Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 118

Goodness of God Celebrated; Grateful Acknowledgments This section invites everyone to praise the Lord

v. 2-4: David asks three groups to join in praising God: Israel, the house of Aaron (the priests), and everyone who fears the Lord

v. 5: David shares that when he was in distress, he called on the Lord

v. 6: Because the Lord

v. 7: David says the Lord

v. 8-9: David learned that it is better to trust in the Lord

v. 10-12: David describes being surrounded by all nations, like bees around a person. But in the name of the Lord

v. 13: He remembers how hard his enemies tried to make him fall, but the Lord

v. 14: David says, “The Lord

v. 15-16: The homes of the righteous are filled with the sound of rejoicing and salvation. David celebrates how the right hand of the Lord

v. 17: David is sure he will not die but live and tell others about what the Lord

v. 18: Even though the Lord

David Triumphs in God; The Humiliation and Exaltation of the MessiahThis section of the psalm contains a prophecy about Jesus Christ, focusing on both his suffering and his glory. It also reflects David’s experiences but points ultimately to the Messiah. Peter refers to this passage when speaking to the religious leaders about Jesus (Acts 4:11 ). The psalm celebrates God’s salvation, Christ’s victory, and the joy of God’s people.v. 19-21: The psalmist asks for admission into God’s sanctuary, saying, Open to me the gates of righteousness. These gates represent access to God’s presence, which is only possible through Jesus Christ, the true door (John 10:9 ). The psalmist rejoices that the gates have been opened and promises to praise God, acknowledging that his prayers have been answered and his salvation secured (Psalm 118:19-21 ).

v. 22-23: The psalmist describes Christ as the stone which the builders rejected. Jesus was rejected by the leaders of Israel, but God raised him up to become the cornerstone of the church. He is the foundation that unites believers and completes God’s spiritual building. This is God’s work, and it is truly marvelous to behold (Psalm 118:22-23; 1 Peter 2:6 ; Acts 4:8-11 ).

v. 24: The psalmist declares, This is the day the Lord

v. 25-26: The people cry out, Save now, I beseech you, O Lord

v. 27: The psalmist praises God, saying, God is the Lord

v. 28-29: The psalm ends with a personal declaration of praise. The psalmist says, You are my God, and I will praise you. He invites others to join in giving thanks to the Lord