Psalm 118 (117):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us examine this psalm from its outset. What is the beginning? “Confess yourselves unto the Lord, for He is good; for everlasting is His mercy.” After highlighting the goodness of God in creation and the constant compassion He displays in all aspects of life, the prophet invites everyone to join in gratitude, drawing attention to the greatest and most significant of His blessings.

In this Psalm, we learn that when we declare Hallelujah, which signifies "Praise the Lord," we should respond to the call to "Confess to the Lord" (Psalm 116:1) by offering our praise. Our admiration for God can be summed up succinctly: "For He is good." Such succinctness carries a weighty significance, as goodness is an essential attribute of God. When someone called the Son of God "Good Teacher"—seeing only His humanity and not His divine fullness—He responded, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God" (Mark 10:17-18). This reveals that to recognize Him as good, one must acknowledge His divinity. Enveloped in prophecy for a people liberated from toil and association with the wicked, they find freedom through God’s grace, who not only refrains from repaying evil with evil, but instead counteracts it with good. Therefore, it is fitting to add, "Because His mercy endures forever."

Let Israel now confess, "He is good," and "His mercy endures forever" (Psalm 116:2). Let the house of Aaron now proclaim His enduring mercy (Psalm 116:3). Yes, let all who revere the Lord acknowledge that His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 116:4). Beloved, you remember the significance of Israel and Aaron's house, both revered among the small and the great, joyfully celebrated in your hearts in another psalm: we should rejoice together in His grace, recognizing Him as good and His mercy everlasting. This acknowledgment leads to a prayer: "May the Lord multiply you and your children"—a blessing for the Israelites who believed in Christ and for whom the apostles were the first, adding a multitude of Gentiles to the community of faith, thereby glorifying the perfect and instilling obedience in the children of God, so that together as one body under Christ, we can say, "I called upon the Lord in trouble, and the Lord heard me" (Psalm 116:5). The confinement of our trials seems narrow, yet the path we traverse is boundless. Who can bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? (Romans 8:33).

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man may do to me (Psalm 116:6). But are humans our only adversaries? What is a mere man but flesh and blood? The apostle teaches that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12)—specifically, the devil and his angels; this adversary whom he refers to in another verse as the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Ephesians 2:2). Thus, hear this declaration: The Lord is my helper; therefore, I scorn my foes (Psalm 116:7). Regardless of whether my enemies arise from wicked men or evil angels, with the Lord as my aid, we will dismiss them as insignificant.

However, when my foes are brought low, let not a friend present himself to me as a reliable ally, urging me to trust in him; for it is better to depend on the Lord than to put one’s confidence in man (Psalm 116:8). Likewise, let me not regard anyone, even if considered a good angel, as someone to rely on; for there is no human who is good but God alone (Mark 10:18). When a person or angel aids us from genuine love, it is ultimately through the grace of Him who created them good. Thus, it is better to trust in the Lord than in nobles (Psalm 116:9). Even angels are designated as nobles, as illustrated when Daniel refers to Michael as your prince (Daniel 12:1).

All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord, I cut them down (Psalm 117:10). Though I was ensnared on every side, in the name of the Lord, I overcame them (Psalm 117:11). This reflects the struggles and victories of the Church; if one wonders how she could triumph over such immense evil, one reflects back on her experiences, noting that "they surrounded me on all sides." The term "all nations" is not reiterated here, as it pertains specifically to the actions of the Jews. That same religious group, representing Christ’s body and for whose sake all that transpired in the mortal realm, faced persecution of those whose flesh Christ so willingly embraced when He hung upon the cross.

They swarmed around me like bees swarm a hive and flared like fire among thorns, but in the name of the Lord, I avenged them (Psalm 117:12). The arrangement of these words mirrors the unfolding of events. Our Lord, the head of His Church, was besieged by antagonists much like bees encircle their hive. The Holy Spirit speaks with profound subtlety about the actions of those who acted without knowledge of the implications. Just as bees produce honey in the hive, His persecutors unknowingly rendered Him sweeter through His Passion, allowing us to experience and savor the sweetness of the Lord, who died for our transgressions and was resurrected for our justification (Romans 4:25). Furthermore, the flames that consumed thorns refer to His Body, which was gathered from all nations and faced the flames of persecution, purging this sinful flesh and the burdens of mortal suffering. Their vengeance was upon them because the very evil that motivated them ultimately passed away, allowing them to join the body of Christ, or because those who currently disregard His mercy will ultimately face the truth of divine judgment.

I was pushed down like a heap of sand, and I faltered, yet the Lord upheld me (Psalm 117:13). Though there were many believers, they might be likened to countless grains of sand gathered in unity; but what is man that You are mindful of him? He does not say, "the multitude of Gentiles exceeded the number of my followers," but rather, "the Lord sustained me." The opposition from Gentiles did not result in the collapse of the faithful community.

The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation (Psalm 116:14). Who then falters when challenged except for those who rely on their own strength and praise? No one falters in a contest unless their strength and praise fail them. Therefore, he who derives strength and praise from the Lord shall not fall, as the Lord does not fall. For this reason, He became their salvation—not that He became something He was not, but that those who believed in Him transformed into what they were not before, recognizing Him as their salvation upon turning toward Him, which He was not to them when they turned from Him.

In the dwellings of the righteous, there is joyful and healing presence (Psalm 117:15); while those who opposed their flesh may have imagined a cry of despair, they were unaware of the profound joy the saints anticipate. Hence, the apostle expresses, "I am sorrowful, but always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10), and again, "We also rejoice in our sufferings" (Romans 5:3).

The right hand of the Lord has accomplished mighty deeds (Psalm 117:16). What could these mighty deeds be? The right hand of the Lord has lifted me up. Consider what greatness means—to elevate the lowly, to transform the mortal into the divine, to derive excellence from weakness, glory from submission, victory from suffering—to provide aid and deliverance from distress; that the true salvation of God might be disclosed to those who endure suffering, while the salvation of men leaves those who persecute without recourse. These actions are magnificent; why marvel? Pay attention to his affirmation: the right hand of the Lord has done great things.

I shall not perish, but live and declare the works of the Lord (Psalm 117:17). Meanwhile, those who spread destruction and death believed the church of Christ was fading. Observe how he now proclaims the works of the Lord. In all places, Christ is celebrated through the glorious testimony of the blessed martyrs, for in being vanquished, He triumphed over those who struck Him; enduring torment, He loved even those who rebelled against Him.

Yet, let us contemplate why the Body of Christ, the Holy Church, the community of the chosen, has endured such trials. The Lord has disciplined and corrected me, but he has not forsaken me (Psalm 116:18). The arrogant wicked should not assume their power is unchallenged; they would not hold such authority if it were not granted from above. Often, a father delegates his sons' correction to the most inconsequential of servants, yet while creating an inheritance for his sons, he restrains the latter. What is this inheritance? Is it material wealth or land? Let us perceive what this truly means.

“Open for me the gates of righteousness” (Psalm 117:19). We have been told of a gate; what exists within? "That I may enter and give thanks to the Lord." This represents a testament of wonder—a declaration of praise resounding in the house of God, echoing joyfully among the worshippers; this signifies the eternal happiness of the righteous, who dwell in the abode of the Lord, eternally praising Him.

Reflect upon those who enter through the gates of righteousness. The righteous shall enter therein (Psalm 116:20). Let no wicked individual enter into the heavenly Jerusalem that receives no unclean man, where it is stated, “Outside are the dogs” (Revelation 22:15). It suffices that during my prolonged exile, I coexisted among the tents of Kedar, enduring the company of the wicked, but this is the gate of the Lord; the virtuous shall pass through.

I confess to You, O Lord, for You have answered me and have become my salvation (Psalm 116:21). How often is the expression of gratitude from one who doesn’t point out their injuries to the healer, but instead thanks Him for the healing received, recognized as commendable. But the Physician is He who embodies salvation.

Who are we discussing? "The stone which the builders rejected" became the cornerstone (Psalm 116:22), uniting the two into a new creation, establishing peace, and reconciling both to God in one Body (Ephesians 2:15-16)—the circumcised and the uncircumcised. The Lord made Him the cornerstone (Psalm 117:23); although He wouldn’t have become this without suffering, those who caused His suffering did not make it so. The builders rejected Him, yet in the hidden construction that the Lord established, He became the cornerstone that was set aside. This is marvelous before our eyes: in the perspective of the inner being—those who believe, who hope, who love—not in the fleshly sight of those who, disregarding Him as merely a man, spurned Him.

"This is the day which the Lord has made" (Psalm 117:24). This reflects back to what was stated in preceding psalms: "Because He inclined His ear to me, I will call upon Him as long as I live," reflecting on former times; now, he proclaims, "This is the day which the Lord has made"—the day of salvation that He has granted. It is that day which was referred to: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation, I have helped you" (Isaiah 49:8). The day in which the Mediator became the cornerstone. Let us therefore rejoice and be glad in it.

"Save me, O Lord; prosper my way, O Lord" (Psalm 116:25). Since it is the day of salvation, save me; for as we return from a long journey, we find ourselves separated from those who hated the world, with whom we shared peace, but upon speaking with them, declared war against us without cause; prosper our journey home, for You are our Way.

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" (Psalm 117:26). Therefore, cursed is he who comes in his own name, as highlighted in the Gospel: "If another comes in his own name, him you shall receive" (John 5:43). We bless you from the house of God, believing these are words spoken by the great unto the humble; those great in spirit resonate with the Word of God, being with the Father as far as possible in this life while tailoring their speech for the benefit of the humble to express what the apostle states: "Whether we are out of our minds, it’s for God; or whether we are in our right mind, it’s for you" (2 Corinthians 5:13-14). They offer blessings to the children from the interior of the Lord's house, where this praise is unceasing throughout generations, so consider what they invoke from there.

Alleluia. The new community, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is instructed to call upon their sole Savior, the self-revealing Word of God. In times of trial, they should seek all assistance in Him, that is, divine aid from above, and express gratitude for His triumph. They are to turn to God's self-revealing Word during persecution for every support, for heavenly help, and to offer thanks for His victories. Furthermore, they should seek His guidance along the paths that lead to righteousness and, above all, confess to the Lord, who is referred to as 'the stone rejected by the builders,' yet has become 'the chief cornerstone' (Psalm 117:22). Proclaim unto the Lord that He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

Hallelujah. This hymn is presented to God by those who have received salvation. When the Jews returned, the surrounding nations united, envious of their past fortunes, and summoned additional nations, including some barbaric ones, to assist them. However, as foretold by the prophets Joel, Ezekiel, Micah, and Zechariah, they were ravaged by the plagues that God sent. In response, the redeemed raised this song of gratitude to the Lord. Moreover, since what transpired with the Jews also reflects our experiences, this hymn resonates deeply with the Gentiles who believed. They endured persecution and affliction at the hands of numerous rulers and authorities, enduring countless forms of suffering, yet ultimately triumphed over their adversaries.

Alleluia. The words of Theodoret highlight that the Jews sang this hymn in gratitude to God upon their return from Babylon, when they faced opposition from neighboring and arrogant nations, which were struck down by divine plagues. As we see ourselves represented in their experience, this song speaks to the faith of Gentiles who have believed. Isychias notes that David frequently extols the act of confession, recognizing that through it, sinners receive profound assistance and healing for their spiritual wounds. "Confess unto the Lord, how good He is, how everlasting is His mercy." David echoes similar sentiments in Psalm 105 (Psalms 105:1), where he expands on this theme. He counsels to confess your sins before the Lord, for He is gracious and forgiving to those who admit their wrongs; His mercy, as Eusebius asserts, is unwavering and perpetual for the repentant.

Alleluia. David, having been granted royal authority and understanding his duty to reign for the benefit of the church, encourages all the people of Israel to express gratitude to God and celebrate His kindness. He recounts his adversities, the sheer number and severity of which could have overwhelmed him countless times had it not been for God's miraculous assistance. He emphasizes that his ascension to the throne was not achieved through his own efforts or cleverness but was divinely orchestrated. It is important to note that the Holy Spirit, through the allegory of this earthly kingdom, intends to illustrate for us the everlasting and spiritual reign of the Son of God, whose presence David represents.

This psalm clearly serves as a hymn of gratitude following the successful passage through a significant peril. Most ancient scholars attribute it to David, who likely composed it either after being recognized as king by all the tribes or after he had triumphed over the pagan nations surrounding him. Early commentators, including Blessed Theodoret, have traditionally linked this psalm to a time after the spring, and it is now widely believed to have been sung during the dedication of Zerubbabel’s temple or its consecration; verse 19 alludes to the feast of consecration, suggesting there were no gates during the laying. The psalm opens with an exhortation to the priests and the congregation to extol the Lord's compassion. Those addressing the people encourage Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord to proclaim their gratitude to Him.

This Psalm, uttered to David by the Holy Spirit, overflows with joy and gladness, expressing the boundless and profound mercy of God, who is the God of humanity. It offers heartfelt praise and gratitude to Him on the day of His glorious victory, when the entire nation of Israel was united under the singular sovereignty of David, symbolizing the unification of every tribe and language into the kingdom of Christ the Lord, the King of eternal glory, on that magnificent day of His solemn Resurrection. Give thanks also to Christ, the Savior of mankind, who remains constant in His mercy toward those who repent; His compassion is everlasting and unchangeable.

The third antiphon draws from Psalm 117, a hymn of thanksgiving that expresses gratitude for the leader's protection during battle and acknowledges the victory granted to him. The selected verses of this psalm relate closely to the event being commemorated, reflecting the likeness of this leader to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Following His Baptism, when the abundant grace of the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon Him, Christ emerged not only unscathed from the temptations of the devil in the wilderness but also triumphant over him. This victory of Christ against the adversary is celebrated in the verses of the antiphon.