Psalm of praise and prophecy; used at the Feast of Tabernacles, and before the Passover; links with John 7.37-39 when Jesus was at Tabernacles. The psalmist recalls past blessings, Lev 23.40, 43; Deut 16.16, and God's mercy.

v1: Phrase used in Ps 136.

v2-4: Compare Ps 115.9-13; perhaps sung responsively, with the people gathered for worship.

v5-18: Testimony of God's blessing; there are three distinct testimonies;

• v5-9, delivered from distress;
• v10-14, saved from danger, and victory over oppression;
• v15-18, recovery from disease, and death avoided.

v5: Delivered into a broad place; of freedom as well as security; such is the paradox of faith.

v6-7: Confident of security, quoted in Heb 13.6; which we say with confidence.

v8-9: Security only in God, not man; this was a lesson learned in practice, not just taught in a classroom.

v10-12: Even though the nations took counsel together, there was victory. They were harsh and cruel and numerous, like a swarm of bees, but there was victory "in the Name of the Lord."

v13-14: Whatever the treatment we endure at the hands of men, we see that the Lord helped. We have strength and joy in Him; not just survival, but abundant salvation. Verse 14 echoes the song of Ex 15.2; the Psalmist's salvation is thus likened to Israel's deliverance from Egypt.

v15-16: God at work in our lives; the right hand of the Lord, bringing rejoicing and salvation. All blessing is God's work; and we must acknowledge that.

v17-18: The psalmist had endured a time of severe chastening, and had been near to death. He had come though it, and now declared the works of the Lord.

v19-29: The final section looks forward to the arrival of the Messiah.

v19-20: Perhaps sung as the people entered Jerusalem; a reminder that access is by righteousness; fulfilled in Christ, who entered heaven, Acts 1.11, by His own righteousness, and He leads the testimony of thanksgiving to the Lord God, Heb 2.12.

v21: Praise to God; it is through His righteousness that we my be saved.

v22-24: The stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God; perhaps a stone that was visible in the temple buildings as the worshippers approached. We see Christ by faith; He is chosen and exalted by God. This is marvellous to us; no wonder we rejoice and are glad.

v25-26: Hosanna; words used as Christ entered the city. The people blessed each other with these words; the greater fulfilment is in Christ, who gives us the greatest blessings.

v27: The sacrifice made, again pointing us to the suffering Saviour. The altar of sacrifice was the place to which the procession was going; here is the goal of the people, and later of Christ our Saviour (Luke 9.51).

v28: Response in praise to God.

v29: As in v1; we give thanks to God as His wonderful plan of salvation is revealed.