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.
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.
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.
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.
118:13e Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but
the LORD helped me.
(e) He notes Saul his chief enemy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
(Nu 6:23).
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.
