Psalms 118
118
PSALM 118.
1Alleluia.
ALEPH
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2Blessed are they who search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart.
3For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways.
4Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently.
5O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications.
6Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy commandments.
7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice.
8I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me.
BETH
9By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words.
10With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.
11Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.
12Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications.
13With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth.
14I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches.
15I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways.
16I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.
GIMEL
17Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words.
18Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.
19I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications, at all times.
21Thou hast rebuked the proud: they are cursed who decline from thy commandments.
22Remove from reproach and contempt: because I have sought after thy testimonies.
23For princes sat, and spoke against me: but thy servant was employed in thy justifications.
24For thy testimonies are my meditation: and thy justifications my counsel.
DALETH
25My soul hath cleaved to the pavement: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: tech me thy justifications.
27Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.
28My soul hath slumbered through heaviness: strengthen thou me in thy words.
29Remove from me the way of iniquity: and out of thy law have mercy on me.
30I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have not forgotten.
31I have stuck to thy testimonies, O Lord: put me not to shame.
32I have run the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart.
HE
33Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and I will always seek after it.
34Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart.
35Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired.
36Incline my heart into thy testimonies and not to covetousness.
37Turn away my eyes that they may not behold vanity: quicken me in thy way.
38Establish thy word to thy servant, in thy fear.
39Turn away my reproach, which I have apprehended: for thy judgments are delightful.
40Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy justice.
VAU
41Let thy mercy also come upon me, O Lord: thy salvation according to thy word.
42So shall I answer them that reproach me in any thing; that I have trusted in thy words.
43And take not thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth: for in thy words have I hoped exceedingly.
44So shall I always keep thy law, for ever and ever.
45And I walked at large: because I have sought after thy commandments.
46And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: and I was not ashamed.
47I meditated also on thy commandments, which I loved.
48And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments, which I loved: and I was exercised in thy justifications.
ZAIN
49Be thou mindful of thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast given me hope.
50This hath comforted me in my humiliation: because thy word hath enlivened me.
51The proud did iniquitously altogether: but I declined not from thy law.
52I remembered, O Lord, thy judgments of old: and I was comforted.
53A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54Thy justifications were the subject of my song, in the place of my pilgrimage.
55In the night I have remembered thy name, O Lord: and have kept thy law.
56This happened to me: because I sought after thy justifications.
HETH
57O Lord, my portion, I have said, I would keep the law.
58I entreated thy face with all my heart: have mercy on me according to thy word.
59I have thought on my ways: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60I am ready, and am not troubled: that I may keep thy commandments.
61The cords of the wicked have encompassed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62I rose at midnight to give praise to thee; for the judgments of thy justification.
63I am a partaker with all them that fear thee, and that keep thy commandments.
64The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy justifications.
TETH
65Thou hast done well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word.
66Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments.
67Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.
68Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.
69The iniquity of the proud hath been multiplied over me: but I will seek thy commandments with my whole heart.
70Their heart is curdled like milk: but I have meditated on thy law.
71It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy justifications.
72The law of thy mouth is good to me, above thousands of gold and silver.
JOD
73Thy hands have made me and formed me: give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments.
74They that fear thee shall see me, and shall be glad: because I have greatly hoped in thy words.
75I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.
76O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live: for thy law is my meditation.
78Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me: but I will be employed in thy commandments.
79Let them that fear thee turn to me and they that know thy testimonies.
80Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded.
CAPH
81My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: and in thy word I have very much hoped.
82My eyes have failed for thy word, saying: When wilt thou comfort me?
83For I am become like a bottle in the frost: I have not forgotten thy justifications.
84How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85The wicked have told me fables: but not as thy law.
86All thy statutes are truth: they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me.
87They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I have not forsaken thy commandments.
88Quicken thou me according to thy mercy: and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
LAMED
89For ever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven.
90Thy truth unto all generations: thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth.
91By thy ordinance the day goeth on: for all things serve thee.
92Unless thy law had been my meditation, I had then perhaps perished in my abjection.
93Thy justifications I will never forget: for by them thou hast given me life.
94I am thine, save thou me: for I have sought thy justifications.
95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood thy testimonies.
96I have seen an end to all persecution: thy commandment is exceeding broad.
MEM
97O how have I loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day.
98Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies: for it is ever with me.
99I have understood more than all my teachers: because thy testimonies are my meditation.
100I have had understanding above ancients: because I have sought thy commandments.
101I have restrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy words.
102I have not declined from thy judgments, because thou hast set me a law.
103How sweet are thy words to my palate! more than honey to my mouth.
104By thy commandments I have had understanding: therefore have I hated every way of iniquity.
NUN
105Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.
106I have sworn and am determined to keep the judgments of thy justice.
107I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly: quicken thou me according to thy word.
108The free offerings of my mouth make acceptable, O Lord: and teach me thy judgments.
109My soul is continually in my hands: and I have not forgotten thy law.
110Sinners have laid a snare for me: but I have not erred from thy precepts.
111I have purchased thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever: because they are a joy to my heart.
112I have inclined my heart to do thy justifications for ever, for the reward.
SAMECH
113I have hated the unjust: and have loved thy law.
114Thou art my helper and my protector: and in thy word I have greatly hoped.
115Depart from me, ye malignant: and I will search the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me according to thy word, and I shall live: and let me not be confounded in my expectation.
117Help me, and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on thy justifications.
118Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; for their thought is unjust.
119I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: therefore have I loved thy testimonies.
120Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments.
AIN
121I have done judgment and justice: give me not up to them that slander me.
122Uphold thy servant unto good: let not the proud calumniate me.
123My eyes have fainted after thy salvation: and for the word of thy justice.
124Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy: and teach me thy justifications.
125I am thy servant: give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies.
126It is time, O Lord, to do: they have dissipated thy law.
127Therefore have I loved thy commandments above gold and the topaz.
128Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments: I have hated all wicked ways.
PHE
129Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul hath sought them.
130The declaration of thy words giveth light: and giveth understanding to little ones.
131I opened my mouth and panted: because I longed for thy commandments.
132Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of them that love thy name.
133Direct my steps according to thy word: and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134Redeem me from the calumnies of men: that I may keep thy commandments.
135Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy justifications.
136My eyes have sent forth springs of water: because they have not kept thy law.
SADE
137Thou art just, O Lord: and thy judgment is right.
138Thou hast commanded justice thy testimonies: and thy truth exceedingly.
139My zeal hath made me pine away: because my enemies forgot thy words.
140Thy word is exceedingly refined: and thy servant hath loved it.
141I am very young and despised; but I forgot not thy justifications.
142Thy justice is justice for ever: and thy law is the truth.
143Trouble and anguish have found me: thy commandments are my meditation.
144Thy testimonies are justice for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live.
COPH
145I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord: I will seek thy justifications.
146I cried unto thee, save me: that I may keep thy commandments.
147I prevented the dawning of the day, and cried: because in thy words I very much hoped.
148My eyes to thee have prevented the morning: that I might meditate on thy words.
149Hear thou my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy: and quicken me according to thy mercy.
150They that persecute me have drawn nigh to iniquity; but they are gone far off from the law.
151Thou art near, O Lord: and all thy ways are truth.
152I have known from the beginning concerning thy testimonies: that thou hast founded them for ever.
RES
153See my humiliation and deliver me: for I have not forgotten the law.
154Judge my judgment and redeem me: quicken thou me for thy word's sake.
155Salvation is far from sinners; because they have not sought thy justifications.
156Many, O Lord, are thy mercies: quicken me according to thy judgment.
157Many are they that persecute me, and afflict me; but I have not declined from thy testimonies.
158I beheld the transgressors, and I pined away; because they kept not thy word.
159Behold I have loved thy commandments, O Lord; quicken me thou in thy mercy.
160The beginning of thy words is truth: all the judgments of thy justice are for ever.
SIN
161Princes have persecuted me without cause: and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.
162I will rejoice at thy words, as one that hath found great spoil.
163I have hated and abhorred iniquity; but I have loved thy law.
164Seven times a day I have given praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justice.
165Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block
166I looked to thy salvation, O Lord: and I loved thy commandments.
167My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and hath loved them exceedingly.
168I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies: because all my ways are in thy sight.
TAU
169Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in thy sight: give me understanding according to thy word.
170Let my request come in before thee; deliver thou me according to thy word.
171My lips shall utter a hymn, when thou shalt teach me thy justifications.
172My tongue shall pronounce thy word: because all thy commandments are justice.
173Let thy hand be with me to save me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my meditation.
175My soul shall live and shall praise thee: and thy judgments shall help me.
176I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments.
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Psalms 118: DRC1752
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Psalms 118
118
Psalm 118#sn Psalm 118. The psalmist thanks God for his deliverance and urges others to join him in praise.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
and his loyal love endures!#tn Or “is forever.”
2 Let Israel say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
3 Let the family#tn Heb “house.” of Aaron say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
4 Let the loyal followers of the Lord#tn Heb “fearers of the Lord.” See Ps 15:4. say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
5 In my distress#tn Heb “from the distress.” The noun מֵצַר (metsar, “straits; distress”) occurs only here and in Lam 1:3. In Ps 116:3 מצר should probably be emended to מְצָדֵי (mÿtsadey, “snares of”). I cried out to the Lord.
The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place.#tn Heb “the Lord answered me in a wide open place.”
6 The Lord is on my side,#tn Heb “for me.” I am not afraid!
What can people do to me?#tn The rhetorical question assumes the answer, “Nothing!” The imperfect is used in a modal sense here, indicating capability or potential. See Ps 56:11.
7 The Lord is on my side#tn Heb “for me.” as my helper.#tn Heb “among my helpers.” The preposition may indicate identity here, while the plural may be one of majesty or respect.
I look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take shelter#tn “Taking shelter” in the Lord is an idiom for seeking his protection. Seeking his protection presupposes and even demonstrates the subject’s loyalty to the Lord. In the psalms those who “take shelter” in the Lord are contrasted with the wicked and equated with those who love, fear, and serve the Lord (Pss 5:11-12; 31:17-20; 34:21-22). in the Lord
than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take shelter in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me.#sn The reference to an attack by the nations suggests the psalmist may have been a military leader.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord#tn In this context the phrase “in the name of the Lord” means “by the Lord’s power.” I pushed them away.#tn Traditionally the verb has been derived from מוּל (mul, “to circumcise”) and translated “[I] cut [them] off” (see BDB 557-58 s.v. II מוּל). However, it is likely that this is a homonym meaning “to fend off” (see HALOT 556 s.v. II מול) or “to push away.” In this context, where the psalmist is reporting his past experience, the prefixed verbal form is best understood as a preterite. The phrase also occurs in vv. 11, 12.
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
12 They surrounded me like bees.
But they disappeared as quickly#tn Heb “were extinguished.” as a fire among thorns.#tn The point seems to be that the hostility of the nations (v. 10) is short-lived, like a fire that quickly devours thorns and then burns out. Some, attempting to create a better parallel with the preceding line, emend דֹּעֲכוּ (do’akhu, “they were extinguished”) to בָּעֲרוּ (ba’aru, “they burned”). In this case the statement emphasizes their hostility.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
13 “You aggressively attacked me#tn Heb “pushing, you pushed me.” The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following verbal idea. The psalmist appears to address the nations as if they were an individual enemy. Some find this problematic and emend the verb form (which is a Qal perfect second masculine singular with a first person singular suffix) to נִדְחֵיתִי (nidkheti), a Niphal perfect first common singular, “I was pushed.” and tried to knock me down,#tn Heb “to fall,” i.e., “that [I] might fall.”
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord gives me strength and protects me;#tn Heb “my strength and protection [is] the Lord.” The Hebrew term זִמְרָת (zimrat) is traditionally understood as meaning “song” (“my strength and song [is] the Lord”) in which case one might translate, “for the Lord gives me strength and joy” (i.e., a reason to sing). However, many recent commentators have argued that the noun זִמְרָת is here a homonym, meaning “protection” or “strength.” See HALOT 274 s.v.; cf. NEB “The Lord is my refuge and defence”; NRSV “my strength and my might.”
he has become my deliverer.”#tn Or “salvation.”
15 They celebrate deliverance in the tents of the godly.#tn Heb “the sound of a ringing shout and deliverance [is] in the tents of the godly.”
The Lord’s right hand conquers,#tn Heb “does valiantly.” The statement refers here to military success (see Num 24:18; 1 Sam 14:48; Pss 60:12; 108:13).
16 the Lord’s right hand gives victory,#tn Heb “exalts.”
the Lord’s right hand conquers.
17 I will not die, but live,
and I will proclaim what the Lord has done.#tn Heb “the works of the Lord.”
18 The Lord severely#tn The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following verbal idea. punished me,
but he did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the just king’s temple!#tn Heb “the gates of justice.” The gates of the Lord’s temple are referred to here, as v. 20 makes clear. They are called “gates of justice” because they are the entrance to the just king’s palace. This has been specified in the translation for clarity.
I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the Lord’s gate –
the godly enter through it.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me,
and have become my deliverer.
22 The stone which the builders discarded#tn Or “rejected.”
has become the cornerstone.#tn Heb “the head of the corner.”sn The metaphor of the stone…the builders discarded describes the way in which God’s deliverance reversed the psalmist’s circumstances. When he was in distress, he was like a stone which was discarded by builders as useless, but now that he has been vindicated by God, all can see that he is of special importance to God, like the cornerstone of the building.
23 This is the Lord’s work.
We consider it amazing!#tn Heb “it is amazing in our eyes.” The use of the plural pronoun here and in vv. 24-27 suggests that the psalmist may be speaking for the entire nation. However, it is more likely that vv. 22-27 are the people’s response to the psalmist’s thanksgiving song (see especially v. 26). They rejoice with him because his deliverance on the battlefield (see vv. 10-12) had national repercussions.
24 This is the day the Lord has brought about.#tn Heb “this is the day the Lord has made.” Though sometimes applied in a general way, this statement in its context refers to the day of deliverance which the psalmist and people celebrate.
We will be happy and rejoice in it.
25 Please Lord, deliver!
Please Lord, grant us success!#sn A petition for deliverance and success seems odd in a psalm thanking God for deliverance, but it is not unique (see Ps 9:19-20). The people ask God to continue to intervene for them as he has for the psalmist.
26 May the one who comes in the name of the Lord#sn The people refer here to the psalmist, who enters the Lord’s temple to thank him publicly (see vv. 19-21), as the one who comes in the name of the Lord. be blessed!
We will pronounce blessings on you#tn The pronominal suffix is second masculine plural, but the final mem (ם) is probably dittographic (note the mem [מ] at the beginning of the following form) or enclitic, in which case the suffix may be taken as second masculine singular, referring to the psalmist. in the Lord’s temple.#tn Heb “from the house of the Lord.”
27 The Lord is God and he has delivered us.#tn Heb “and he has given us light.” This may be an elliptical expression, with “his face” being implied as the object (see Num 6:25; Pss 31:16; 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19). In this case, “his face has given us light” = “he has smiled on us,” or “he has shown us his favor.” Another option (the one reflected in the translation) is that “light” here symbolizes divine blessing in the form of deliverance. “Light” is often used as a metaphor for deliverance and the life/blessings it brings. See Pss 37:6; 97:11; 112:4; Isa 49:6; 51:4; Mic 7:8. Some prefer to repoint the form וְיָאֵר (vÿya’er; vav [ו] conjunctive + jussive) and translate the statement as a prayer, “may he give us light.”
Tie the offering#tn The Hebrew noun חַג (khag) normally means “festival,” but here it apparently refers metonymically to an offering made at the festival. BDB 291 s.v. חַג 2 interprets the word in this way here, citing as comparable the use of later Hebrew חֲגִיגָה, which can refer to both a festival and a festival offering (see Jastrow 424 s.v. חֲגִיגָה). with ropes
to the horns of the altar!#tn The second half of v. 27 has been translated and interpreted in a variety of ways. For a survey of major views, see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 122.
28 You are my#sn You are my God. The psalmist speaks again (see v. 21), responding to the words of the worshipers (vv. 22-27). God and I will give you thanks!
You are my God and I will praise you!
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
and his loyal love endures!#tn Or “is forever.”
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