Psalm 118:1
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 118[a]
Hymn of Thanksgiving
I
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,(A)
his mercy endures forever.
Footnotes
- Psalm 118 A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29).
Psalm 118:8-9
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
8 Better to take refuge in the Lord(A)
than to put one’s trust in mortals.
9 Better to take refuge in the Lord
than to put one’s trust in princes.
Psalm 118:21-23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
21 I thank you for you answered me;
you have been my savior.
22 [a]The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.(A)
23 By the Lord has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
Footnotes
- 118:22 The stone the builders rejected: a proverb: what is insignificant to human beings has become great through divine election. The “stone” may originally have meant the foundation stone or capstone of the Temple. The New Testament interpreted the verse as referring to the death and resurrection of Christ (Mt 21:42; Acts 4:11; cf. Is 28:16 and Rom 9:33; 1 Pt 2:7).
Psalm 118:26
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
VI
26 Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord.(A)
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
Psalm 118:28-29
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
VII
28 You are my God, I give you thanks;
my God, I offer you praise.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
his mercy endures forever.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.