Geneva Bible Study Notes :: Footnotes for Psalms 118

Psa 118:1 O (a) give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever.

(a) Because God by creating David king, showed his mercy toward his afflicted Church, the prophet not only thanks God himself, but exhorts all the people to do the same.

Psa 118:5 I called upon the LORD in (b) distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.

(b) We are here taught that the more that troubles oppress us, the more ought we to be instant in prayer.

Psa 118:6 The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can (c) man do unto me?

(c) Being exalted to this estate, he assured himself to have man ever to be his enemy. Yet he did not doubt that God would maintain him, because he had placed him.

Psa 118:8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence (d) in man.

(d) He shows that he had trusted in vain if he had put his confidence in man, to have been preferred to the kingdom and therefore he put his trust in God and obtained.

Psa 118:13 (e) Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

(e) He notes Saul his chief enemy.

Psa 118:14 The LORD [is] my strength and (f) song, and is become my salvation.

(f) In that he was delivered, it came not from himself, not from the power of man, but only from God's favour, therefore he will praise him.

Psa 118:15 The (g) voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

(g) He promises both to render graces himself, and to cause others to do the same, because in his person the Church was restored.

Psa 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and (h) declare the works of the LORD.

(h) So that all, that are both far and near, may see his mighty power.

Psa 118:19 Open to me the (i) gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD:

(i) He wills the doors of the tabernacle to be opened, that he may declare his thankful mind.

Psa 118:22 The stone [which] the builders (k) refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

(k) Though Saul and the chief powers refused me to be king, yet God has preferred me above them all.

Psa 118:24 This [is] the (l) day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

(l) In which God has shown chiefly his mercy, by appointing me king and delivering his Church.

Psa 118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, (m) O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

(m) The people pray for the prosperity of David's kingdom, who was the figure of Christ.

Psa 118:26 Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: (n) we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

(n) Who are the priests, and have the charge of it, as in Num 6:23.

Psa 118:27 God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us (o) light: bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar.

(o) Because he has restored us from darkness to light, we will offer sacrifices and praises to him.