Psalm 118: Enduring Love
REMEMBER WHEN YOUR parents used to force you to write thank-you notes for the Christmas and birthday gifts you received from your out-of-town relatives? Although it may have been painful at the time, this discipline of thanksgiving helped you develop a grateful heart.
In like manner, the psalmist expresses thanks to God for delivering Israel from her many enemies. The historic occasion for Psalm 118 may have been Israel's defeat of a confederacy of nations, her deliverance from the Babylonian exile. In either event, the Israelites had much to thank God for, especially his love which endures forever. We who know the love of God in Christ have even more reason to give thanks through this psalm.
Warming Up to God
Think of all the things and relationships in your life that have passed on or proven temporary. Contrast that with the most enduring love relationship you know, or with the times that come to mind when you hum that ditty "Happy Days Are Here Again." How does that relationship or those days compare with the enduring love of God?
Read Psalm 118. »
Discovering the Word
- Note that this psalm divides into five parts: a liturgical call to praise at the beginning (vv. 1-4) and end (v. 29)—which sandwiches the leader's song of thanksgiving (vv. 5-21), the people's response (vv. 22-27) and the leader's final prompting (v. 28). What indicators do you see that suggest a change of voice or speaker in each section?
- What is the significance of the many double and triple repetitions found throughout this psalm?
- What has the Lord done for the king and/or representatively for the people (vv. 5-21)?
- As an Israelite prompted to give thanks on the occasion of this psalm, what redemptive occasions in the life of your people come to mind?
- What is the significance of the stone-turned-capstone (v. 22), which is being celebrated on this festive day (v. 23)?
Applying the Word
- The early church applied verse 22 to Jesus. How is Jesus like this stone-turned-capstone?
- For what events in your life are you particularly grateful to God?
- How did God prove to be your helper, your strength or your salvation?
Responding in Prayer
Praise God for the day(s) he has given you to rejoice (v. 24).
For Further Study
He Has Made Me Glad by Ben Patterson