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Matthew Henry

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 118:8

It is better to trust in the Lord ,.... This, with what follows in Psalm 118:9 , is the conclusion from the above premises and experience; it is good to trust in the Lord; such enjoy peace, are in safety, shall not want any good thing, nor ever be ashamed and confounded: the Targum is, "it is better to trust in the Word of the Lord;' than to put confidence in man ; it is not good to put confidence in man at all; it is trusting to a broken staff, to a mere shadow, which can yield no... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 118:10

All nations compassed me about ,.... Not all the nations of the world, but all the neighbouring nations about Judea; as the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, and Syrians; and these not all at one time, but sometimes one, and sometimes another, whom David fought with and subdued: and these, applied to Christ, design Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel; who were gathered together against him, to do what God had determined should be done, Acts 4:27 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:8

Better to trust in the Lord - Man is feeble, ignorant, fickle, and capricious; it is better to trust in Jehovah than in such. 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:10

All nations compassed me about - This is by some supposed to relate to David, at the commencement of his reign, when all the neighboring Philistine nations endeavored to prevent him from establishing himself in the kingdom. Others suppose it may refer to the Samaritans, Idumeans, Ammonites, and others, who endeavored to prevent the Jews from rebuilding their city and their temple after their return from captivity in Babylon. But in the name of the Lord will I destroy them - Dr. Kennicott... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:8

Verse 8 8It is better to trust in Jehovah He appears to state nothing but what is common-place, it being unanimously admitted, that when God and men come into comparison, he must be viewed as infinitely exalted above them, and therefore it is best to trust in him for the aid which he has promised to his own people. All make this acknowledgment, and yet there is scarcely one among a hundred who is fully persuaded that God alone can afford him sufficient help. That man has attained a high rank... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:10

Verse 10 10.All nations compassed me In these verses he relates the wonderful deliverance which he had received, that all might know that it was not of human but divine origin. Once and again he declares, that he was compassed not by a few persons, but by a vast multitude. The people, being all inflamed with anger and fury against him, compassed him so that there were no means for his escape, and he could procure help from no quarter but from heaven. Some consider his complaint, that all... 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

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