Psalm 118 - Hard Pressed

Psalm 118:1-6, 8-9, 14, 17-18, 21-28 NIV

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.”

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The 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. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Psalm 118 is the last of a set of psalms known as the Hallel, meaning praise. Psalms 113-118 are sung during the Passover festival. Some are sung before the meal and some like Psalm 118 are sung after the meal.

This psalm was used as part of a festal procession. You can imagine the call of the liturgical leader and the response of the congregation.

Leader:  Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
People: His love endures forever!

This psalm was an inspiration to the New Testament writers. They read Jesus in these verses.

The author of the psalm speaks of deliverance from enemies, victory in the midst of a mighty battle. Now as he approaches the temple gates to give thanks to the Lord, he celebrates his struggle and God's rescue.

He almost seems to be boasting in himself. He says, "What can mere mortals do to me?" He only boasts because of his confidence in God. God is the One in whom he truly boasts. He is unafraid because he knows God is with him. Knowing God as his strength and salvation leads him to believe he will not die in the battle he wages. He will live and he will join others at the altar to give thanks.

The intensity of the battle was so great he was hard pressed and felt as if the Lord was chastening him. When life's battles get tough, do you sometimes wonder if God is disciplining you, training you as you would a child? The writer of Hebrews reveals such a sentiment.

Hebrews 12:7 NIV

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

Even in the midst of godly chastening, good rewards are intended. These are maturity, grace, strength, faith, hope, wisdom, understanding, peace and righteousness. There's more rewards along our journey with God. Never forget that God is with you. It's better to trust in Him than any human or any person in authority. There is no greater authority than the person of the Lord.

The confidence espoused here is a confidence Jesus displayed as He faced the humiliation of the cross. Jesus was confident that God would deliver him. God did not leave Jesus to decay in the grave. Instead He exalted Jesus in glorious resurrection. He raised the name of Jesus above every name. Jesus is the stone the builders rejected, but God placed Him as the cornerstone on which a new community would be built. The church is that new community built upon the cornerstone who is Jesus.

With great joy the congregation enters the temple gates. They celebrate their deliverance from slavery, from exile, and from death. And we join in the ancient and everlasting celebration for our deliverance from sin and death through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Join in the affirmation of faith:

The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.