Psalm 118 (117):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is not a juxtaposition between God and humanity; rather, Scripture frequently employs such expressions regarding matters that cannot truly be compared due to the limitations of those who hear. Thus, the message is not meant to draw a parallel, but to accommodate the understanding of the listeners. Another prophet declares, “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man” (Jeremiah 17:5). There is no more fragile reliance than that on humanity; it is weaker than a spider's web. Moreover, such trust is perilous—those who have relied on human beings and faced ruin alongside them can attest to this. In contrast, trust in God is steadfast and secure, resistant to any alteration.

In this Psalm, we learn that when we utter Hallelujah, meaning "Praise the Lord," we should respond with praise when we hear the phrase "Confess to the Lord" (Psalm 116:1). Our adoration of God is succinctly expressed in the affirmation: "For He is good." Such brevity carries profound significance, as God's goodness is a remarkable attribute. The Son of God Himself, when addressed as the Good Teacher—by one who perceives His humanity without recognizing His divine essence—replied, "Why do you call Me good?" There is no one good except for God alone (Mark 10:17-18). This invites the understanding that acknowledging His goodness necessitates recognizing His divine nature. This revelation is intended for a people liberated from toil, wandering in worship, and estranged from wickedness, receiving this freedom through God's grace, who not only refrains from repaying evil with evil but also responds to evil with goodness; thus, we add, "Because His mercy endures forever."

Let Israel now affirm His goodness and the everlasting nature of His mercy (Psalm 116:2). Let the house of Aaron proclaim His mercy is eternal (Psalm 116:3). Indeed, let all who worship the Lord acknowledge His enduring mercy (Psalm 116:4). Beloved, you surely remember the significance of both the house of Israel and the house of Aaron, and that they all revere the Lord. These represent the great and small, joyfully portrayed in your hearts in another Psalm; we should rejoice as we are united in His grace, who is good and whose mercy is everlasting. For we have heard the assurance: "May the Lord bless you richly, you and your children," that to the Israelites who believed in Christ, of whom the apostles were a part, there would be a multitude of Gentiles added, for the exaltation of the perfect and the obedience of the children; so that together as one in Christ, we might be a single flock under one Shepherd, and the body of that Head might declare, "I called upon the Lord in trouble; the Lord answered me" (Psalm 116:5). The confines of our trials are limited, yet the great path we tread extends without end. Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? (Romans 8:33).

The Lord is my supporter; I will not fear what people may do to me (Psalm 116:6). But are humans the sole adversaries of the Church? Is not a man focused on the flesh and blood simply flesh and blood? The apostle reminds us: Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). In essence, this refers to the devil and his angels, identified in another place as the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). Therefore, understand this: The Lord is my ally; I will disdain my foes (Psalm 116:7). Regardless of the source of my adversities—be it from wicked men or malevolent spirits—through the Lord’s assistance, whom we will praise with a Hallelujah, they shall be disregarded.

However, when my enemies are held in contempt, I should not allow my friend, presenting himself as virtuous, to encourage me to put my trust in him; for it is better to trust in the Lord than to depend on mere man (Psalm 116:8). Likewise, I shouldn’t consider anyone who may be viewed as a good angel as someone to rely on; for no one is good except God alone (Mark 10:18). When a person or angel seeks to assist us out of genuine love, such help comes through Him who instills goodness within them. Therefore, it is better to trust in the Lord than in princes (Psalm 116:9). Indeed, angels are referred to as princes, as we see in Daniel, where Michael is called your prince (Daniel 12:1).

All nations encompassed me, but by the name of the Lord, I cut them down (Psalm 117:10). I was besieged on every side—held fast—yet in the name of the Lord, I triumphed over them (Psalm 117:11). This signifies the struggles and victories of the Church, and if one were to inquire how such overwhelming evil could be overcome, they would see that the Church recalls this example, echoing the feelings it initially experienced, and adds this insight: "They pressed me on all sides." The phrase "all nations" is not repetitively stated here, as this concerns only the actions of the Jews, who engaged in persecution of Christ’s body—the faithful harvest of His passion, all accomplished through His divine power manifest in mortal form.

They surged upon me like bees in a swarm, burning like fire among thorns; yet, by the name of the Lord, I avenged them (Psalm 117:12). The sequence of words aligns appropriately with the events they describe. For our Lord, who is the Head of the Church, was encircled by His persecutors much like bees surrounding a hive. The Holy Spirit speaks with mystical insight about the actions of those unaware of the full weight of their deeds. Bees produce sweetness in the hive, and though His persecutors understood it not, they made Him even more precious to us through His suffering; that we might experience and recognize how sweet is the Lord who died for our sins and resurrected for our justification (Romans 4:25). The burning thorns can be understood as referring to His Body, the gathered community from all nations, who faced trials through the flames of persecution. Retribution was rendered to them: either because the evil within them that pursued the righteous has perished, integrating into the body of Christ; or because those who now scorn the mercy of Him who called them will ultimately face the truth of their Judge.

I was thrust down like a heap of sand; I fell, but the Lord supported me (Psalm 117:13). Though numerous believers existed, likened to countless grains of sand compiled into one mound, who is humanity that You should remember him? He did not declare, "The multitude of Gentiles can’t exceed my numbers," but instead stated, "The Lord upheld me." The trial of the Gentiles did not lead to the downfall of the congregation of believers unified in faith.

The Lord is my strength, my song, and has become my salvation (Psalm 116:14). Who then falters when pushed, except for those who endeavor to be their own strength and praise? No one fails in battle unless their strength and commendation wane. Thus, one whose strength and song is the Lord cannot fall, for the Lord does not stumble. And for this reason, He is their salvation; not because He has changed in some way, but because those who believe in Him become transformed, finding in Him salvation when they turn towards Him—something He wasn’t for them before they looked away.

There is a voice of joy and deliverance in the homes of the righteous (Psalm 117:15), where those who tormented their bodies thought there was only sorrow and devastation. They did not perceive the inward joy of the saints rooted in their future hope. This is why the apostle states, "I grieve, yet I rejoice always" (2 Corinthians 6:10), and again, "We rejoice in our sufferings" (Romans 5:3).

The right hand of the Lord performs great deeds (Psalm 117:16). What are these mighty works, you ask? They include elevating the lowly, divinizing the mortal, transforming weakness into strength, oppression into glory, and suffering into victory—offering aid, lifting those in distress; this reveals the true salvation of God to those who suffer while rendering the salvation of the unrepentant ultimately ineffective. These are indeed marvelous actions: yet why should you be surprised? Listen as it is reiterated that the right hand of the Lord has accomplished great things.

I shall not die; I shall live and proclaim the works of the Lord (Psalm 117:17). Yet those spreading ruin and death believed they could extinguish the Church of Christ. Behold, He now exhorts us to reflect on the Lord's works. Everywhere, Christ shines through the glorious lives of the martyrs. Though defeated, He conquered His oppressors, enduring suffering patiently, and loving those who turned against Him.

Still, let us interrogate why the Body of Christ, the Holy Church, the chosen people, have endured such ignominy. The Lord, he declares, chastened and disciplined me, but He has not condemned me to death (Psalm 116:18). Let the arrogant wicked not presume that their authority endures; it only exists by divine allowance. Frequently, a father commands his sons’ discipline by the most despicable slaves; while providing an inheritance for the former, he restrains the latter. What is this legacy? Is it gold, silver, jewels, land, or fine estates? Observe how we inherit it and learn its true nature.

"Open to me," he declares, "the gates of righteousness" (Psalm 117:19). Behold, we become aware of a gate. What lies beyond? "That I may enter in and give thanks to the Lord." Here lies a confession of praise full of awe, among those who resound with joy and share in thanksgiving—that is the eternal blessedness of the righteous, blessing those who dwell in the Lord’s house, who worship Him forever.

Consider now how they enter through these gates. "The gate of the Lord," the righteous declare, "will receive him" (Psalm 116:20). Surely no wicked soul shall enter that Jerusalem which admits no uncircumcised persons, where it is written, "Outside are the dogs" (Revelation 22:15). I acknowledge that during my extensive wanderings among the tents of Kedar, I endured the company of the wicked to the very end; yet this is the gate of the Lord: the righteous will make their entrance.

"I give thanks to You, O Lord, for You have answered me and have become my salvation" (Psalm 116:21). How often has the testimony of one who does not reveal his wounds to the healer but instead offers gratitude for the health he has received become commendable? The Physician Himself is Salvation.

Yet who is the focus of our discourse? It is the stone rejected by the builders (Psalm 116:22), who became the chief cornerstone, uniting both groups into one new creation and establishing peace; reconciling both to God through one body (Ephesians 2:15-16), that of circumcision and uncircumcision.

The Lord made it manifest (Psalms 117:23): that is, He appointed Him the cornerstone. Even though He could not have become so without enduring suffering, it was not through those who afflicted Him that He acquired this honor. For the builders rejected Him, yet in the divine edifice that the Lord secretively raised, He was honored as the cornerstone they dismissed. This is marvelous in our sight: in the perception of the inner man, of believers, of those who hold hope and love; not in the worldly perspective of those who, viewing Him merely as human, cast Him aside.

"This is the day the Lord has made" (Psalm 117:24). The speaker recalls what was asserted in the earlier psalms: "Since He has inclined His ear to me, I will call upon Him as long as I live," reflecting upon past trials; thus, he now proclaims: "This is the day the Lord has made," signifying the day of salvation He has granted me. It is the day of which it was said, "In a time of favor I have listened to you, on the day of salvation I have helped you" (Isaiah 49:8)—the day when He, as Mediator, became the cornerstone. Therefore, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

"Save me, O Lord; prosper me in my way, O Lord" (Psalm 116:25). As this is the day of salvation, rescue me; for we, returning from a lengthy journey, are distanced from those who despised the worldly matters, with whom we once coexisted, and who declared hostility against us without just cause. May You guide our way as we return, for You have become our Way.

God is inherently good, loving, and eager to act for the benefit of others, possessing the ultimate authority that remains unchanged. In contrast, humanity is inherently flawed, with minds inclined toward wickedness; often, they do not desire to do what is right, and even when they do, they may lack the ability to defend the wronged. Those in positions of power wield authority that is fleeting, as human sovereignty is ephemeral and lasts only a brief moment. Consequently, it is wiser to rely on divine assistance rather than human aid.

It is wise to place one's trust in the Lord rather than in human beings. It is preferable to rely on the Lord rather than on earthly rulers. Blessed is the one who places their faith in the Lord, while Jeremiah warns that those who trust in man are cursed (Jeremiah 17:6); similarly, the sage Sirach reminds us to reflect on earlier generations to see that those who relied on the Lord were never brought to disgrace (Sirach 2:10). However, if someone becomes disheartened by unmet expectations, they have not truly hoped in God as they ought. Thus, Paul affirms, hope does not lead to disappointment (Rom. 5:4).

Individuals often seek favor from rulers, nobility, and influential leaders. As a Christian, your aspiration is to gain the goodwill of God, the Sovereign, the Almighty. “Put not your hope in princes, in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation” (Psalm 145:3). “But ye as men die and fall like any of the princes” (Psalm 81:7). “Thy mercy, O Lord, is everlasting: the work of Thy hands shall not be despised” (Psalm 137:8). “Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have trusted in Thee” (Psalm 32:22). “It is better to hope in the Lord than to hope in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in princes” (Psalm 117:8-9).

From the preceding discussion, a valuable encouragement emerges, urging us to place our trust in God rather than in human beings, regardless of their apparent strength. God is both capable and willing to assist all who have faith in Him, whereas humans frequently lack the ability or, swayed by various desires, hold back their support. This is illustrated in the experiences of David, who found himself misled when relying on his companions, yet consistently prevailed when he depended on God. Therefore, he encourages everyone by proclaiming: It is good to hope in the Lord instead of placing hope in mortals or nobles.

This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and overflowing with joy and gratitude, expresses the boundless and incomprehensible mercy of God, who is the God of mankind. It offers heartfelt praise and thanksgiving on the day of His magnificent victory, when the people of Israel were united under the singular authority of King David. This unity signified the coming together of all tribes and tongues into the one kingdom of Christ the Lord, the King of eternal glory, on the magnificent occasion of His solemn Resurrection. Let us also give thanks to Christ, the Redeemer of humanity, whose mercy endures forever for those who repent, for His compassion is everlasting and unchangeable.