Saviour, and our Portion.