Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Psalm chapter 118

English Standard Version

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 3 Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 11They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 13I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. 14The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 15Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, 16the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!" 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. 18The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. 21I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23This is the Lord 's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! 28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
New International Version

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 3Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever."
4Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever." 5When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
7The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. 8It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 11They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 12They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 13I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.
14The Lord is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. 15Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! 16The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!" 17I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. 18The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. 20This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.
21I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 22The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! 26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.
28You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
New American Standard Bible

1Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His mercy is everlasting. 2Let Israel say, 'His mercy is everlasting.' 3Oh let the house of Aaron say, 'His mercy is everlasting.' 4Let those who fear the Lord say, 'His mercy is everlasting.' 5From my distress I called upon the Lord; The Lord answered me and put me in an open space. 6The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? 7The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. 8It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in people. 9It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in noblemen. 10All nations surrounded me; In the name of the Lord I will certainly fend them off. 11They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; In the name of the Lord I will certainly fend them off. 12They surrounded me like bees; They were extinguished like a fire of thorn bushes; In the name of the Lord I will certainly fend them off. 13You pushed me violently so that I was falling, But the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. 15The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord performs valiantly. 16The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord performs valiantly. 17I will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the Lord. 18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, But He has not turned me over to death. 19Open the gates of righteousness to me; I will enter through them, I will give thanks to the Lord. 20This is the gate of the Lord; The righteous will enter through it. 21I will give thanks to You, for You have answered me, And You have become my salvation. 22A stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23This came about from the Lord; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24This is the day which the Lord has made; Let’s rejoice and be glad in it. 25Please, O Lord, do save us; Please, O Lord, do send prosperity! 26Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. 27The Lord is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice to the horns of the altar with cords. 28You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I exalt You. 29Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His mercy is everlasting.
Christian Standard Bible

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. 2Let Israel say, "His faithful love endures forever." 3Let the house of Aaron say, "His faithful love endures forever."
4Let those who fear the Lord say, "His faithful love endures forever." 5I called to the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. 6The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me?
7The Lord is my helper, Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me. 8It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humanity.
9It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in nobles. 10All the nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I destroyed them. 11They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I destroyed them. 12They surrounded me like bees; they were extinguished like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I destroyed them. 13They pushed me hard to make me fall, but the Lord helped me.
14The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 15There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly! 16The Lord’s right hand is raised. The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!" 17I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done.
18The Lord disciplined me severely but did not give me over to death. 19Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20This is the Lord’s gate; the righteous will enter through it. 21I will give thanks to you because you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23This came from the Lord; it is wondrous in our sight.
24This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Lord, save us! Lord, please grant us success! 26He who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed. From the house of the Lord we bless you. 27The Lord is God and has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 28You are my God, and I will give you thanks. You are my God; I will exalt you. 29Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
New Living Translation

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
2Let all Israel repeat: 'His faithful love endures forever.' 3Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat: 'His faithful love endures forever.' 4Let all who fear the Lord repeat: 'His faithful love endures forever.'
5In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. 6The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? 7Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. 8It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. 9It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
10Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. 11Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. 12They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. 13My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. 14The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. 15Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! 16The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! 17I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done. 18The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die.
19Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. 20These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there. 21I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!
22The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. 23This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. 24This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. 26Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar. 28You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!
29Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
King James Version

1O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
6The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
14The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
16The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
18The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23This is the Lord'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
New King James Version

1Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 3Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4Let those who fear the Lord now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 5 I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. 8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes. 10All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 11They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 12They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 13You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. 15The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord. 18The Lord has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter. 21I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. 27God is the Lord, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 28You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. 29Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

What does Psalm chapter 118 mean?

This is last in the block of "Hallel" psalms (Psalms 113—118). Because of its connection to festivals such as Passover (Deuteronomy 16:16), the psalm is cited often in the New Testament. During Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, people shouted or sang some of these words to celebrate the arrival of the Savior (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38; John 12:13). Portions of the song seem to be written for call and response: for the repeated phrases to come after prompts from a worship leader.

Praise for God is always appropriate. In the early verses of this psalm, the psalmist focuses on God's love being "steadfast." This is from the Hebrew term hesed. Hesed suggests ongoing, steady, merciful, and forgiving love (Exodus 34:6). The call to praise begins with Israel, then extends to the priestly line of Aaron (Exodus 7:2; 30:30). Next, the idea is applied to all who reverently honor and worship the Lord God (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 34:9). The psalmist also mentions that God's will can't be undone by attacks from mortal men (Psalm 118:1–9).

No specific event is associated with this Psalm. It's possible the words were written to commemorate Israel's return from exile (Ezra 2:1) and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and temple (Ezra 2:1; 3:1–2, 8). It may also refer to the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:41) or the early days of conquest in the Promised Land (Judges 2:16–19). In all such cases, enemy nations threatened to erase Israel from existence. But Israel was victorious. The nation suffered harsh discipline for her sins (Jeremiah 25:8–9) but was never destroyed (Psalm 118:10–18).

The last portion of this psalm contains statements often cited elsewhere in the Bible. Previous verses spoke about God's work on Israel's behalf. Here, the psalmist continues to explain how and why God's people should worship Him. The people celebrating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem used phrases from this passage (Matthew 21:8–9). The New Testament also repeats ideas regarding gates, cornerstones, and salvation (John 10:9; Matthew 7:13–14; Titus 2:11; 1 Peter 2:6). The psalm ends with exactly the same statement as it began (Psalm 118:19–29).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit