Psalm 118:14 - The Lord Is My Strength, Song And Salvation.
Psalm 118:14; The Lord Is My Strength, Song And Salvation.
CONTENT
Psa 118:14 (NIV) The Lord is my strength and my song; he has
become my salvation.
[The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.]
Like , drawn from Moses' song, , the first of
the Church's thanksgiving songs, and the basis of subsequent ones
.... Salvation perfected was especially associated with the
feast of tabernacles, the occasion when this psalm was sung. Hosanna
was the usual cry .... When the singers reached the first
verse of all the company shook their lulabs, or bunches of
branches tied together; also at the 25th and at the 29th verses.
(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
These words are a quotation from the "Song of Moses" (Ex. 15:2);
they are also quoted in Isa. 12:2. [Nelson SB]
In the Hebrew this verse is identical with the first part of Ex.
15:2. The psalmist may have recalled Israel's great deliverance at the
Red Sea. [SDA Commentary]
The word "strength" denotes his power in saving (68:28; 86:16;
89:10; 132:8; Isa 51:9) while "salvation" (yeshu'ah; cf. v. 15,
"victory" [yeshu'ah]) suggests the whole process of his mighty acts, his
judgment on the adversaries, and his help to his children, including the
final climactic celebrations of his victory. The second word ("song")
occurs three times in the bound phrase "my strength and my song" (here;
Exod 15:2; Isa 12:2). In these contexts "song" could mean "victory
song," but some have suggested a cognate meaning of "protection,"
[Expositors Bible Commentary]
Song (i.e., his Source of joy),
Salvation (deliverance). [Bible Knowledge Commentary]
Salvation: He has saved me. I live because he preserved me.
(Barnes' Notes)
CONTEXT
Psalms 111-118 are called hallelujah psalms. Hallelujah means
"praise the LORD"
Psalms 115-118 were traditionally sung at the Passover meal,
commemorating Israel's escape from slavery in Egypt. [Life Application SB]
Psalms 113-118 are sung yearly by devout Jews at the celebration
of Passover, the first two (113-114) before and the last four
(115-118) after the Passover meal. Thus it is possible that these Psalms
were the last songs our Lord sang before His crucifixion (Mark
14:26). [Your Daily Walk SB mod]
Psalm 118 is the last of the "Hallel" or "praise" psalms (Ps.
113-118), which were sung at the Passover. This was probably the hymn sung
by Jesus and the disciples in the Upper Room before they departed
for the Mount of Olives (see Matt. 26:30). [New Bible Companion]
Ps. 118 is a congregational song of praise. [SDA Commentary]
Ps. 118 is a psalm of individual declarative praise, a messianic
psalm. [New Bible Companion]
Psalm 118 is a song of praise and thanksgiving for God's saving
goodness and victory.
1-4. The Invocation to Praise. O give thanks unto the Lord. This
call to thanksgiving and praise was the signal for beginning the
procession to the Temple.
5-21. The theme throughout this passage is one of rejoicing that
God has given deliverance and victory. [Wycliffe Bible Commentary]
This psalm of jubilant thanksgiving was sung by worshipers in
procession to the Temple. It contains an acclamation of praise (vv. 1-4),
an acknowledgment of past distress, petition, and deliverance by
God (vv. 5-21), and an anticipation of the future day when the
Foundation Stone will bring salvation (vv. 22-29). [Ryrie SB]
Psalms, the Heartbeat of the Bible: Any way you look at it,
Psalms is the heart and center of the Bible. The middle chapter of the
Bible is Psalm 117. The middle verse of the Bible is Psalm 118:8--"It
is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men.'' [Daily
Walk Bible]
The Center Of The Bible:
Did you know:
1. Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
2. Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible.
3. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible.
4. There are 594 chapters before and 594 chapters after Psalm
118.
5. All the chapters before and after Psalm 118 total 1188
chapters.
6. This number found in Psalm 118:8 is the middle verse of the
entire Bible and it conveys a very important message: "It is better to
take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."
7. This central verse is the central theme of the entire Bible.
[source unknown mod]
COMMENTARY APPLICATION
The Jewish people sing Psalms 113 to 118 at Passover, so this is
one of the songs that Jesus sang before He went to the Garden to
pray (Matt. 28:30). If you knew you were going to be executed
unjustly, would you be able to sing praises to the Lord?
This is also a messianic psalm. The crowds shouted verses 25-26
as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matt. 21:9), and Jesus
quoted verses 22-23 in His debate with the religious leaders (Matt.
21:33-46).
But it is also a song of praise, thanking God for deliverance
from a difficult situation (vv. 10-14). The name of the Lord (vv.
10-12) and the hand of the Lord (vv. 15-16) can give you the victory
you need. When you are hemmed in by the enemy (vv. 10-12), cry out
to God and He will put you into "a broad place" (v. 5). He will
open the gates for you and give you new freedom (vv. 19-20).
Claim verse 24 for every day that you live. [Chapter by Chapter
Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Psalm 118]
Look back to see ahead. Turn to yesterday to see tomorrow. It's
almost a paradox. But it's true. When Israel looked back each Passover
season at the redemption won for them from Egypt, they were in fact
looking ahead, and viewing the ministry of the Messiah. What will His
coming mean? A shout of praise, that "His love endures forever" (vv.
2-4). Freedom found by taking refuge in the LORD (vv. 5-9). A fresh
awareness of our desperate need, relieved by the fact that the LORD "has
become my salvation" (vv. 10-14). Shouts of joy punctuating the
realization that "I will not die but live" (vv. 15-18). Endless praise, as
we enter the gates of heaven to give God thanks for our salvation
(vv. 19-21). And in it all, the exaltation of Jesus who, rejected by
the builders, became the cornerstone of God's plan of salvation (vv.
22-23). Then comes the stunning realization that "this is the day that
the LORD has made"--a day that spills over into eternity; a
never-ending day throughout which we will give God thanks, exalting Him for
He is "my God" and because "He is good; His love endures forever."
Today when you and I turn to look back, we see our tomorrow in the
cross of Jesus, our Passover sacrifice. In the shadow of Calvary we
sense the dawn of the day that the LORD has ordained for you and me.
When we turn again after looking back at the cross, and look ahead,
we can see just beyond the horizon of tomorrow the return of
Christ. What will that return mean? How clearly this majestic psalm
tells us. For you and for me, Christ's return will mean freedom,
shouts of joy, and endless days of praise. Application: When you look
back to the cross, look intently until you see tomorrow. [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
This verse probably quoted from Exodus of the first recorded
song in Scripture is a pattern for true worship, for it emphasizes
the Lord, who He is, and what He has done for His people. He saves
His people, guides them to their inheritance, glorifies His name,
and reigns forever. Today, let God be your strength, your song, and
your salvation. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren
Wiersbe re Exo.15:2]
How judiciously are the members of this sentence arranged! He
who has God for his strength, will have him for his song; and he to
whom Yahwey has become salvation, will exalt his name. (Adam Clarke
Commentary re Exo.15:2)
When they walked by sight, Israel complained; but when they
believed God and saw His mighty hand at work, they praised Him.
Redemption should lead to rejoicing (Luke 15:1-24). [Chapter by Chapter
Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Exo.15:2]
You and I can decide to fill our homes and our thoughts with
tunes that celebrate what God has done, who He is, and what He will
surely do for us. This is one of the most important things we can do
for our children as well as for our own spiritual growth and peace
of mind. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary re Exo.15:2]
CROSS REFERENCES
Exodus 15:2 (KJV) The Lord is my strength and song, and he is
become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an
habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Isaiah 12:2 (KJV) Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust,
and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song;
he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 45:22 (KJV) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends
of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
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