1. Summons to Israel to Acknowledge Chesed (vss.1-4)
2. Israel's Confidence in the Tribulation (vss.5-9)
3. Israel's Confidence at the 2nd Advent (vss.10-14)
4. Israel Prevails Under Divine Discipline (vss.15-18)
5. Israel's Vow to Render Thanks in the Kingdom (vss.19-21)
6. Israel Welcomes Her Victor (vss.22-29)

1. The final of the Hallel Psalms (Pss.113-117), was sung in connection with Passover, and was the hymn sung by Christ and His disciples before He retired to Gethsemane (Mt.26:30; Mk.14:26).
2. This psalm is prophetic/messianic dealing with Israel's deliverance at the 2nd Advent.
3. The psalm projects a large throng coming to the Temple to offer thanks for deliverance out of the Great Tribulation.
4. Towards its conclusion a single individual is the center of attention as He makes His way to the Temple.
5. Whereas Ps.116 celebrates a purely private deliverance, this psalm encompasses a victory celebration that is worthy of a king and his grateful subjects.
6. The psalm ends with the entire procession arriving at the bronze altar (vs.27).
7. Our Lord applied this psalm to himself as every student of the Gospels is aware (Mt.21:42 cp. vs.22 and Mt.23:39 cp. vs.26).
8. Whenever this psalm was written, whether in connection with the completion and dedication of the second temple (Neh.8:13-19), or some other occasion, it seems to have been sung in a triumphal procession culminating in sacrifice in the house of the Lord.

VERSE 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good ( WdAh [Hiphil.imper.2.m.p. , throw, cast, shoot; to give thanks, confess] hw"hyl; [conj.w/pr.n.] bAj-yKi [prep. + adj.m.s., good]);

For His lovingkindness is everlasting ( yKi [prep.] ADs.x; [n.m.s.w/3.m.s.sf., ds,x, chesed] ~l'A[l. [prep.w/n.m.s.]).

VERSE 2 Oh let Israel say ( laer'f.yI [pr.n.] an"-rm;ayO [Qal.imperf.3.m.s. rma , say + part. of entreaty, "Oh"]),

"His lovingkindness is everlasting ( ADs.x; [n.m.s.w/3.m.s.sf.] yKi [conj.] ~l'A[l. [prep.w/ n.m.s.])."

VERSE 3 Oh let the house of Aaron say ( an"-Wrm.ayO [Qal.imperf.3.m.p., amar + part.] !roh]a;-tybe [n.m.s.cstr. + pr.n.]),

"His lovingkindness is everlasting ( yKi [conj.] ADs.x; [n.m.s.w/3.m.s.sf.] ~l'A[l. [prep.w/ n.m.s.])."

VERSE 4 Oh let those who fear the LORD say ( an"-Wrm.ayO [Qal.impf.3.m.p., amar + part.] yaer>yI [Qal.act.pt.m.p. ary , yare, fear]),

"His lovingkindness is everlasting ( yKi [conj.] ADs.x; [n.m.s.w/3.m.s.sf.] ~l'A[l. [prep.w/ n.m.s.])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-4

1. The psalm opens with a general call to all who know and love the truth to Give thanks to Yahweh.
2. For He is good specifies the reason.
3. His goodness is seen in His keeping covenant promises to Israel.
4. The context is the Kingdom Age, when all Israel and the believing nations are present and accounted for in the Age of Christ (Millennium).
5. For He is good, For His loyalty/devotion is everlasting is the basis for the call to render thanks.
6. The divine characteristic called chesed is a part of the overall quality we call the goodness of God.
7. Chesed (255X) is a noun which is of the same root as the Hebrew word for stork.
8. Storks are noted for their exceptional devotion to their young.
9. Chesed is at the foundation of God's covenant relationship to Israel as seen in Ex.34:6,7.
10. In the Millennial Age it will be transparently clear that God has upheld all His promises to Israel when she is safe and prosperous, one nation from many generations under her Messiah, Jesus Christ.
11. The Abrahamic, Davidic, Mosaic, and New Covenants will all be fulfilled with no promise or detail of prophecy left unfulfilled.
12. At that time the whole house of Israel, beginning with the first Jew, Abraham, is to declare the eternal chesed of the Lord (vs.2).
13. The Aaronic priesthood established in the days of Moses, and which will be functional in the millennial Temple, is to affirm the wonderful fact that His loyalty/devotion is everlasting (vs.3).
14. Furthermore, all God-fearers of the Age are to affirm it (vs.4).
15. In Jer.33:11 there is a prophecy declaring that Israel will indeed celebrate their restored fortunes and declare the goodness and chesed of their God.
16. The same three groups specified in these verses are mentioned in Ps.115:9-11.

VERSE 5 From my distress I called upon the LORD ( rc;Meh;-!mi [prep., from, + n.m.s.rc;me , metsar, distress; 3X: Ps.116:3; 118:5; Lam.1:3] ytiar'q' [Qal.pf.1.c.s., qara, call] HY" [pr.n.]);

The LORD answered me and set me in a large place ( Hy" [pr.n.] ynIn"['[Qal.pf.3.m.s.w/1.c.s.sf. hn[ anah, answer] bx'r>M,b; [prep.w/n.m.s. bx'r,m, merechabh, broad or spacious place; 6X: 2Sam.22:20; Ps.18:20; 31:9; 118:5; Hos.4:16; Hab.1:6]).

VERSE 6 The LORD is for me; I will not fear ( hw"hy> [pr.n.] yli [prep.w/1.c.s.sf.] al{ [neg.] ar'yai [Qal.impf.1.c.s., yare, fear]);

What can man do to me ( hf,[]Y:-hm; [interrog.part. + Qal.impf.3.m.s., ashah, do] ~d'a' [n.m.s.] yli [prep.w/1.c.s.sf.])?

VERSE 7 The LORD is for me among those who help me ( hw"hy> [pr.n.] yli[prep.w/1.c.s.sf.] yr'z>[oB. [prep.w/Qal.act.pt.m.p.w/1.c.s.sf. rz[ azar, help, assist]);

Therefore I shall look with satisfaction on those who hate me ( ynIa]w: [conj.w/1.pers.sf.] ha,r>a, [Qal.impf.1.c.s. har see, look] `ya'n>fob. [Qal.act.pt.m.p.w/1.c.s.sf. anf shane, hate]).

VERSE 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD ( rc;me [adj.m.s.] tAsx]l; [prep.w/ Qal.infin.cstr. hsx chasah, seek refuge] hw"hyB; [prep.w/pr.n.])

Than to trust in man ( x;joB.mi [Qal.infin.cstr. xjB batach, trust] `~d'a'B'[prep.w/n.m.s.]).

VERSE 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD ( bAj [adj.m.s.] tAsx]l; [prep.w/ Qal.infin.cstr. hsx chasah, take refuge] hw"hyB; [prep.w/pr.n.])

Than to trust in princes ( x;joB.mi [prep.w/Qal.infin.cstr. xjB batach, trust] `~ybiydIn>B i[prep.w/adj.m.p. bydIn" , nadhibh, noble; "princes"]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 5-9

1. The speaker in this section is Israel.
2. The historical context from which believing Israel called (prophetic perfect) upon Yah is the Tribulation.
3. This is the report of a future event, not a past event.
4. The words From my distress is a reference to the Tribulation (n.m.s. w/def.art., metsar, straits, distress).
5. The cognate noun tsarah occurs in Jer.30:7 (Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it.), and in Dan.12:1 ("Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued."; cp. Mt.24:21,22).
6. Yah answered me is another prophetic perfect that is in response to the petition of line 1.
7. The words and set me in a large place (cp. Ps.18:19) is fulfilled when redeemed Israel is with Christ in the Millennium.
8. The noun large place (merechabh) means roomy or spacious.
9. It refers specifically to greater eretz Israel, that is, the real estate promised under the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen.15:18; Ex.23:31; Deut.1:7,8).
10. Israel will from that time forward live in a land that will accommodate their burgeoning numbers, and will never lack for space due to pressure from the nations.
11. Positive Jews, in and out of that state of Israel, will exhibit great faith in the face of Satan's final anti-Semitic onslaught.
12. Their occupation with Christ will enable them to overcome the debilitating sin of fear (vs.6).
13. They will claim the newly learned promises, and avoid fear.
14. They make a volitional decision not to fear under the supreme test of faith in the prophesies.
15. They recognize that there is nothing that man can do to nullify what God has promised.
16. Even martyrdom cannot stand in the way of blessing in the Kingdom, as all Tribulational martyrs will be raised from the dead (Rev.20:4).
17. In the face of constant threats and death they are defiant, knowing that there is nothing man can do to negate Israel's standing before God.
18. During this period of worldwide anti-Semitism, Jews will find support among like-minded Gentiles.
19. One of the ways God will aid His people is through their Gentile counterparts who will display acts of charity toward harried Israel (vs.7a).
20. This fact was prophesied by Jesus in Mt.25:31-40.
21. God will use believing Gentiles to help believing Jews.
22. Their reward will be to start the new nations of the Millennial Age (Mt.25:34).
23. Verse 7 provides a good example of antithetical parallelism in Hebrew poetry.
24. Verse 7b refers to Israel's enemies throughout the nations.
25. True Israel shall look with satisfaction on those who hate her, when she sees all foes defeated and removed from the earth (cp. Ps.54:7; 59:10).
26. Verses 8 and 9 are a kind of maxim for every person (cp. 2Chron.32:7,8; Ps.40:4; 108:12; Isa.31:1,3; 57:13; Jer.17:5).
27. The temptation is especially strong for those who have access to the powerful (vs.9b).
28. Trust in God always has a superior benefit.
29. Trust in God is not subject to the fickleness of human nature.
30. Furthermore, God can do what even the most well intentioned and well endowed person may not be able to do, due to unforeseen circumstances.
31. God can, and does use people to deliver us (vs.7a), but He is not limited in His ability to render aid and protection.
32. As we saw in Psalm 107, God will use His exclusive fiat power to deliver Jews in peril during the Tribulation (four examples).

VERSE 10 All nations surrounded me ( ~yIAG-lK' [n.m.s.cstr. + n.m.p.yAG,, goi, nation] ynIWbb's. [Qal.pf.3.c.p.w/1.c.s.sf. bbs , sabhabh, surround]);

In the name of the LORD I will surely cut them off ( ~veB. [prep.w/n.m.s.cstr.] hw"hy> [pr.n.] yKi [conj.w/adv.] `~l;ymia] [Hiphil.impf.1.c.s.w/3.m.p.sf. lwm mul, to circumcise, cut off]).

VERSE 11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me ( ynIWBs; [Qal.pf.3.c.p. w/1.c.s.sf. bbs sabhabh, surround] ynIWbb's.-~g: [conj., "yes", + Qal.pf.3.c.p. w/1.c.s.sf., sabhabh]);

In the name of the LORD I will surely cut them off ( ~veB. [prep.w/n.m.s.cstr.] hw"hy> [pr.n.] yKi [conj.w/adv.] `~l;ymia] [Hiphil.impf.1.c.s.w/3.m.p.sf. lwm mul, cut off]).

VERSE 12 They surrounded me like bees ( ynIWBs; [Qal.pf.3.m.p.w/1.c.s.sf., bbs sabhabh, surround] ~yrIAbd>ki [prep.w/n.f.p. hr'AbD> , debhrah, bee]);

They were extinguished as a fire of thorns ( Wk[]Do [Pual.pf.3.c.p. %[D da-ach put out, extinguish] vaeK. [prep.w/n.f.s. vae , esh, fire] ~yciAq [n.m.p. #Aq , qots, thorn]);

In the name of the LORD I will surely cut them off ( ~veB. [prep.w/n.m.s.cstr. ~ve , shem, name] hw"hy> [pr.n.] yKi [conj.w/adv.] `~l;ymia] [Hiphil.impf.1.c.s.w/3.m.p.sf. lwm , mul, cut off]).

VERSE 13 You pushed me violently so that I was falling ( ynIt;yxid> hxoD; [Qal.infin.abs. + Qal.pf.2.m.s.w/1.c.s.sf. hxD , rachah, push, thrust; push violently] lPon>li [prep.w/Qal.infin.cstr. lpn , naphal, fall]),

But the LORD helped me ( hw"hyw: [conj.w/pr.n.] `ynIr'z"[] [Qal.pf.3.m.s.w/1.c.s.sf. rz[ , azar, help]).

VERSE 14 The LORD is my strength and song ( Hy" [pr.n.]yZI[' [n.m.s.w/1.c.s.sf. z[o , oz, strength] tr'm.zIw> [conj.w/n.f.s. hr'm.zI , zimerah, song]),

And He has become my salvation ( yli-yhiy>w: [conj.w/Qal.impf.3.m.s. + prep.w/1.c.s.sf.] `h['Wvyli [prep.w/n.f.s. h['Wvy> , yeshuah, salvation]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 10-14

1. These verses are readily identified with the final international assault upon the Jewish remnant at the very end of the Tribulation.
2. The final test of Israel's faith occurs when she is surrounded by her enemies in the final battle of Armageddon (cp. Rev.19:17-21).
3. Four times Israel mentions her dilemma of being surrounded by All nations (vss.10a, 11a (2X), 12a).
4. Satan will make a final effort to exterminate God's ancient people in a blood bath in Israel and Jerusalem (cf. Zech.12:2,3; 14:2; cp. Rev.16:12-14; 19:19).
5. Three times Israel prophetically declares that she will prevail against overwhelming odds (vss.10b, 11b, 12c).
6. The hordes that come against her, she will surely cut off in the name of Yahweh.
7. Her ancient warrior-king, in the Person of Jesus Christ, will come to her aid in the nick of time (Zech.14:3).
8. The vibrant faith of the Jewish remnant will fight valiantly against the invaders and faith-rest Christ's appearance in the heavens (Zech.12:5,6,8).
9. The numerical superiority of the enemy is likened to a swarm of bees (vs.12b; cp. Deut.1:44).
10. But these bees are no match for what the Lord has in store.
11. The threat will be extinguished as when fire burns worthless thorns (briar and brambles; vs.12b; cf. Zech.12:9).
12. Literal heat/fire will sweep through the enemy ranks in an unprecedented plague (Zech.14:12).
13. The Jewish forces will be blessed with battlefield success according to Zech.12:6,8.
14. The precarious situation Israel finds herself in is stressed in the prophetic observation of vs.13a.
15. The Jewish forces will feel the pressure of battle going against them (as in the Yom Kippur War in 1973).
16. She will pass this test, she will not panic as did the Jews at the Red Sea.
17. In vs.13a Israel prophetically and directly addresses the enemy.
18. The singular You is a collective singular referring to All nations that are represented at Armageddon.
19. Antichrist will be there with the military forces of NATO.
20. Two hundred million Chi Com will invade from the East (Rev.9:16; cp. 16:12-16).
21. Verse 13b supplies the simple, but dramatic, But Yahweh helped me.
22. The carnage is unbelievable as recorded in Rev.14:20.
23. Verse 14 is an exact quotation from the victory song at the Red Sea (Ex.15:2a; and vss.15 and 28 has echoes of it as well).
24. Prayerful trust in Yahweh's powerful name pays off handsomely.
25. The believing remnant acknowledges the Lord as their strength and song and salvation (vs.14).
26. Trust in the Lord and His word is the secret weapon that brings victory to the chosen people as of old.
27. Recourse to human allies was a poor second to trust in God.
28. Israel's reversion recovery from the depths of unbelief dramatically and forever changes her perspective.
29. She will find a new strength and a new song(s) to celebrate the salvation that only the Lord can supply.
30. In summary, the fourfold surrounded is menacing, and the similes of swarming bees, and crackling thorns bring out the closeness and fury of the warfare.

VERSE 15 The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous ( lAq [n.m.s., sound] hN"rI [n.f.s., rinnah, resounding cry {of celebration or of entreaty}] h['WvywI [conj.w/n.f.s., yeshu yleh\a'B. [prep.w/n.m.p.cstr. lh,ao , ohel, tent] ~yqiyDIc; [adj.m.p. qyDIc; tsadiq, righteous]);

The right hand of the LORD does valiantly ( !ymiy> [n.f.s.cstr !ymiy"., yemin, right hand] hw"hy> [pr.n.] hf'[o [Qal.act.pt.f.s., ashah] `lyIx' [n.m.s. lyIx; , chayil, strength {as adv.}]).

VERSE 16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted ( !ymiy> [n.f.s.cstr., right hand] hw"hy> [pr.n.] hm'meAr [Piel.pt.f.s. ~wr , to rise; to exalt]);

The right hand of the LORD does valiantly ( !ymiy> [n.f.s.cstr.] hw"hy> [pr.n.] hf'[ o[Qal.act.pt.f.s. hf[ , "does"] `lyIx' [n.m.s., chayil, strength, might]).

VERSE 17 I shall not die, but live ( al{ [neg.] tWma' [Qal.impf.1.c.s. twm ] hy<x.a,-yK i[conj., as adversative, + Qal.impf.1.c.s. hyx , chayah, live]),

And tell of the works of the LORD ( rPes;a]w: [conj.w/Piel.impf.1.c.s. rps , saphar, count; recount] yfe[]m; [n.m.p.cstr. hf,[]m; , mawork] `Hy" [pr.n.]).

VERSE 18 The LORD has disciplined me severely ( HY" [pr.n.]rSoy: [Piel.pf.3.m.s. rsy , yasar, to chasten, discipline, correct] yNIr;S.yI [Piel.infin.abs.w/1.c.s.sf., yasar; "severely"]),

But He has not given me over to death ( `ynIn"t'n> [Qal.pf.3.m.s.w/1.c.s.sf. !tn , nathan, give] tw<M'l;w> [conj.w/def.art.w/n.m.s. tw<m' , maweth, death] al [neg.]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 15-18

1. The scene shifts dramatically to the end of the hymn.
2. As after the victory at the Red Sea, so the survivors (the righteous) will celebrate wildly in their homes (tents).
3. Families and individuals will celebrate this victory in the tents (homes) of the righteous.
4. The devastation of their communities and land will not dampen their celebrations.
5. God's power will be celebrated as seen in the repeated references to the LORD'S right hand (vs.15b,16).
6. As God, Jesus Christ wields absolute omnipotence.
7. The anthropomorphism right hand signifies the power that is exclusively the Lord's.
8. All He has to do is speak and the enemy is annihilated on the field of battle (Rev.19:15,21).
9. Christ will appear in the heavens as King of kings, and Lord of lords, to deliver His people in jeopardy and to bring them safely into His eternal kingdom.
10. Not all Jews will be delivered as all will not be positive, but those who are positive will be delivered (cp. Zech.13:8,9).
11. Verse 17 reflects the attitude of the positive remnant who perseveres under extreme testing (cf. Dan.12:10; Zech.13:9).
12. I shall not die, but live, And tell of the works of the LORD, is not wishful thinking, but the faith response to the doctrine that is in their souls.
13. They will have a wonderful testimony to relate to their children during the age of prosperity to follow (cp. Ps.73:28; 107:22).
14. In vs.18 adjusted Israel reflects upon those events and realizes that the awful things that happened to them were, in fact, DD.
15. Those who survived the invasion and the siege of Jerusalem are Jews who turned to Christ after the nation entered into a covenant (treaty) with the Antichrist.
16. For entering into what Isaiah calls a "covenant with death" (Isa.28:15,18), God brings severe DD upon the nation.
17. Israel, having put her trust in the Antichrist to save her from her enemies, will not escape the thing she hoped to sidestep.
18. Russia and allies will invade shortly after Israel enters into this seven year pact (Ezek.38 and 39).
19. So dramatic will be the destruction of the Russian bear with her Islamic allies that many will turn to the Lord.
20. Then follows the invasion of the surviving nations to participate in the final battle ushering in the 2nd Advent.
21. Conversion (repentance) on the part of a remnant (one third) within Israel will preserve them from the SUD (vs.18b).
22. Those who do not get their act together will be subject to captivity and death (cp. Zech.14:2; unbelievers and negative believers).
23. Death is the ultimate discipline that God can impose upon the reversionistic saint (1Cor.5:5; 11:30-32; 1Jn.5:16), as it ends all chance of securing the crown.

VERSE 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness ( yli-Wxt.Pi [Qal.imper.2.m.s. xtP , pathach, open, + prep.w/1.c.s.sf.] qd,c,-yre[]v; [n.m.p.cstr. r[;v; , sha-ar, + n.m.s. qd,c,, tsedheq]);

I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD ( ~b'-aboa' [Qal.impf.1.c.s. awB , bo, enter, + prep.w/3.m.p.sf., "them"]hd,Aa [Hiphil.impf.1.c.s. hdy , yadhah, throw; give thanks] `Hy" [pr.n.]).

VERSE 20 This is the gate of the LORD ( r[;V;h;-hz< [demon.adj. hz<, zeh, + def.art.w/n.m.s. r[;v; , sha-ar] hw"hyl; [prep.w/pr.n.]);

The righteous will enter through it ( ~yqiyDIc; [adj.m.p.] Waboy" [Qal.impf.3.m.p. awB , bo, enter] `Ab [prep.w/3.m.s.sf.]).

VERSE 21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me ( ^d>Aa [Hiphil.impf.1.c.s.w/2.m.s.sf. hdy , yadhah, throw; thank] yKi [conj.] ynIt'ynI[] [Qal.pf.2.m.s.w/1.c.s.sf. hn[ , anah, answer]);

And You have become my salvation ( yli-yhiT. [conj.w/Qal.impf.2.m.s.w/1.c.s.sf. hyh , hayah, to be, + prep.w/1.c.s.sf.] `h['Wvyli [prep.w/n.f.s. h['Wvy> , yeshuah, salvation]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 19-21

1. This section concerns itself with a triumphal procession into the city of Jerusalem.
2. The setting is post-Armageddon, but more specifically, it will be after the city is rebuilt and cleansed.
3. After all, the city will be a shambles after the siege and the earthquakes (Rev.11:13; Zech.14:2-5).
4. At some point early in the dispensation the rebuilt city will be opened to the public.
5. Israel continues to be the speaker in this section.
6. Open to me the gates of righteousness (only time this expression occurs) is a request for admittance on the part of adjusted Israel to the duly authorized gatekeepers (vs.19a).
7. During the Millennium only righteous persons will be allowed access to the city of righteousness (cf. Isa.1:21,26; 26:2).
8. Once inside the people will give thanks to Yahweh (vs.19b).
9. Verse 20a is perhaps a reference to the particular gate that Christ will regularly enter through.
10. Again, the thought is repeated that only the righteous will be allowed access to the city (vs.20b).
11. In the place where the enemy had severely threatened the existence of the Jewish people, they and their descendants will give thanks for answered prayer (vs.21a).
12. Verse 21b repeats the thought of vs.14b.
13. Salvation is to be taken in its broadest sense covering all aspects of deliverance, Ph1 as well as physical deliverance from all enemies.

VERSE 22 The stone which the builders rejected ( !b,a, [n.f.s. ebhen, stone (large or small); metaphorical of Messiah] ~ynIABh; [def.art.w/Qal.pt m.p. hnB , banah, build] Wsa]m' [Qal.pf.3.c.p. sam ma-as reject]

Has become the chief cornerstone [ ht'y>h' [Qal.pf.3.f.s. hayah] varol. [prep w/n.m.s. rosh, head, chief] `hN"Pi [n.f.s. pinnah, corner].

VERSE 23 This is the LORD's doing [ taeme [prep + dir obj] hw"hy> [pr.n.] ht'y>h' [Qal.pf.3.f.s. hayah; "doing" or better "what the LORD has done"];

It is marvelous in our eyes [ taZO [demon.adj.f.s. "It" or "This"] ayhi [indef pro.f.s.] tal'p. [Niphil pf.3.f.s. alP , pala, to be extraordinary, marvelous] `WnynEy[eB. [prep.w/n.f.dualw/ 1.c.p.sf. !yI[; ayin, eye].

VERSE 24 This is the day which the LORD has made [ ~AYh;-hz< [adj.m.s. + def.art.w/ n.m.s. ~Ay yom, day] hw"hy> [pr.n.] hf'[' [Qal.pf.3.m.s. ashah; "made"];

Let us rejoice and be glad in it [ hl'ygIn" [Qal.impf.1.c.p. cohorative lyG gil, rejoice] hx'm.f.nIw> [conj.w/Qal.impf.1.c.p.cohort. xmf , shamach, be glad] `Ab [prep.w/3.m.s.sf.].

VERSE 25 O LORD, do save, we beseech You [ aN"a' [interjection Oh now] hw"hy>[pr.n.] h['yviAh [Hiphil.imper.paragogic heh [vy yasha, save] aN" [prep. please (used in entreaty or exhortation); "we beseech You"];

O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity [ aN"a' [interj. "O"] hw"hy> [pr.n.]`aN" [prep. of entreaty; "we beseech You"] hx'ylic.h; [Hiphil.imper. xlc tsalach, make prosperous (hiphil); to rush, hurry (Qal)].

VERSE 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD [%WrB' [Qal.pass pt m.s. %rB bless] aB'h; [Qal.pt m.s. awB bo, enter, come] ~veB. [prep.w/n.m.s.cstr.] hw"hy> [pr.n.];

We have blessed you from the house of the LORD [ ~k,Wnk.r;Be [Piel.pf.1.c.p.w/2.m.p.sf. %rB barach, bless] tyBemi [prep.w/n.m.s.cstr. bayith, house] `hw"hy> [pr.n.].

VERSE 27 The LORD is God, and He has given us light [ hw"hy> [pr.n.] lae [n.m.s. god] ra,Y"w: [conj.w/Hiphil.impf.3.m.s. rwa become light; give light] Wnl' [prep.w/1.c.p.sf.];

Bind the festival sacrifice with the cords to the horns of the altar [ gx;-Wrs.ai [Qal.imper.2.m.p. rsa asar, bind + n.m.s. gx; chagh, festival sacrifice; feast/festival; 62X; cf. Isa.29:1; cp. Ps.8 1:3 (only other occurrence in Psalms); here of Tabernacles/Booths] tAnr>q;-d[; [prep + n.f.p.cstr. !r,q, qeren, horn] `x;Bez>Mih; [def.art.w/n.m.s. x;Bez>mi mizebe-ach, altar].

VERSE 28 You are my God, and I give thanks to You [ hT'a; [pers.pro.2.m.s.] yliae [n.m.s.cstr.w/1.c.s.sf. lae el, god] &'d,Aaw> [conj.w/Hiphil.impf.1.c.s.w/2.m.s.sf. hdy throw; give thanks];

You are My God, I will extol You [ yh;l{a/ [n.m.p. Elohim] `&'m,m.Ara] [Piel.impf.1.c.s.w/2.m.s.sf. ~wr to rise; to lift up; "extol"].

VERSE 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good [ WdAh [Hiphil.imper.2.m.p. hdy yadhah, throw; give thanks] hw"hyl; [prep.w/pr.n.] bAj-yKi [conj. + adj.m.s.];

For His lovingkindness is everlasting [ `ADs.x; yKi [conj. + n.m.s.cstr.w/3.m.s.sf. chesed] ~l'A[l. [prep.w/n.m.s.].

ANALYSIS: VERSES 22 THRU 29

1. This section identifies the One who "has become" Israel’s "salvation" (cf. v.21b).
2. He is "the stone which the builders rejected"-the Lord Jesus Christ (v.22a).
3. The NT leaves no doubt that this "stone" is Jesus Christ (Matt.21:42; Acts 4:11; Rom.9:32-33; Eph.2:20; 1Pet.2:6-8), as the cornerstone figure was popular with NT writers.
4. Jesus applied this verse to Himself as the scriptural documentation for the Parable of the Vineyard (Matt.21:33-42).
5. This parable He taught while He was in the temple on the day following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt.21:18; cp. vv. 4-11).
6. On the way to teach in the temple He cursed a fig tree illustrating Israel’s rejection by God in 70AD (Matt.21:18-22).
7. The rejection of the nation was also taught in the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt.22:1-14).
8. This verse (Ps.118:22) clearly documents Israel’s rejection of their Messiah at the First Advent.
9. Other OT prophesies that show He would be rejected by His own people (Isa.53:1-3; Dan.9:26; Zech.12:10; 13:6; cp. Jn.1:11).
10. "The builders" refers to the national leadership of Israel; in Christ’s day it referred to the chief priests, Pharisees, and scribes who were responsible to evaluate the claims of messiahship.
11. Jesus met all the biblical credentials, yet in the face of the evidence those responsible for building the nation spiritually rejected their true messiah (Isa.53:1-3)
12. This body of evidence included the messianic prophecies and the miracles He publicly performed.
13. V.21a provides documentation that the ring of enemies (v.10ff.) includes the "builders" themselves.
14. The corporate rejection of Jesus Christ continues until the Tribulation.
15. Then there will be a major change on the part of world Jewry (cf. Rom.11:25-26).
16. A large percentage of Jews around the world will turn to "the stone" which their ancestors repudiated.
17. To use Jesus’ illustration, they will "fall on this stone" (Mt.21:43,44).
18. Some will convert in the first half and others in the second half of the Trib.
19. Israel’s violent rejection of her Messiah in no way overrides God’s plan for Him (v.22b).
20. Even though He was murdered by His own people in collusion with the Roman authority (cf. Acts 4:27; 7:52).
21. The Lord Jesus Christ, the cornerstone rejected by Israel was vindicated by resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God the Father to "become the chief cornerstone" (v.22b).
22. Here we have a metaphor dealing with the temple.
23. The stone is the 1^st stone of the foundation.
24. The other stones of the foundation as well as the rest of the superstructure was keyed to the laying of this stone.
25. The foundation stones were mammoth stones quarried and laid with great precision.
26. Christ is likened to a stone that met all the specifications (material, dimensions, etc.), yet was inexplicably rejected by the builders.
27. The Jews at the 1^st Advent had their own distorted idea of what the Messiah should be.
28. He did not go along with their interpretations of Scripture and they hated Him and sought His destruction.
29. The Messiah is the antitype (reality), the main foundation stone of the spiritual temple.
30. The temple represents the plan of God, and the individual stones represent believers in Christ.
31. Although rejected by men, He was chosen by God and is precious to believers (cp. 1Pet.2:6-7).
32. This metaphor applies equally to both Israel and the Church.
33. This metaphor is also seen in Isa.28:16 where attitude towards "the headstone" is tantamount to making the salvation adjustment.
34. V.23 represents the ‘read-out’ of believing Jews in the last days when they come to know the truth.
35. "This is the LORD’s doing" is full recognition that even though men did what they did to accomplish evil, God saw to it that all was done to advance His eternal plan of salvation (cf. Acts 2:23-24; cp. 3:18; 4:28).
36. "It is marvelous/extraordinary in our eyes" reflects the utter amazement that will come over God’s people when they see who and what their Messiah is at His advent.
37. Their historical cursing will be lifted in spite of their horrific guilt.
38. Verse 24 contains both an affirmation and an exhortation.
39. "This is the day which the LORD has made" is a reference to the Kingdom Age, when Israel and the whole earth will be at peace.
40. This self-exhortation is designed to encourage redeemed and restored Israel to uninhibited joy in the Kingdom Age (cp. Zech.2:10).
41. They are not to dwell on their past unfaithfulness, but to celebrate - in every aspect of their lives - their good fortune.
42. V.25 is a retrospective prayer on the part of those who are faced with annihilation in the period just before the Millennium.
43. This prayer will be on the lips of those who are under maximum distress, but who by faith are expecting the appearance of their Messiah, Jesus Christ.
44. The repetition of the particle of entreaty "we beseech You" demonstrates the urgency of their request for deliverance.
45. The second imperative "do send prosperity" demonstrates their faith in the promises related to their blessings as one nation under Christ in the millennial age (cp. v.5).
46. V.26a is the response on the part of the restored nation during the Millennium.
47. The occasion will be one of the three annual pilgrim festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles).
48. The feast of Tabernacles has both a backward look (Israel’s wilderness wanderings) and a forward look (Israel in the Millennium).
49. This festival will probably be the occasion for a yearly triumphal procession in which Christ will enter the Temple (v.26b) amidst much fanfare.
50. At the 1^st Advent Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Monday of Passion week.
51. The enthusiastic crowds who had gathered to celebrate Passover shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David" (taken from "do save, we beseech You" of v.25a), and "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" (taken from v.26a; cf. Mt.21:9).
52. Jesus rode into the city on the foal of a donkey in fulfillment of Zech.9:9 (cp. Mt.21:4-5).
53. He entered the city in a manner that befit the divine presentation of the Messiah under kenosis.
54. The Jewish crowds wanted a savior which would bring Davidic prosperity and independence.
55. Their conception of Messiah excluded the all-important aspect of spiritual salvation.
56. There was no place in their thinking for a suffering Messiah.
57. They wanted the crown at the exclusion of the cross.
58. Hence, they were fickle and oblivious to the prophetic program that was unfolding before their eyes (cf. Lk.19:38-44).
59. Practically everyone, unbeliever and believer alike was maladjusted to the necessity of a suffering messiah.
60. Even Jesus’ 12 disciples and His mother were at odds with Him with respect to the Cross (Mt.16:21-23; cp. 17:22; .20:18,19.
61. This explains why they deserted Him when He was arrested.
62. The scene projected in v.26 involves a single individual (Messiah) "who comes (or "enters") in the name of the LORD", the Jews who line the processional, and those who are in the temple (v.26b).
63. Those who are in the temple speak to those who are outside.
64. The 2m.p.suffix "you" associated with the verb "We have blessed" suggests this.
65. Jesus Christ will come to the millennial temple amidst much fanfare, but unlike the Jews at the 1^st Advent He will be honored based on a complete understanding of Who and What He is.
66. Vv. 27-29 continues their enthusiastic acclaim of the triumphant King.
67. He will be acclaimed as "God" and as the source of their spiritual "light" (v.27).
68. Then believing Israel will know that Jesus Christ is God and that it is He who has given them "light" to replace their many centuries of darkness.
69. V.27b is a call on the part of Israel to make ready the appropriate "festival sacrifice" commemorating His work at the 1^st Advent.
70. Modified Levitical ritual will be a part of the millennial worship (cf. Ezek.44:15).
71. The altar is a reference to the bronze altar which symbolizes the Cross (It was positioned outside the Holy Place in the outer court).
72. The "horns of the altar" symbolize the fact that God’s saving power is associated with Christ’s work on the Cross.
73. God’s power to save the individual is contingent upon faith in the Person and Work of Christ (i.e., gospel; Rom.1:16)"
74. In v.28 the people acclaim Him as "my God" (El) indicating that they have a personal relationship with the One who is God (v.27a).
75. In turn they will extend to Him the full credit that is His alone in His presence in the Kingdom (v.28).
76. This is in complete contrast to the way they treated Him at the 1^st Advent.
77. The song concludes with a general call to "Give thanks to Yahweh" (v.29).
78. Considering all that has transpired and all that lies before them, the words "He is good" and "His loyalty is everlasting" lends full meaning to the psalm’s opening summons.