Psalm 118 – Good
Psalm 118 – good, begins and ends with the call to thank God for God is good. Why? What does it mean to say God is good?
Psalm 118
The last of the Hallel psalms, Psalm 118 is a beautiful psalm, beloved by Matin Luther, and recited by Jesus on the night before he died.
“Psalm 118 stands as a powerful anthem of hope and gratitude, encapsulating the essence of resilience in the face of adversity. This psalm is remarkable for its vivid imagery and emotional depth, expressing a journey from distress to deliverance. The psalmist recounts past struggles, emphasizing how reliance on the Lord transformed fear into triumph.” Psalm 118 Summary (Meaning, Lessons & Key Verses)
The opening and closing verse for Psalm 118 states that God is good for his love endures forever.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1)
The psalmist then repeats this phrase, “his love endures forever,” three times.
“Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”
The house of Aaron says: “His love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” (2-4)
Reasons to Give Thanks to God
What greater testament for God’s goodness than God’s love? As if that weren’t enough, the writer goes on to list other reasons to proclaim God is good. All reasons to give thanks to God.
God rescued him from trouble and brought him to a “spacious” place.
“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.” (5-7)
When surrounded by enemies, God gave him victory:
“All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (10-14)
The numbers attacking him were so many and unrelenting that the psalmist refers to them as swarming bees.
The psalmist continues with shouts of joy and praise of God who has done great things.
“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.” (15-17; 21)
The Stone Rejected
What’s even more, God is so good he lifts up those who are rejected; out of rejection comes acceptance. Our God loves what the world rejects.
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” (22-24)
Psalm 118 ends with a blessing prayer and thanksgiving
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (26-29)
God is Good
The psalmist praises God in Psalm 118 – good, not because of God’s awesomeness or God’s power and majesty. Rather God is praised because God is good. A simple word. Good means ethical, virtuous, moral, kind, benevolent. It can also mean adequate, agreeable, pleasant, wholesome, amusing, true, honorable, bountiful, fertile, handsome, attractive, the list goes on. All qualities of God. Not flashy, but good. You can rely on God.
Other aspects of God found in Psalm 118 include: God is good because his love endures forever; God is our strength and song (14); God is worthy of trust (8); God helps (7); God uses those rejected by the world (22); God makes each day (24); God’s right hand is at work in our world (16); God is our salvation (21); God opens his gates to us (19); God light shines upon us bringing clarity and direction (27). (Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 118)
Our God truly is worthy of being praised.
Psalm 118 – Good
The Bible repeatedly affirms God’s goodness expressed through His mercy, love, and faithfulness. Numerous passages echo this: Psalm 34:8, Psalm 105:5, Psalm 145:9, James 1:17, Ex. 34:6, Matthew 7:11, 1 Chronicles 16:34, to name a few. It’s as if you were to turn to the word good in the dictionary and there would be God’s picture. Goodness = God, and vice versa.
What has been your experience of God’s goodness? What might you add to the lists above?
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 118: What is the Quality of Mercy? – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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