Ps 118 Give Thanks  © 2016 WF Cobb Truthbase.net DailyTruthbase.Blogspot.com

“This is my psalm, my chosen psalm. I love them all; I love all holy Scripture, which is my consolation and my life. But this psalm is nearest my heart, and I have a peculiar right to call it mine. It has saved me from many a pressing danger, from which neither emperor, nor kings, nor sages, nor saints, could have saved me. It is my friend; dearer to me than all the honors and power of the earth.”  -M Luther

Ps 117 Hesed and Truth/faithfulness endure. Setting post exile, Feast of Tabernacles in the rebuilt temple. Hallel 113-118 cf Neh 8

I. We should give thanks and praise to God for He is infinitely good and loyal to His covenant promises/obligations, in which He is for/helps those who fear Him, is always on their side, answers their prayers, and delivers them out of pressing trouble (and blesses us).

1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His hesed endures forever. 2 Let Israel now say, "His hesed endures forever."

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, "His hesed endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the LORD now say, " His hesed 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.

II. We should trust in God only; He alone is valiant and trustworthy, giving strength, song, and salvation to those who trust (and praise) Him

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 surrounded me, But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 12 They surrounded me like bees; they were quenched like a fire of thorns; 

For in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 13 You 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.v21  Cf Ex 15:2 God=man of war  (Ex 14:31 feared and believed)

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation 14, 21, 25 is in the tents/tabernacles 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.  Cf Neh 8:14-18 Feast of Tabernacles 444BC

III. We must not doubt when God uses difficulties to draw us into a deeper dependent rlshp with Him, dvlp'g righteousness, but declare His praises

17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. (purpose for living Isa 43:21)

18 The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.

Jer 33:10 "Thus says the LORD: 'Again there shall be heard in this place --- of which you say, "It is desolate...11 the voice of joy and the voice of gladness...who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for His hesed endures forever" and the voice of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. for I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD.  Cf  Ezra 3:11

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/to the LORD, through which the righteous shall enter.

21 I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation. (cf v14 NB not Savior)

22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (Isa 28:16; Mt 21:42; Ac 4:11; Rm 9:32-33;  1Pt 2:7)

Isa 28:16 I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will be unshaken.

23 This was the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes 24 This is the day the LORD has made/appointed; We will rejoice and be glad in it

25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. (Neh 1:11; 2Chron 20:20)

IV. We receive His blessings: salvation, fellowship/intimacy, Light, peace - when rightly related IN Him, and we'll praise Him for His hesed

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.

27 God is the LORD, and He has given us light;  bind/join the sacrifice/festival procession with cords/boughs up/to the horns of the altar

Num 6:24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace 27...put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them

28 You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You.

29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His hesed endures forever.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How has God blessed you (count them 1x1)? Why has He done so? What does righteousness and your response have to do with it? 

2. What does your praise of God indicate about your relationship with Him, and how you are fulfilling His purpose for your existence?

3. How is God your helper and salvation? How does that differ from Him helping or saving you? How do you thank and exalt Him?

4. What does it mean to “come in the name of the Lord”? What is required to act or live in His name? (Hint: under/with power/authority/purpose)

5. Circle each of God's attributes above; Check off His blessings; Put a box around the responses we should make (and then do them).