The big picture
Psalms 118 opens in verse 1 with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 15 with “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right…”, and closes in verse 29 with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, endureth, mercy, compassed, name. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 29Psalms 118:1-8
1–8: O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: because his mercy endureth…
Psalms 118:1–8 opens with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” and reaches “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 118 develops its own movement around LORD, endureth, mercy, compassed, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, endureth, mercy.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, good, LORD. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 118:1-8
King James Version1O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Psalms 118:9-16
9–16: It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
Psalms 118:9–16 opens with “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” and reaches “The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 118 develops its own movement around LORD, endureth, mercy, compassed, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, compassed, destroy.
Context that brings the passage to life
“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” The line’s distinctive content terms include better, confidence, LORD. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
“They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include compassed, destroy, LORD. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 118:9-16
King James Version9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Psalms 118:17-24
17–24: I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD .
Psalms 118:17–24 opens with “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD .” and reaches “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 118 develops its own movement around LORD, endureth, mercy, compassed, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, become, praise.
Context that brings the passage to life
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD .” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Psalms 118:17-24
King James Version17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD .
18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD :
20This gate of the LORD , into which the righteous shall enter.
21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:25-29
25–29: Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD : O LORD , I beseech thee, send now…
Psalms 118:25–29 opens with “Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD : O LORD , I beseech thee, send now prosperity.” and reaches “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 118 develops its own movement around LORD, endureth, mercy, compassed, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, beseech, blessed.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD : O LORD , I beseech thee, send now prosperity.” Naming Save keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 118:25-29
King James Version25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD : O LORD , I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD : we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD .
27God is the LORD , which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 118:1 begins with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 118:6 forms a natural hinge: “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
The final note
Psalms 118:29 leaves the reader with “O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, endureth, mercy, compassed, name, become help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.