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Commentary by Clyde M. Miller
Questions by John C. Sewell
A Processional Psalm of Thanksgiving Psalm 118:1-29
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Commentary by Clyde M. Miller
Questions by John C. Sewell
A Processional Psalm of Thanksgiving Commentary by Clyde M. Miller Text: Psalm 118:1-29 1. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: his love endures forever. 2. Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 3. Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." 4. Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever." 5. In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. 6. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 7. The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. 8. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. 11. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. 12. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off. 13. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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14. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 16. The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!" 17. I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. 18. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. 20. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. 21. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 22. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 23. The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25. O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. 26. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. 27. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28. You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. NIV Introduction: I. Interpreters generally recognize the antiphonal feature of this psalm, but there is not full agreement on the specific persons who speak at different points in the recitation of the psalm. Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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A. We will attempt to point out what we consider the most likely form of the litany, but the reader should take this as nothing more than a studied opinion. 1. The message of the psalm is much more important than the form in which it was cast. II. There is also difference of opinion as to whether the psalm is to be considered as originally an individual psalm of thanksgiving which was incorporated into public sentiments of thanksgiving, or whether it was originally a community psalm, the pronoun "I" standing collectively for Israel. A. Psalm 118:5-14; 19, 21 and 28 seems to portray a great deliverance that has come to a king, possibly David himself. 1. Psalm 118:5-14, 19, 21 and 28, In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. I will give Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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5 Questions by John C. Sewell
you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. NIV
2. There are similar sentiments in Psalm 18. a. Psalm 18:1-50, I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him─the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescused me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; hr rescued me because he delighted in me. The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God. All his laws are before me. I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but the crooked you show yourself shrewd, You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broadened the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. They cried for help, but there was no one to save them─to the Lord, but he did not answer. I beat them as fine as dust borne on the wind; I poured them out like mud in the streets. You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me. As soon as they hear me, they obey me, foreigners cringe before me. They all lose heart; they come trembling from their stronghold. The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Lord; I will sing praises to your name. He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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Commentary by Clyde M. Miller
Questions by John C. Sewell
anointed, to David and his descendant forever. NIV B. The king, or someone else, may have employed this individual thanksgiving in a composition intended for community use at a joyous festival (Psalm 118:22-27), or the king may have made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem with the grateful throng after victory was won. 1. Psalm 118:22-27, The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. NIV 2. This interpretation helps explain the messianic use made of the psalm in the New Testament. a. A Davidic king more readily stands as a type of Christ than does the nation Israel. C. At any rate, as the psalm came to be used, it celebrates victory granted to Israel and to the church through the Messiah. Call to Thanksgiving Psalm 118:1-4, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say; "His love Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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9 Questions by John C. Sewell
endures forever." Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever." NIV Psalm 118:1, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. NIV I. Psalm 118:1 is identical with 106:1, 107:1 and 136:1. They are similar to Psalm 136:26. A. Psalm 106:1, Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. NIV B. Psalm 107:1, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. NIV C. Psalm 136:1, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. NIV D. Psalm 136:26, Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. NIV II. The first verse of Psalm 118 is identical to the final verse. A. The second part of the first verse is repeated in Psalm 118:2b, 3b, and 4b. 1. Psalm 118:2-4, Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever." NIV
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10 Questions by John C. Sewell
B. This repetition lays stress on the enduring quality of God's covenant love, chesedh, toward Israel. III. The word "good" is embracive of all God's marvelous qualities.
A. His "love", as well as His goodness, "endures forever". B. What a wonderful thing to know about our God! Psalm 118:2-4, Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever." NIV I. The same groups are mentioned here as in 115:9-13. See the notes there. Chastening, then Deliverance Psalm 118:5-18, In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord's right hand is lifted Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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11 Questions by John C. Sewell
high: the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!" I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. NIV Psalm 118:5-9, In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. NIV Note: This paragraph is a summary conclusion derived from the experience of distress and subsequent deliverance. Psalm 118:5, In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. NIV I. "Setting me free" is more literally "with enlargement" (cf. the KJV, NASB). A. This may reflect deliverance from death, since Sheol was thought of as being like one in straits (literal Hebrew of 116:3 for "pangs"). 1. Psalm 116:3, The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me: I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. NIV 2. Deliverance from "anguish" (same Hebrew word as in 116:3) may be thought of as God's setting one in a broad place (cf. Job 36:16; Psalm 18:19, 36; 31:8, and Hosea 4:16), or giving him room (Genesis 26:22 and Psalm 4:1).
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12 Questions by John C. Sewell
a. Job 36:16, "He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." NIV b. Psalm 18:19 and 36, He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. NIV c. Psalm 31:8, You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. NIV d. Hosea 4:16, The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs in a meadow? NIV e. Genesis 26:22, He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land." NIV f. Psalm 4:6, Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. NIV 3. The paraphrase "setting me free" changes the metaphor but preserves the essential thought. Psalm 118:6, The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? NIV Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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13 Questions by John C. Sewell
I. Perfect love casts our fear (1 John 4:18) and trust gives substance to one's faith (Hebrews 11:1). A. 1 John 4:18, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. KJV B. Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. KJV II. Men cannot conquer the man of faith (Hebrews 13:6 and 1 John 5:4). A. Hebrews 13:6, So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. KJV B. 1 John 5:4, For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. KJV Psalm 118:7, The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. NIV I. This statement is not an expression of personal vengeance, but an elaboration upon his declaration of faith (Psalm 118:6). A. Psalm 118:6, The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? NIV Psalm 118:8-9, It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. NIV Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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14 Questions by John C. Sewell
I. The comparative parallelism employed in each of these verses emphasizes the relatively superior value of putting one's confidence in God rather than in man. A. Only one word is changed in the repetition employed in Psalm 118:9 and Psalm 118:8. "Man" is replaced with "princes" in Psalm 118:9. 1. Psalm 118:8-9, It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. NIV B. The latter narrows down the view from mankind in general to powerful princes. 1. None can be completely trusted to always grant the help that is needed. 2. David certainly knew from experience that a king's own sons may not always do the right thing (2 Samuel 13:1-39, 2 Samuel 15:1-37 and 1 Kings 1:1-53). a. 2 Samuel 13:1-39, In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. Amnon became frustrated to the point of illness on account of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her. Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. He asked Amnon, "Why do you, the king's son, Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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15 Questions by John C. Sewell
look so haggard morning after morning? Won't you tell me?" Amnon said to him, "I'm in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister." "Go to bed and pretend to be ill," Jonadab said, "When your father comes to see you, say to him, 'I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.' " So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, "I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand." David sent word to Tamar at the palace: "Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him." So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat. "Send everyone out of her, "Amnon said. So everyone left him. Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand." And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, "Come to bed with me, my sister." "Don't, my brother!" she said to him. "Don't force me. Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don't do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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16 Questions by John C. Sewell
like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you." But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her. Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, "Get up and get out!" "No!" she said to him. "Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me." But he refused to listen to her. He called his personal servant and said, "Get this woman out of here and bolt the door after her." So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. She was wearing a richly ornamented robe, for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore. Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went. Her brother Absalom said to her, "Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet now, my sister; he is your brother. Don't take this thing to heart." And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate woman. When King David heard all this, he was furious. Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar. Two years later, when Absalom's sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king's sons to come there. Absalom went to the king and said, "Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his officials please join
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17 Questions by John C. Sewell
me?" "No, my son," the king replied. "All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you." Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go, but gave him his blessing. Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us." The king asked him, "Why should he go with you?" But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king's sons. Absalom ordered his men, "Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, 'Strike Amnon down,' then kill him. Don't be afraid. Have not I given you this order? Be strong and brave." So Absalom's men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king's sons got up, mounted their mules and fled. While they were on their way, the report came to David: "Absalom has struck down all the king's sons; not one of them is left." The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, "My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom's expressed intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar. My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king's sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead." Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, "I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill." Jonadab Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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18 Questions by John C. Sewell
said to the king, "See, the king's sons are here; it has happened just as your servant said." As he finished speaking, the king's sons came in, wailing loudly. The king, too, and all his servants wept very bitterly. Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned for his son every day. After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years. And the spirit of the king longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon's death. NIV b. 2 Samuel 15:1-37, In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, "What town are you from" He would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel." Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you." And Absalom would add, "If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice." Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way toward all
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the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, "Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the Lord. While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron." The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he went to Hebron. Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron.' " Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, to come from Giloh, his home town. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absolom's following kept on increasing. A messenger came and told David, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom." Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem. "Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword." The king's officials answered him, "Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses." The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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20 Questions by John C. Sewell
the palace. So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at a place some distance away. All his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites; and all the six hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king. The king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your countrymen. May kindness and faithfulness be with you." But Ittai replied to the king, "As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be." David said to Ittai, "Go ahead, march on." So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him. The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the desert. Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city. The the king said to Zadok, "Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord's eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, 'I Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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21 Questions by John C. Sewell
am not pleased with you,' then I am ready, let him do to me whatever seems good to him." The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Aren't you a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan son of Abiathar. You and Abiathar take your two sons with you. I will wait at the fords in the desert until word comes from you to inform me." So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there. But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. Now David had been told, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David prayed, "O Lord, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness." When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head, David said to him, "If you go with me, you will be a burden to me. But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king; I was your father's servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,' then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel's advice. Won't the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king's palace. Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear." So
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22 Questions by John C. Sewell
David's friend Hushai arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city. c. 1 Kings 1:1-53, When King David was old and well advanced in years, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. So his servants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin to attend the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm." Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no intimate relations with her. Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, "I will be king." So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. (His father had never interfered with him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?" He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.) Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimel and Rei and David's special guard did not join Adonijah. Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheieth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah who were royal officials, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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23 Questions by John C. Sewell
special guard or his brother Solomon. Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, "Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king without our lord David's knowing it? Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. Go in to King David and say to him, 'My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: "Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne"? Why then has Adonijah become king?' While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and confirm what you have said." So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him. Bathsheba bowed low and knelt before the king. "What is it you want?" the king asked. She said to him, "My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: 'Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne. But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it. He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals." While she was still speaking with Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. And they told the king, "Nathan the prophet is here." So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground. Nathan said, "Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king's sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!' But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite. Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?" Then King David said, "Call in Bathsheba." So she came into the king's presence and stood before him. The king then took an oath: "As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out today what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place." Then Bathsheba bowed low with her face to the ground and, kneeling before the king, said, "May my lord King David live forever!" King David said, "Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." When they came before the king, he said to them: "Take your lord's servants with you and set Solomon my Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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son on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon! ' Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah." Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, so declare it. As the Lord was with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon to make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King David!" So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and put Solomon on King David's mule and escorted him to Gihon. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" And all the people went up after him, playing flutes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound. Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they were finishing their feast. On hearing the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked, "What's the meaning of all the noise in the city?" Even as he was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, "Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news?" Not at all!" Jonathan answered. "Our lord King David has made Solomon king. The king has sent with him Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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26 Questions by John C. Sewell
Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they have put him on the king's mule, and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering and the city resounds with it. That's the noise you hear. Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours and his throne greater than yours!' And the king bowed in worship on his bed, and said, 'Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.'" At this, all Adonijah's guests rose in alarm and dispersed. But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. Then Solomon was told, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, 'Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'" Solomon replied, "If he shows himself to be a worthy man, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die." Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, "Go to your home." NIV Psalm 118:10-14, All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They surrounded me on Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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27 Questions by John C. Sewell
every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. NIV I. Here the psalmist enumerates threats made against him by surrounding nations. A. If the personal pronoun, "I" in this paragraph and following, is a collective noun referring to Israel, the psalmist is reflecting upon some time or times when Israel as a nation was being threatened. B. If this is a personal reflection on the part of a king, then since the fortunes of the king and the people are intertwined, the result would be the same. 1. Psalm 18:16-19; 24-45 is instructive at this point. a. Psalm 18:16-19; 24-25 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless. NIV Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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28 Questions by John C. Sewell
C. The dangers were overcome, "in the name of the Lord", 10b, 11b, that is, with dependence on god's will and strength. 1. Psalm 118:10-11, All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. NIV Psalm 118:10-11, All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. NIV I. When the king fights in the cause of truth (Psalm 45:4, God will grant him victory. A. Psalm 45:4, In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. NIV II. Repetition enforces the two central thoughts of Psalm 118:1012. A. Psalm 118:10-12, All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off. NIV 1. "Surrounded" is repeated to emphasize the distress in which he found himself (Psalm 118:5 and notes).
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a. Psalm 118:5, In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. NIV 2. "In the name of the Lord I cut them off" is repeated to stress God's action in granting him victory. Psalm 118:12, They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off. NIV I. The stair-like parallelism extends the first part of each of Psalm 118:10-12 so that the phrases, "on every side" and "like bees", intensify the picture of distress. II. "Burning" is "quenched" in Hebrew (the KJV, NASB), and can be explained in context, for thorns burn themselves out almost as quickly as they blaze up. Psalm 118:13, I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. NIV I. The Hebrew reads, "You pushed me hard" (the KJV, NASB), in which case the enemy is being addressed directly. Psalm 118:14, the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. NIV I. This verse is borrowed from the victory song of Moses (Exodus 15:2) which shows how the exodus motif permeated Israel's thinking (Isaiah 12:2). A. Exodus 15:2, The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God,
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and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. NIV B. Isaiah 12:2, Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." NIV Song of Victory Psalm 118:15-18, Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord's right hand has done mighty things! The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!" I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. NIV Psalm 118:15, Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord's right hand has done mighty things!" NIV I. This verse and the following also reflect the exodus motif (Exodus 15:6). A. "Victory" is "salvation" (the KJV, NASB) in the form of "deliverance". 1. Salvation in time of battle comes in the form of victory. 2. The word "tents" could refer to the temporary camp of the army, or to the temporary tents, or booths, in which Israel dwelt in the wilderness following the exodus from Egypt. Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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31 Questions by John C. Sewell
Psalm 118:16, The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things! NIV I. The right hand of God is His mighty strength (see the notes on Psalm 110:1 and 5). A. Psalm 110:1 and 5, The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. NIV Psalm 118:17-18, I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. NIV I. Deliverance from death (Psalm 118:18) gives confidence that god will not allow him to suffer a premature death (Psalm 118:17; and Psalm 16:9-10). A. Psalm 118:18, The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. NIV B. Psalm 118:17, I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. NIV C. Psalm 16:9-10, Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. NIV
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32 Questions by John C. Sewell
Procession to the Temple Psalm 118:19-27, Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. NIV Psalm 118:19, Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. NIV I. The victorious king, the nation Israel, or the temple choir addresses the gatekeeper as they approach the outer court of the temple. II. "Gates of righteousness" may refer to the righteousness of the Lord whose presence is known at the temple (Jeremiah 31:23) to the righteousness imputed by the Lord to His believing covenant people, or to the ethical righteousness required of those who would worship the Lord acceptably (Amos 5:21-24). A. Jeremiah 31:23, This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "When I bring them back from captivity, the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: 'The
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Lord bless you, O righteous dwelling, O sacred mountain.' NIV B. Amos, 5:21-24, "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" NIV Psalm 118:20, This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. NIV I. The gatekeeper replies. A. "The gate of the Lord" may be synonymous with "the gates of righteousness" (Psalm 118:19a) that may be explained by Psalm 118:19b to refer to ethical righteousness. II. Only those who live in harmony with the ways of God can worship Him acceptably. Psalm 118:21, I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. NIV I. Praise and prayer mingle in Psalm 118:21-25. A. Psalm 118:21-25, I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. NIV II. Here the theme of the psalm is restated (Psalm 118:1-4). A. Psalm 118:1-4, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures forever." NIV Psalm 118:22-23, The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. NIV I. "The stone" is either the king or Israel. A. The capstone is the stone in the foundation or is the arch that holds the whole structure together. II. The nations (Psalm 118:10a) sometimes derided Israel because of her apparent insignificance (Psalm 2:1-3), but God honored and protected her. A. Psalm 118:10, All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. NIV B. Psalm 2:1-3, Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." NIV Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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35 Questions by John C. Sewell
III. Christ is the antitype of this capstone in two respects. A. He was rejected by many as insignificant (Mark 12:1011; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7), and yet he is the cornerstone that holds everything together (Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Colossians 1:15-20). 1. Mark 12:10-11, And have ye not read this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner; This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" KJV 2. Acts 4:11, This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. KJV 3. 1 Peter 2:7, Unto you therefore which believe he is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. KJV 4. Ephesians 2:20-22, And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; KJV 5. 1 Corinthians 3:11, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. KJV 6. Colossians 1:15-20, Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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36 Questions by John C. Sewell
powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. KJV B. The Lord has done a marvelous thing. Psalm 118:24, This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. NIV. I. The "day" apparently refers to the festival rather than the day of victory. Psalm 118:25, O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. NIV I. "Save us" is more literally "save, please". A. This is the expression translated "Hosanna" in connection with Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9 and parallels). 1. Matthew 21:9, And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. KJV Psalm 118:26-27, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. NIV Psalm 118:26, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. NIV I. Apparently, this refers to the priestly benediction pronounced upon those who enter the temple courts to worship. A. In the New Testament, it is applied to Christ (see Psalm 118:25). 1. Psalm 118:25, O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. NIV Psalm 118:27, The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. NIV I. "Light" here stands for deliverance (Psalm 43:3; Ester 8:16). A. Psalm 43:3, Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. NIV B. Esther 8:16, For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. NIV II. "Festal procession" translates a single Hebrew word that refers to a festival.
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A. Some think that in this passage it refers to the sacrifice of the festival (the KJV, NASB), while others believe it refers to the procession of worshipers around the altar (the NEB). B. This verse apparently alludes to the lulab or "tree branches" that were brought in celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40). 1. Leviticus 23:40, On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. NIV Summary Conclusion Psalm 118:28-29, You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. NIV Psalm 118:29, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. NIV I. The opening verse is here repeated for emphasis. Application: I. Worship can be a festival of joy. A. We should sing praises to God with cheerful hearts as we make music in our hearts to God. B. Spirited songs, and even solemn hymns can rejoice the heart because of our assurance that God is pleased with our devotions. Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
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Questions Psalm 118:1-29 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. "______________ ________________ to the ______________, for he is ________________; his _____________ _____________ ____________________." 2. "Let ______________ say:, 'His ___________ _____________ ____________________.' Let the _______________________ of __________________ say: 'His _____________ ______________ ______________________.' Let those who __________________ the _______________ say: 'His _____________ ______________ _________________________.' " 3. "In my ____________________ I __________________ to the _______________, and he __________________ by ___________ me _________________. The _______________ is with _______; I _____________ ___________ be ________________. What can ____________ __________ to ____________? The ___________ is with ______________; he is my ___________________. I will look in ___________________ on my _____________________." 4. "It is __________________ to take _________________ in the ___________________ than to ______________ in ___________. It is ____________________ to take ___________________ in the ______________than to ________________ in ______________. All the ______________ ________________________ me, but in the _________________ of the ________________ I cut them off.
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40 Questions by John C. Sewell
They ___________________ me on every _______________, but in the _________________ of the _________________ I cut them off. They ____________________ around me like ___________, but they ___________ _________ as quickly as ______________ ___________________; in the ___________ of the ___________ _________ _________ ____________ ______________." 5. "I was ______________ ______________ and about to ______, but the _______________ _______________ ____________. The ______________ is my ________________ and my ___________; he has become my ________________________." 6. "_________________ of __________ and _________________ _________________ in the _________ of the ________________: The ___________'s _______________ ______________ has done _________________ _______________! The _______________'s ______________ ______________ is ____________ __________; the ______________'s _____________ ______________ has done ________________ __________________." 7. "I will not _________ but __________, and will ____________ what the ________________ has done. The ______________ has _________________ me ________________, but he has not given me over to __________________." 8. "Open for me the _____________ of ____________________; I will __________________ and give __________________ to the _______________. This is the _____________ of the __________ through which the __________________ may ______________. I will give you _____________, for you ___________________ me; you have become my _____________________. 9. "The _____________ the _________________ _____________
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41 Questions by John C. Sewell
has become the _______________________; the ______________ has __________ __________, and it is ______________________ in our _______________. This is the _________ the ___________ has made; let us __________________ and be ________________ in ____________." 10. "O_________________, _______________ ____________; O ______________, ________________ us ___________________. _______________________ is he who _________________ in the ______________________ of the _________________. From the ________________ of the _______________we ______________ you. The ______________ is ____________, and he has made his ____________ ______________ upon us. With ______________ in ___________, join in the ____________ __________________ up to the ____________ of the ________________." 11. "You are my __________, and I will give you ____________; you are my ______________ and I will _________________ you." 12. "_____________ ________________ to the ______________, for he is ____________________; his _______________________ ____________________ ________________________." 13. List all the reasons given in Psalm 118 for giving thanks to God. _________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com Commentary by Clyde M. Miller
42 Questions by John C. Sewell
14. Define antiphonal features, litany, deliverance from anguish, motif, gates of righteousness and deliverance from death as applied to Psalm 118. __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 15. What is the message of Psalm 118? _____________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 16. Psalm 118 has come to be recognized of the ______________ of ____________________ granted to ______________________ and to the ________________ through ___________________ the _______________________. 17. Compare Psalm 106:1, 107:1, 136:1 and 136:26____________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 18. What adjectives are used in Psalm 118 to describe God? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com Commentary by Clyde M. Miller
43 Questions by John C. Sewell
19. Give examples of princes not always doing the right things. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 20. When the ___________________ _________________ in the __________________ of ___________________, _____________ will ____________________ him _________________________. 21. What words/phrases indicate the extent, severity of the psalmist's distress? What phrase describes the greatness of his deliverance?___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 22. How are Psalm 118:14, Exodus 15:2 and Isaiah 12:2 comparable?___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 23. To what does the word tents refer to in Psalm 118:15? ______ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com Commentary by Clyde M. Miller
44 Questions by John C. Sewell
24. What is the meaning of victory in Psalm 118:15? __________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 25. Only those who _________________ in _________________ with the ___________________ of ______________________ can _________________ ___________________ ________________. 26. What is the stone in Psalm 118:22? Give an Old Testament and New Testament application, meaning.____________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 27. Are you grateful for every day the Lord has given you? Do you rejoice and are you glad in each day? ____________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ 28. What particular day did the psalmist have in view in Psalm 118:24? _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com Commentary by Clyde M. Miller
45 Questions by John C. Sewell
29. Where and under what circumstances do we find the expression "save us" in the New Testament? _________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 30. How was the expression in Psalm 118:26 sometimes used? __ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 31. What is success in your view? _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 32. Light stands for ____________________________. To what does festal procession refer? ______________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 33. Explain how worship can be a festival of joy? _____________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
http://www.BibleStudyWorkshop.com Commentary by Clyde M. Miller
46 Questions by John C. Sewell
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 34. Who wrote Psalm 118? In relation to what situation was this psalm written? _________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 35. What have you learned from your study of Psalm 118 that impact your daily life? ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Landmark Publications, Inc. , 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.
