Main Highlights
Thanksgiving for God's enduring love and deliverance, recognizing Him as the source of strength and salvation.
Key Verses
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!- Psalm 118:1 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.- Psalm 118:6-7 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.- Psalm 118:22-23 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.- Psalm 118:26 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!- Psalm 118:28-29
Related Scripture
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.- Romans 8:28
Scholar Insight
"Psalm 118 is a triumphant hymn of thanksgiving for God's deliverance and enduring love, culminating in the Messianic prophecy of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone. - Nancy deClaissé-Walford, Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth LaNeel Tanner, The Book of Psalms (New International Commentary on the Old Testament) (Eerdmans, 2014), p. 945."
Theological Analysis
What we learn about God
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14) We learn that the Lord is our source of strength, joy, and salvation.
Christological Connection
The verse "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Psalm 118:22) is directly quoted in the New Testament (Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:7) and applied to Jesus, signifying His rejection by the Jewish leaders but ultimate triumph and importance in God's plan. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) The reference to the one who comes in the name of the Lord is also a reference to Jesus
Systematic Theology
The doctrine of Christology is present, particularly Christ's role as the Messiah and the cornerstone of the church.
Law & Grace
The Psalm emphasizes God's steadfast love (grace) as the foundation for deliverance and salvation, rather than focusing on adherence to the law. "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
Personal Application
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. (Psalm 118:19) We should seek to live righteously, entering into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and continually giving thanks for His salvation and enduring love.