1181 Thank God because he's good, because his love never quits. 2 Tell the world, Israel, "His love never quits." 3 And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world, "His love never quits." 4 And you who fear God, join in, "His love never quits." 5 Pushed to the wall, I called to God; from the wide open spaces, he answered. 6 God's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me? 7 God's my strong champion; I flick off my enemies like flies. 8 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people; 9 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in celebrities. 10 Hemmed in by barbarians, in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt; 11 Hemmed in and with no way out, in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt; 12 Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in; in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt. 13 I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed and held me. 14 God's my strength, he's also my song, and now he's my salvation. 15 Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs in the camp of the saved? "The hand of God has turned the tide! 16 The hand of God is raised in victory! The hand of God has turned the tide!" 17 I didn't die. I lived! And now I'm telling the world what God did. 18 God tested me, he pushed me hard, but he didn't hand me over to Death.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 118:1-18
Commentary on Psalm 118:1-18
(Read Psalm 118:1-18)
The account the psalmist here gives of his troubles is very applicable to Christ: many hated him without a cause; nay, the Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him, and put him to grief, that by his stripes we might be healed. God is sometimes the strength of his people, when he is not their song; they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God, or whether he looks forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant cause for joy and praise. Every answer to our prayers is an evidence that the Lord is on our side; and then we need not fear what man can do unto us; we should conscientiously do our duty to all, and trust in him alone to accept and bless us. Let us seek to live to declare the works of God, and to encourage others to serve him and trust in him. Such were the triumphs of the Son of David, in the assurance that the good pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand.