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PSALM 118
THE ARGUMENT
This Psalm most probably was composed by David, when the civil wars between the houses of Saul and David were ended, and David was newly settled in the kingdom of all Israel, and had newly brought up the ark of God to his royal city, But though this was the occasion, yet David, or at least the Spirit of God, which indited this Psalm, had a further reach and higher design in it, and especially in the latter part of it, which was to carry the reader’s thoughts beyond the type to the antitype, the Messias and his kingdom, who was chiefly intended in it; which is apparent both from the testimonies produced out of it to that purpose in the New Testament, as Mat_21:9,42 Mr 12:10,11 Ac 4:11, &c.; and from the consent of the Hebrew doctors, both ancient and modern; one evidence whereof is, that in their prayers for their Messiah they use some part of this Psalm; and from the matter itself, as we shall see hereafter. The form of this Psalm may seem to be dramatical, and several parts of it are spoken in the name of several persons, yet so that the distinction of the persons and their several passages is not expressed, but left to the observation of the intelligent and diligent reader, as it is in the book of the Song of Solomon, and in some part of Ecclesiastes, and in many profane writers. David speaks in his own name from the beginning to verse 22, and from thence to verse 25 in the name of the people, and thence to verse 27 in the name of the priests, and then concludes in his own name.
The psalmist exhorteth all the godly to praise the Lord, who had been merciful to them, Psa_118:1-4. By his own experience showeth how good it is to trust in the Lord, who had delivered him from his enemies, Psa_118:5-18. Under the type of the psalmist, the coming of Christ, whom the chief of the people refuse, is expressed and blessed, Psa_118:19-29.
O give thanks; all sorts of persons, which are particularly expressed in the three next verses, as they are mentioned in like manner and order Psa_115:9-11, See Poole "Psa_115:9", See Poole "Psa_115:10", See Poole "Psa_115:11"