Psa 118:18 | KingComments | STEP | The greater the danger, the greater the deliverance from it. The greater the deliverance, the greater the joy. The joy of the psalmist is no longer personal joy, but is shared by others. The song of joy because of deliverance fills “the tents of the righteous” ( ). In the tents is “the sound of joyful shouting and salvation”. The content of the song is “the right hand of the LORD” ( ; cf. ). Its threefold repetition indicates the exuberance of joy. Twice it is sung with joy that that hand “does valiantly” and once that that hand “is exalted”. By “the right hand of the LORD” we can think of the Lord Jesus, Who is exalted at God’s right hand ( ). Through Him, God does valiantly. Attached to the joy of the LORD’s powerful deeds, for the psalmist or the remnant, is the assurance that they will “not die, but live” ( ; cf. ). At the same time, they also mention what the purpose of their lives is: it is to “tell of the works of the LORD”. Also, they are aware that they have no right to life. They have been “disciplined … severely” by the LORD because of their sins ( ). Therewith, they acknowledge His justice. Discipline, however, is not intended to cause them to perish, but to cleanse them ( ). Discipline is not an end goal, but a means. They have understood this. That is why they add with gratitude: “But He has not given me over to death.” Everything speaks of the LORD’s lovingkindness.

‏ Psalms 118:18

The LORD Does Valiantly

The greater the danger, the greater the deliverance from it. The greater the deliverance, the greater the joy. The joy of the psalmist is no longer personal joy, but is shared by others. The song of joy because of deliverance fills “the tents of the righteous” (Psa 118:15). In the tents is “the sound of joyful shouting and salvation”.

The content of the song is “the right hand of the LORD” (Psa 118:15c-16; cf. Exo 15:6 ; 12). Its threefold repetition indicates the exuberance of joy. Twice it is sung with joy that that hand “does valiantly” and once that that hand “is exalted”. By “the right hand of the LORD” we can think of the Lord Jesus, Who is exalted at God’s right hand (Psa 110:1). Through Him, God does valiantly.

Attached to the joy of the LORD’s powerful deeds, for the psalmist or the remnant, is the assurance that they will “not die, but live” (Psa 118:17; cf. 2Cor 6:9b). At the same time, they also mention what the purpose of their lives is: it is to “tell of the works of the LORD”.

Also, they are aware that they have no right to life. They have been “disciplined … severely” by the LORD because of their sins (Psa 118:18). Therewith, they acknowledge His justice. Discipline, however, is not intended to cause them to perish, but to cleanse them (Heb 12:5-11). Discipline is not an end goal, but a means. They have understood this. That is why they add with gratitude: “But He has not given me over to death.” Everything speaks of the LORD’s lovingkindness.