Psalm 118 (KJV) — Full Chapter, Summary & Meaning

1O 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.

9It 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.

17I 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.

25Save 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.

Psalm 118, explained

What Psalm 118 is saying

Psalm 118, the climax of the Egyptian Hallel, is a royal thanksgiving psalm featuring a processional entry into the temple with the famous declaration: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.' The psalm moves from personal deliverance through corporate celebration to liturgical entrance through the 'gates of righteousness.' Jesus applies the cornerstone verse to Himself (Matt 21:42).

The background behind it

The psalm was sung at the conclusion of the Passover Seder and during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Hosanna procession (v. 25, 'Save us, we pray') circled the altar. The crowd's use of verse 26 ('Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD') during Jesus's triumphal entry gives the psalm profound christological weight.

Themes running underneath

The rejected-stone metaphor encapsulates reversal theology: what humans discard, God makes foundational. The refrain 'His loving devotion endures forever' frames the entire psalm in covenant faithfulness. The interplay of individual testimony and communal response models how personal deliverance enriches corporate worship.

Why it still matters

This psalm challenges the human tendency to define significance by conventional standards. God's cornerstone is always the rejected stone—a principle that redefines success, leadership, and value in God's economy.

Psalm 118

Psalm 118, explained

What Psalm 118 is saying

The background behind it

Themes running underneath

Why it still matters

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