Psalm 118

The following table shows the Hebrew text^[2][3] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

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

This psalm is centered on God, in a movement that expresses gratitude, admiration, joy and praise. In the King James Version, the Lord is mentioned in almost every verse.

I called on the Lord in distress;

The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.^[4]

Instead of "a large place" or "a broad place", many translations state the LORD "set me free".^[5]

The Lord is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation.^[6]

These words are paralleled in the Song of Moses and are used by the prophet Isaiah.^[7]

Most translations have translated zimrah as "song", its usual meaning. However, the Greek Septuagint translation of the parallel passage of Exodus 15:2 merely translated it as The Lord being "my protector", making no reference to song. Further, inscriptions in Ancient South Arabian, a dialect cognate of Biblical Hebrew, seem to sometimes use zimrah to mean "might" or "power", suggesting an alternative translation as "The Lord is my strength and might".^[8]

The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone.^[9]

This was the Lord’s doing;

It is marvelous in our eyes.^[10]

Psalm 118 is the last of the so-called Egyptian Hallel. It is read on the days of recitation of the hallel.

• It is one of six psalms (113-118) of which Hallel is composed. On all days when Hallel is recited, this psalm is recited in its entirety, with the final ten verses being recited twice.^[11]
• Verse 1 is recited by some following Psalm 126 preceding Birkat Hamazon.^[12]
• Verse 5 is recited prior to the Shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah.^[13]
• Verses 5-9 are part of Tashlikh.^[14]
• Verse 24 may be a source of the Israeli song Hava Nagila.
• Verse 25 is part of the long Tachanun recited on Mondays and Thursdays.^[15]
• Verse 27 is the source to the name isru chag.^[16]

Parts of this Psalm were quoted by Jesus and writers of the New Testament.

• Verse 6 is quoted in Hebrews^[17]
• Verses 22-23 are quoted in Matthew. Jesus said to them (the chief priests and the elders of the people), "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" Opposition and difficulties are seen in this Psalm but in the midst of it God will display His salvation.^[17]
• In the Gospels,^[17] Jesus is welcomed on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem by crowds quoting verses 25-26:

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"^[18][19]

This text was chosen by Saint Benedict of Nursia towards 530, as the third psalm for the solemn office of Sunday Lauds (Rule of Saint Benedict, chapter XI10).^[20]

Psalm 118 (117) is now read in the Liturgy of the Hours every Sunday of the first and third weeks, at the office of Sext.

Psalm 118 is also closely associated with Eastertide, and is typically sung at the Easter Vigil and morning Mass on Easter Sunday. The gradual for Easter is based on verse 24, Haec dies quam fecit Dominus. As a result, many compositions are based on this textual fragment.

An extract from verse 23 is inscribed on several English coins, with the text of the Vulgate: a Domino factum est istud hoc est mirabile in oculis nostris. Upon her accession to the throne, Elizabeth I of England is said to have pronounced this same verse, also in Latin, as quoted in the New Testament: A Domino factum est illud et est mirabile in oculis nostris.^[21]

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the twenty-fourth day of the month,^[22] as well as at EvensongonEaster Day.^[23]

The hymn in German "Nun saget Dank und lobt den Herren" is a paraphrase of Psalm 118. It has been set to music by various composers.

Heinrich Schütz composed a metred paraphrase of the psalm in German, "Laßt uns Gott, unserm Herren", SWV 216, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.

The beginning of the psalm was set by Goran Trajkoski for a production, Eternal House, at the Macedonian National Theatre.^[24]

The 22nd line of the Psalm is referenced in the opening theme to The Boondocks by the artist Asheru where the singer proclaims "I am the stone that the builder refused" in the very first line.^[25]

• Pieces with text from Psalm 118: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• Psalm 118: Free scores at the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. text and footnotes, usccb.org United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Psalm 118 / Refrain: I will give thanks to you, for you have become my salvation. Church of England
• "Hymns for Psalm 118". hymnary.org. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
• PSALMUS 138 (137), Vatican City