30 Days in the PsalmsSýnishorn

30 Days in the Psalms

DAY 27 OF 30

Day #27: Psalm 118

Psalm 118, like Psalm 113, is not a prayer laden with petitions but a praise-filled blessing of the Lord. This shout of praise seems to be fueled by the experience of miraculous rescue from a seemingly hopeless set of circumstances. In verses 10–13, the psalmist describes being surrounded on every side by hostile opponents; they buzzed around him like angry bees and blazed like “a fire of thorns.” He felt pushed and pressed, like he was falling and stumbling at every turn. Having experienced rescue from that terrible situation, he bursts into praise and calls God’s people to join him in singing.

There are two unique elements in this psalm that make it especially memorable. If you take a minute to read Psalm 118 aloud or listen to it being read, you’ll almost certainly notice the first of these elements: the strategic use of repetition. Four times the poet repeats a key phrase, giving it particular emphasis. First, there is the phrase that anchors and frames the whole psalm, a line that Israel is called to sing over and over: “His steadfast love endures forever” (four times in vv. 1–4 and again to close the psalm). Second, after considering his experience of rescue, the psalmist declares twice (vv. 8–9): “It is better to take refuge in the Lord” than to put confidence in human beings, even in powerful rulers. Third, he underscores with a triple repetition that the source of his victory was the Lord, not his own efforts: “in the name of the Lord I cut off my enemies” (vv. 10–12). Finally, with another triple repetition, he insists that it is “the right hand of the Lord” that saves and rescues his people. These repetitions make this prayer memorable and singable—and they keep it focused directly on God himself.

If you are a reader of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you probably also noticed the other notable element of Psalm 118, its use by New Testament writers to describe the person and work of Jesus. In Matthew 21:42, Jesus himself uses Psalm 118:22 to explain his most hard-hitting parable, clearly understanding himself as the psalm’s point of reference: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” (Later, Peter will use this same verse to describe the death and resurrection of Jesus, both in his sermon in Acts 4 and in his first letter.) And Psalm 118:25–26 is sung by the crowds who welcome Jesus into Jerusalem at the beginning of the week leading up to his death on the cross. The ultimate rescue from hopeless circumstances—the crushing press of sin and death—comes through Jesus Christ, who is now seated at “the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33).

Today is a good day to give thanks to the Lord—for he is good and his steadfast love, shown to the fullest in Jesus, endures forever!

Ritningin

About this Plan

30 Days in the Psalms

Most of Scripture is God’s Word to human beings, but the Book of Psalms records human speech to God. These prayers and songs demonstrate the determination of people of faith to remain connected to God, regardless of their circumstances. Confession, lament, pleading, thanksgiving, praise—all the elements of our communication with God are present. The 150 Psalms in the collection are divided into 5 “books.” During these 30 days, we’ll pray through 6 psalms from each book. Some will be very familiar, others perhaps less so; all will direct our gaze to the God who loves us.

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