Psalm 118:9 NIV

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 118:9

It is better to trust in the Lord ,.... The Targum is, "in the Word of the Lord.' This is repeated for the sake of what follows: than to put confidence in princes ; who have greater ability to help, and whose honour should engage them to keep their word; and yet it is better to trust in the Lord than in them; see Psalm 146:3 . Two different words being used in this verse and Psalm 118:8 ; for trust and confidence, Jarchi has observed, that the one signifies a lesser, the other... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:9

In princes - Men of high estate are generally proud, vainglorious, self-confident, and rash: it is better to trust in God than in them. Often they cannot deliver, and often they will not when they can. However, in the concerns of our salvation, and in matters which belong to Providence, they can do nothing. 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 118:8-9

The really better may not be the apparently better. It may truly be said that the object of the discipline and experience of life is to deliver us from the fascination of what seems , and to get our conduct and relationships swayed and charactered and toned by what is . This, indeed, is presented in Eastern religions in extravagant forms. But we never need refuse to accept a truth, because somebody, somewhere, has exaggerated it into a mischievous untruth. Creatures conditioned by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:9

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes . The "princes" after Cyrus had proved "broken reeds," and, instead of favoring Israel, had favored Israel's enemies ( Ezra 4:6-24 ). At last Darius had done them justice, but it was felt that no sure dependence could be placed either on him or on his successors. Jehovah alone was Israel's safe ground of confidence, He "would not fail them, nor forsake them" ( Joshua 1:5 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:9

It is better ... than to put confidence in princes - Even in the most mighty of the human race; in those who of all people may be supposed to have the most ability to aid us; in those whose favor is often sought more than the favor of God. Princes are only men; often as faithless and deceitful as other men; often less reliable in their character than those in more humble life. and in the great matters where we most need aid - in sickness, in danger, in death, in the eternal world - as... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 118:8-9

Psalms 118:8-9. It is better to trust in the Lord It is much safer, and more to a person’s comfort; than to put confidence in man As mine enemies do in their own numbers, and in their powerful confederates. “Armies of men, however numerous, and, to appearance, powerful, may be routed and dispersed at once: princes may not be able to help us; if able, they may fail us, as not being willing to do it; if both able and willing, they may die ere they can execute their purpose. But that hope... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 118:1-29

Psalms 118:0 A procession of thanksgivingOriginally this hymn was apparently sung by a combination of the temple singers, the congregation and the king, to mark some great national occasion such as a victory in battle. The scene is set in the temple, where the royal procession enters the gates and moves to the altar (see v. 19,20,27).The singers call Israel to worship, and the congregation responds with praise to God for his steadfast love (1-4). The king then recounts how, in answer to prayer,... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 118:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:1-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:8-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 118:8-9

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 118:1-29

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