Psalm 118:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 118:1-18

It appears here, as often as elsewhere, that David had his heart full of the goodness of God. He loved to think of it, loved to speak of it, and was very solicitous that God might have the praise of it and others the comfort of it. The more our hearts are impressed with a sense of God's goodness the more they will be enlarged in all manner of obedience. In these verses, I. He celebrates God's mercy in general, and calls upon others to acknowledge it, from their own experience of it (Ps.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 118:5

I called upon the Lord in distress ,.... Or "out of that strait" F17 מן המצר "ex ipso angore", Junius & Tremellius; "ex illa angustia", Michaelis. ; when David was encompassed by Saul and his men, or when at the court of Achish, or when his own people talked of stoning him. As this may respect the Messiah, it may design his distresses in the garden, when surrounded with sorrow, and being in an agony prayed the more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:5

I called upon the Lord - I am a standing proof and living witness of God's mercy. Take encouragement from me. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:5

Verse 5 5I called upon God in my distress. We have here a particular application of the doctrine we formerly mentioned, to the person of David; with which also is conjoined the rejoicing of the whole Church, for whose public welfare God made provision by upholding him. By his own example he establishes the faithful, showing them that they ought not to faint in the day of adversity. He seems designedly to anticipate an objection, which is apt to arise in the minds of men the moment that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:1-21

Opposition, deliverance, thanksgiving. The psalmist (or the nation) is passing, or has just passed, through great distress. He (it) has been the object of malignant and determined attack; he has been surrounded by enemies, and been in peril of his life; he has then, as always, sought help from above; and he has been so graciously relieved that he has the sense of deliverance in his soul, and the song of triumph on his lips. I. HUMAN OPPOSITION . This begins in: 1. Hatred ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:1-29

The first eighteen verses are the song of the procession as it winds its way slowly up the hill to the great gate of the temple, sung alternately, as it would seem, by the two halves of the procession. Psalms 118:19 is the utterance of the leader, in the name of the whole hand, on their arrival before the gates. Psalms 118:20 is the reply made to them by those inside. The procession, as it enters, sings Psalms 118:21-24 antiphonally as before, all joining in Psalms 118:25 . Those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:5

I called upon the Lord in distress ; literally, from the strait place ; i . e . from the straits in which I was. It is generally agreed that the Babylonian captivity is intended. The nation had called to God in its distress by the mouth of Daniel ( Daniel 9:4-19 ) and of other holy men. The Lord answered me, and set me in a large place ; literally, the Lord answered me on the open plain . The idea is, "The Lord gave me enlargement"—took me out of my straits—"set my feet in a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:5-6

God's power in a human life. The figure in Psalms 118:5 is very striking and suggestive. The Hebrew is, "I called upon the Lord from the straitness;" or, "From the narrow gorge I called upon Jab, and Jab answered me in the open plain." It is not necessary to fix any historical associations to the psalm in order to see the point of such a figure. It does but poetically represent a common experience. Continually in human life we come upon times of straitness; our way is hedged up; it is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:5

I called upon the Lord in distress - Margin, as in Hebrew, “out of distress.” In the very midst of trouble he called upon the Lord; his voice was heard, as it were, coming from the depth of his sorrows. See the notes at Psalms 18:6.The Lord answered me - That is, he heard my prayers, and delivered me. See the notes at Psalms 18:6.And set me in a large place - I was before pressed on every side; sorrows compassed me around; I could not move; I had no liberty. Now he gave me space and freedom on... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 118:5-7

Psalms 118:5-7. I called upon the Lord in distress As if he had said, You may see an example of the divine mercy in me, who was in grievous straits and dangers, but, imploring God’s protection and help, he answered me, and set me in a large place He not only delivered me, but placed me in a secure condition, free from all such molestation. Dr. Waterland renders the clause, The Lord answered me with enlargement. The Lord is on my side It is evident he takes my part; I will not fear, ... read more

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