# 30 2021 Dev. Psalm 118:14. God is Good! Read all of Psalm 118 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Psalm 118:14 “The Lord is my strength and my defense[a]; he has become my salvation.”
Introduction. Psalm 111- 119, This series is called the Egypt “Hallalu Yah” (Hallelujah) meaning rejoicing to praise God for His salvation. Not superficially but as a matter of the heart, true piety! The series has a close connection with the songs of Miriam Ex.15:1-21 and of Mary Lk.1:46-56.
Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving and praise to God for “his love endures forever.” This Ps. of this series (111-119) directly highlights salvation from a powerful enemy. The king or leader is speaking for the people. The song is bracketed with: “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever.” Sections of this Ps. are quoted and referred to in the New Testament.
Vs. 1-4 is a call to worship: “Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘his love endures forever.” This applies to us today; God is good, God cares for us daily and God’s world continues to speak of His Glory every morning.
Vs. 5-7 Introduces the issue that the leader is addressing. We all can identify with that issue at one time or an other; illness, rejection, loss or conflict.
Vs.8-14 The leader affirms his trust in God, not humans and elaborates on what God has done for him. Can you look back and reflect on God’s goodness? Yes, we all can! With the Psalmist we say: “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Amen!
Vs.15-21 Here the leader praises God and acknowledges God’s discipline, not unto death but for righteousness. “This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.” In the leader’s time, probably the temple. For us it is our faith in Jesus the Christ.
Vs. 22-24 is the praise and adulation of the people. Jesus quotes this passages referring it to himself and this passage is quoted and referred to five different times in the New Testament. I like this reference Eph. 2:19-22.
V.25 stands alone; “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!” How many times have I prayed this prayer? How about you?
V.26-29 prefigures Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, John 12:12-16.
Followers of Jesus will quote the last two verses of this song: “You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God and I will exalt you. Give thanks to God for he is good; his love endures forever.” Amen!
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