A manual of the book of Psalms · Martin Luther
PSALM CXVIII.
_An exhortation to praise God for his mercy.—The psalmist by his experience sheweth how good it is trust in God.—Under the type of the psalmist, the coming of Christ in his kingdom is expressed._ O give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good; because his mercy _endureth_ for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy _endureth_ for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy _endureth_ for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy _endureth_ for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, _and set me_ in a large place. The LORD _is_ on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see _my desire_ upon them that hate me. _It is_ better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in man: _It is_ better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 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.
Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. The LORD _is_ my strength and song, and is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation _is_ in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go in to them, _and_ I will praise the Lord; This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee; for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone _which_ the builders refused is become the head _stone_ of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it _is_ marvellous in our eyes. This _is_ the day _which_ the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed _be_ he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. God _is_ the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, _even_ unto the horns of the altar.
Thou _art_ my God, and I will praise thee; _thou art_ my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever. This is also a Psalm of thanksgiving. This Psalm, “O give thanks unto the Lord,” which I so much love and admire, is the one which I, in particular, call the golden Psalm; and is the Psalm which has often revived and comforted me in my temptations. The Psalmist gives thanks, and at the same time utters forth a prophecy concerning Christ, who by his suffering entered into glory; who is that stone rejected of the builders, which became the head of the corner; as Christ himself also saith, Matt. xxi. citing this Psalm. The Psalmist also describes with blessed feelings of heart the joyful day of the gospel, the day of salvation and peace, the day of joy and consolation, and the true and glorious feast-day. Among other things the Psalmist speaks of the church and the children of God, who are to be conformed to the image of his Son; shewing, that they must be surrounded with afflictions on every side, and by the cross and through death enter into glory. A brief summary, however, like this, cannot set forth the great and glorious contents of this Psalm: but my particular and more full Commentary on it will supply, in some measure, what is here wanting.
_This psalm containeth sundry prayers, praises, and professions of obedience._ Blessed _are_ the undefined in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed _are_ they that keep his testimonies, _and that_ seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded _us_ to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed _thereto_ according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed _art_ thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as _much as_ in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Deal bountifully with thy servant, _that_ I may live, and keep thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I _am_ a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing _that it hath_ unto thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud _that are_ cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit _and_ speak against me: _but_ thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also _are_ my delight _and_ my counsellors. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid _before me_. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it _unto_ the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with _my_ whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; _and_ quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who _is devoted_ to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments _are_ good. Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.