the two psalms, 117th and 118th, are place together because, though each is a distinct portion in itself,
the 117th is an exordium (introduction) to that which follows it,
V1- O PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YE NATIONS: PRAISE HIM ALL YE PEOPLE.
V2- FOR HIS MERCYFUL KINDNESS IS GREAT TOWARD US:
AND THE TRUTH OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOR EVER.
PRAISE YE THE LORD.
an address and an invitation to the gentile and heathen world to acknowledge and praise Jehovah.
we are now arrived at the concluding portion of the humn, which Christ and His disciples sung preparatory to their going forth to the mount of olives.
'but I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom'. and after singing a humn, they went out.' matthew26.29-30
nothing could be more appropriate or better fitted to comfort and encourage, at that awful period, than a prophecy which, over leaping the suffering to be endured, showed forth the glory that was afterwards to follow, and a song of triumph, then only recited, but in due time to be literally acted, when the cross was to be succeeded by a crown. this psalm is not only frequently quoted in the new testament, but it was also partially applied at one period of our saviour's sojourn on earth, and thus we are afforded decisive testimony to the purpose for which it is originally and prophetically destined. it was partially used at the time when Messiah, in the days of His humiliation, was received with triumph and acclamation into jerusalem; and we may conclude it will be fully enacted, when our glorified and triumphant Lord, coming with ten thousand of His saints, will again stand upon the earth and receive the promised salutation, 'blessed be the King that cometh in the name of Jehovah.' this dramatic representation of Messiah coming in glory, to take His great power and reign among us, is apportioned to the chief character, 'the King of kings and Lord of lords', to His saints following Him in procession, and to the priests and levites, representing the jewish nation.
the Conqueror and His attendants sing the 117th psalm, an introductory hymn, inviting all, jews and gentiles, to share in the merciful kindness of God, and to sing His praises. it is a gathering together of all the Lord's people, to be witnesses and partakers of His glory. the first three verses of the 118th psalm are sung by single voices.
the first voice repeats,
V1- O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD;
FOR HE IS GOOD
BECAUSE HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER
another single voice calls on israel to acknowledge this great truth
V2- LET ISRAEL NOW SAY, THAT HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER
and a third invited the house of aaron, the priesthood, to acknowlege their share in Jehovah's love.
V3- LET THE HOUSE OF AARON NOW SAY, THAT HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER.
the fourth verse is a chorus; the whole procession, the living and the dead who are raised to meet Christ (I thess. 4.16), shout aloud the burden of the song, verse 1.
V4- LET THEM NOW THAT FEAR THE LORD SAY, THAT HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER.
arrived at the temple gate, or rather, the gate of jerusalem, the Conqueror alone sings..He begins by recounting the circumstances of His distress, next, He tells of His refuge: I betook me to God, I told Him my sorrows, and He hear Me. v5-7
V5- I CALLED UPON THE LORD IN DISTRESS;
THE LORD
ANSWERED ME, AND
SET ME IN A LARGE PLACE.
V6- THE LORD IS ON MY SIDE
I WILL NOT FEAR:
WHAT CAN MAN DO UNTO ME?
V7- THE LORD TAKETH MY PART WITH THEM THAT HELP ME
THEREFORE SHALL I SEE MY DESIRE UPON THEM THAT HATE ME.
the procession, in chorus, sings vs 8-9, taking up the substance of Messiah's chaunt (obs. for chant..like the sound of it..rather regal..) ,and fully echoing the sentiment, 'it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes'.
V8- IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN MAN.
V9- IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN PRINCES.
the Conqueror alone again sings v10-14
V10- ALL NATIONS COMPASSED ME ABOUT; BUT IN THE NAME OF THE LORD I WILL DESTROY THEM.
V11- THEY COMPASSED ME ABOUT;
YEA, THEY COMPASSED ME ABOUT;
BUT IN THE NAME OF THE LORD I WILL DESTROY THEM.
V12- THEY COMPASSED BE ABOUT LIKE BEES;
THEY ARE QUENCHED AS THE FIRE OF THORNS;
FOR IN THE NAME OF THE LORD I WILL DESTROY THEM.
V13- THOU HAST THRUST SORE AT ME THAT I MIGHT FALL; BUT
THE LORD HELPED ME.
V14- THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SONG, AND
IS BECOME MY SALVATION.
the procession in chorus, v15-6, attributes their Lord's great deliverance to His righteous person, and to His righteous cause. justice and equity and truth, all demanded that Messiah should not be trodden down. 'was it not Thine arm, O Jehovah, which has gotten Thee the victory?'
V15- THE VOICE OF REJOICING AND SALVATION IS IN THE TABERNACLES OF THE RIGHTEOUS;
THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD DOETH VALIANTLY.
V16- THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD US EXALTED;
THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD DOETH VALIANTLY.
Messiah now takes up the language of a conqueror, v17-9
My sufferings were sore, but
they were only for a season.
I laid down My life, and
I now take it up again:
and then, with a loud voice, as when He aroused lazarus out of the grave,
He cries to those within the walls,
'open to Me the gates of righteousness:
I will go into them, and
I will praise the Lord.
V17- I SHALL NOT DIE,
BUT LIVE,
AND DECLARE THE WORKS OF THE LORD.
V18- THE LORD HATH CHASTENED ME SORE;
BUT HE HATH NOT GIVEN ME OVER TO DEATH.
V19- OPEN TO ME THE GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS;
I WILL GO INTO THEM, AND
I WILL PRAISE THE LORD.
the priests and levites within instantly obey His command, and
while they throw open the gates, they sing,
V20- THIS IS THE GATE OF THE LORD,
INTO WHICH THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL ENTER.
as He enters, the Conqueror alone repeats v21.
His sorrows are ended,
His victory is complete.
the objects for which He lived and died, and
for which His prayers were offered,
are now fulfulled,
and thus, in a few short words He expresses His joy and gratitude to God.
V21- I WILL PRAISE THEE;
FOR THOU HAST HEARD ME, AND
ART BECOME MY SALVATION.
the priests and levites sing in chorus v22-4.
depositaries and expounders of the prophecies as they had long been,
they now, for the first time,
quote and apply one,
isaiah 28.16,
which held a conspicuous place,
but never before was intelligible to jewish ears.
'the man of sorrows',
the stone which the builders refused,
is become the headstone of the corner.
V22- THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REFUSED
IS BECOME THE HEAD STONE OF THE CORNER.
V23- THIS IS THE LORD'S DOING;
IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES.
V24- THIS IS THE DAY WHICH THE FORD HATH MADE;
WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.
the Conqueror is now within the gates, and
proceeds to accomplish His good purpose,
luke 1.68- blessed be the Lord God of israel;
for He hath
visited and
redeemed His people.
V25- SAVE NOW,
I BESEECH THEE,
SEND NOW PROSPERITY.
the priests and levites are led by the Spirit to use the words foretold by our Lord, matthew 23.39
V26- BLESSED BE HE THAT COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
WE HAVE BLESSED YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.
the Conqueror and His train now praise God,
who has given light and deliverance and salvation,
and they offer to Him the sacrifice of thanksgiving
(note- maybe not understanding the technical usage of the immediately preceding phrase, but would it not better describe what is said that 'they collectively recognize , with great appreciation, the active part of God the Father, as He-through human instrumentality- offered up His beloved Son, just as abraham offered up issac for Him, for them all?)
for all that they enjoy.
V27- GOD IS THE LORD,
WHICH HATH SHOWN US LIGHT;
BIND THE SACRIFICE WITH CORDS,
EVEN UNTO THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR
the Conqueror alone next makes a solemn acknowledgment of gratitude and praise to Jehovah,
V28-THOU ART MY GOD, AND
I WILL PRAISE THEE;
THOU ART MY GOD,
I WILL EXALT THEE.
and then,
all being within the gates,
the united body,
triumphant procession,
priests and levites,
end, as they commenced,
V29- O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD;
FOR HE IS GOOD;
FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER.
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