{"id":8166,"date":"2025-06-17T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milagreshoje.com.br\/?p=8166"},"modified":"2025-06-17T15:55:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T18:55:58","slug":"psalm-118-praise-for-gods-faithfulness-and-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milagreshoje.com.br\/en\/psalm-118-praise-for-gods-faithfulness-and-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Psalm 118: Praise for God\u2019s Faithfulness and Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Psalm 118<\/strong> is one of the most powerful and celebrated songs of gratitude and trust in the Scriptures. It lies at the heart of the collection known as the Hallel<\/em>, recited by Jews on festive occasions, and is quoted in the New Testament as a messianic foreshadowing. Its main message is clear: the Lord\u2019s faithfulness endures forever, and He is worthy of all praise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout this article, we will explore Psalm 118<\/strong> in depth, reflecting on its structure, spiritual meanings, historical context, and personal application. This study will be divided into topics to facilitate reading and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b9 Praise the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever. \u2076 The Lord is with me; I will not fear. What can man do to me? \u00b9\u00b9 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. \u00b9\u2076 The right hand of the Lord is lifted high; the right hand of the Lord does mighty things. \u00b2\u00b9 I will give You thanks, for You answered me and have become my salvation. \u00b2\u2076 Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless You from the house of the Lord. \u201cPraise the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cLet Israel now say: His steadfast love endures forever.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cLet the house of Aaron now say: His steadfast love endures forever.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cLet all who fear the Lord now say: His steadfast love endures forever.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cOut of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a spacious place.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThe Lord is with me; I will not fear. What can man do to me?\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThe Lord is with me among those who help me; therefore I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cIt is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cIt is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cAll the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThey surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThey swarmed around me like bees; they were extinguished like burning thorns. In the name of the Lord I cut them off.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cI was pushed hard, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThe Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cShouts of joy and salvation resound in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does mighty things.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThe right hand of the Lord is lifted high; the right hand of the Lord does mighty things.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cI shall not die, but live, and proclaim what the Lord has done.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThe Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cOpen to me the gates of righteousness; I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThis is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cI will give You thanks, for You answered me and have become my salvation.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThe stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThe Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThis is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cSave us, we pray, O Lord; O Lord, grant us success.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cBlessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless You from the house of the Lord.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cThe Lord is God, and He has made His light shine upon us; bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cYou are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, and I will exalt You.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cGive thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever.\u201d<\/strong> Psalm 118<\/strong> possesses a poetic structure that favors repetition, emphasizing God\u2019s eternal faithfulness. The repeated phrase \u201cHis steadfast love endures forever\u201d functions as a liturgical refrain and reinforces the central message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 118<\/strong> was likely sung responsively between leader and congregation, especially during temple celebrations. This practice reinforced fellowship between the faithful and God through communal repetition of divine truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The historical background of Psalm 118<\/strong> is not explicit, but many scholars believe it was composed for national thanksgiving occasions, such as after military victories or upon returning from exile. Its language is both personal and collective, showing that gratitude to the Lord transcends time and circumstance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are indications that Psalm 118<\/strong> was recited during the Feast of Tabernacles<\/em>, a time of rejoicing for God\u2019s care of the people in the wilderness. This explains the mention of \u201ctents of the righteous\u201d and the \u201ccords of the sacrifice,\u201d symbols linked to worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best-known verses of Psalm 118<\/strong> is quoted by Jesus and the apostles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.\u201d (verse 22)<\/p>\n\n\n\n This image points to the Messiah rejected by religious leaders but exalted by God as the foundation of faith. Its use in the Christian context reveals the psalm\u2019s prophetic depth and spiritual relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, the crowd shouted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!\u201d (verse 26)<\/p>\n\n\n\n These words come directly from Psalm 118<\/strong> and show how the people recognized the coming of the Anointed One as the fulfillment of God\u2019s promises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The psalmist declares that he called on the Lord in distress, and God responded with freedom and deliverance. This encourages readers to trust God even in the most difficult moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.\u201d This powerful statement, repeated twice in the psalm, highlights the frailty of human solutions compared with the security that comes from above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The psalmist acknowledges that his victories are not the result of personal strength but of divine intervention. This recognition fosters humility and gratitude in the hearts of those who walk by faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGive thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This verse is the opening invitation to worship, repeated at the end as well. It closes the psalm on the same note of gratitude with which it began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Lord is with me; I will not fear. What can man do to me?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This reveals the courage birthed from faith. God\u2019s presence dispels fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI shall not die, but live, and proclaim what the Lord has done.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most quoted verses in prayers and songs, expressing hope, life, and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Celebrating today as God\u2019s gift is a hallmark of mature faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 118<\/strong> is excellent for times of prayer, especially on days of gratitude or when seeking courage. Reading it aloud reaffirms trust in God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because it is responsive and full of refrains, this psalm suits worship services, family gatherings, and religious festivals. It unites the community in a single spirit of praise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teachers and religious leaders can use Psalm 118<\/strong> to teach about divine faithfulness, perseverance, humility, and the recognition of God\u2019s deeds in personal and collective history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The focus is on gratitude and trust in the Lord\u2019s eternal faithfulness. The psalm celebrates the salvation and victory God grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because it prophesies the coming of the Messiah, being cited directly by the crowd in Jerusalem, acknowledging Jesus as God\u2019s envoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Verse 22 \u2014 \u201cThe stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.\u201d \u2014 is the most frequently cited in the New Testament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can strengthen faith in uncertain times, encourage gratitude even amid hardship, and remind us of God\u2019s power in every situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Absolutely! Its message is timeless and continues to strengthen those who read and recite it in faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 118<\/strong> is more than an ancient song. It is a witness of victory, a confession of trust, and a proclamation of praise. With its poetic and powerful language, it invites us to declare that the Lord is good and that His mercy endures forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we meditate on its words, we find encouragement, direction, and renewed conviction that the God who acted in the past still acts today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n READ ALSO:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118 Complete<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00b2 Let Israel now say: His steadfast love endures forever.
\u00b3 Let the house of Aaron now say: His steadfast love endures forever.
\u2074 Let all who fear the Lord now say: His steadfast love endures forever.
\u2075 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a spacious place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2077 The Lord is with me among those who help me; therefore I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
\u2078 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
\u2079 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
\u00b9\u2070 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b9\u00b2 They swarmed around me like bees; they were extinguished like burning thorns. In the name of the Lord I cut them off.
\u00b9\u00b3 I was pushed hard, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me.
\u00b9\u2074 The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.
\u00b9\u2075 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord does mighty things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b9\u2077 I shall not die, but live, and proclaim what the Lord has done.
\u00b9\u2078 The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.
\u00b9\u2079 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
\u00b2\u2070 This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b2\u00b2 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
\u00b2\u00b3 The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
\u00b2\u2074 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
\u00b2\u2075 Save us, we pray, O Lord; O Lord, grant us success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b2\u2077 The Lord is God, and He has made His light shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar.
\u00b2\u2078 You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, and I will exalt You.
\u00b2\u2079 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
Psalm 118 Explained Verse by Verse<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 118:1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The opening verse summons worship, highlighting two essential truths: God\u2019s goodness and His eternal mercy. The word \u201csteadfast love\u201d points to God\u2019s covenant loyalty that never fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The entire nation is called to acknowledge divine faithfulness. The psalmist underscores that Israel\u2019s experience with God is marked by His constant love.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The priests, descendants of Aaron, must also proclaim God\u2019s mercy, showing that both religious leaders and common people are recipients of the Lord\u2019s goodness.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The invitation extends to everyone who fears God\u2014Jew or Gentile\u2014revealing the universal reach of divine love.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The psalmist testifies that, in distress, he cried to the Lord and was heard. A \u201cspacious place\u201d symbolizes freedom and relief after oppression.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The presence of God eliminates human fear. This statement expresses courage rooted in divine companionship.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
God not only is present but also works through allies to uphold the psalmist before enemies. Divine justice is expected with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:8<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This verse states an eternal truth: trusting the Lord surpasses relying on any person.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:9<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Not even rulers compare with the Lord in terms of security and faithfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:10<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The psalmist describes an external threat yet declares victory through divine authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:11<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The repetition underscores the severity of the situation, yet also renewed trust in the Lord\u2019s name as a weapon of victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The attack is intense, like a swarm of bees, but the enemies vanish quickly, like a fleeting fire. Victory remains the Lord\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:13<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Despite a violent push from opposition, the psalmist affirms that divine help kept him standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:14<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This verse echoes Exodus 15:2. The psalmist recognizes that all strength, praise, and deliverance come from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:15<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
God\u2019s people celebrate in their homes the Lord\u2019s powerful deeds\u2014especially His strong arm, a symbol of divine action.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:16<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A poetic repetition that underscores God\u2019s sovereignty in acting on behalf of His own.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:17<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A cry of hope and mission: the psalmist lives to testify to God\u2019s works.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:18<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Acknowledgment of divine discipline, coupled with gratitude for preservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:19<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cgates of righteousness\u201d symbolize access to God\u2019s presence. The psalmist longs to enter and offer praise.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:20<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Affirms that entry is reserved for those who live uprightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:21<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once more, God\u2019s response prompts worship and testimony.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:22<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A prophetic verse about the Messiah\u2014rejected yet exalted by God as the foundation of faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:23<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The transformation of the rejected stone into the chief one is seen as the Lord\u2019s miracle, worthy of wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:24<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every day is a divine gift, and this\u2014 the day of salvation\u2014deserves celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:25<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A plea for deliverance and prosperity, often used in liturgical contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:26<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Quoted during Jesus\u2019 triumphal entry into Jerusalem, expressing welcome to God\u2019s sent One.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:27<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Light symbolizes revelation and salvation; the sacrifice represents gratitude and total surrender to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:28<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A personal declaration of faith, repeated for emphasis on the psalmist\u2019s devotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 118:29<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The psalm ends as it began: with praise for God\u2019s eternal goodness. It is a circle of gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Literary Structure of Psalm 118<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Antiphonal Form<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Main Divisions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
The Historical Context of Psalm 118<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Connection with the Feast of Tabernacles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Use of Psalm 118 in the New Testament<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Stone the Builders Rejected\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Acclaimed at the Triumphal Entry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual Themes in Psalm 118<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trust Amid Adversity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rejecting Human Supports<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Victory from God<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most Memorable Verses of Psalm 118<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 118:1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 118:6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 118:17<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 118:24<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Practical Applications of Psalm 118<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For Devotional Life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Community Celebrations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As a Teaching Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Psalm 118<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the central meaning of Psalm 118?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why is Psalm 118 used in Jesus\u2019 triumphal entry?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is the most quoted verse of Psalm 118?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How can Psalm 118 be applied daily?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can Psalm 118 still be prayed today?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n