Psalms 111 - 118
Opening Prayer
A Prayer for Studying Psalms 111–118
Gracious and Almighty God,
I come before You with a grateful heart, longing to know You more deeply through Your holy Word. Thank You for giving us the Psalms — songs of praise, deliverance, and unwavering trust that have sustained Your people for generations.
As I study Psalms 111 through 118, I ask for the illumination of Your Holy Spirit. Open my eyes to behold wonderful things in Your law. Help me truly see:
The majesty of Your works and the glory of Your character in Psalm 111,
The blessings that flow from a life lived in reverent fear of You in Psalm 112,
Your sovereign power and tender mercy toward the lowly in Psalm 113,
Your mighty acts of deliverance in Psalm 114,
Your faithfulness when we feel small or surrounded by opposition in Psalm 115,
The depth of Your personal care when we cry out to You in Psalm 116,
The beautiful call for all nations to praise Your steadfast love and faithfulness in Psalm 117,
And the triumphant joy of Psalm 118 — that “This is the day the Lord has made,” and that Your steadfast love endures forever.
Lord, plant these truths deep in my heart. Teach me to praise You with my whole being, even in difficulty. Let Your Word shape my thoughts, my words, and my daily walk. Give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation so I may know You better and love You more.
May these psalms stir fresh worship in my life and fill me with courage, gratitude, and holy confidence in Your salvation.
I pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Scripture NKJV
Psalms 111
Praise to God for His Faithfulness and Justice
1 Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
3 His work is honorable and glorious, And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
6 He has declared to His people the power of His works,
In giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure.
8 They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.
Psalms 112
The Blessed State of the Righteous
1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.
2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.
4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
9 He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever;
His horn will be exalted with honor.
10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked shall perish.
Note: (gnashing of the teeth = grinding or clenching one’s teeth together. Intense Anger, Rage, or Hostility, It shows hatred, resentment, jealousy, or frustration)
Psalms 113
The Majesty and Condescension of God
1 Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord’s name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
7 He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
8 That He may seat him with princes— With the princes of His people.
9 He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Psalms 114
The Power of God in His Deliverance of Israel
1 When Israel went out of Egypt,
The house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion.
3 The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs.
5 What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back?
6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.
Psalms 115
The Futility of Idols and the Trustworthiness of God
1 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.
2 Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?”
3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands.
5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see;
6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell;
7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk;
Nor do they mutter through their throat.
8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, Both small and great.
14 May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s;
But the earth He has given to the children of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord From this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!
Psalms 116
Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death
1 I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
3 The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.”
11 I said in my haste, “All men are liars.”
12 What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?
13 I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the Lord.
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord Now in the presence of all His people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.
16 O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord Now in the presence of all His people,
19 In the courts of the Lord’s house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
Psalms 117
Let All Peoples Praise the Lord
1 Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!
2 For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
Psalms 118
Praise to God for His Everlasting Mercy
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
2 Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord now say, “His mercy endures forever.”
5 I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
11 They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them,
And I will praise the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise You, For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, And He has given us light;
Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You.
29 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
What it all means
Here’s a clear and concise explanation of Psalms 111–118
These eight psalms are part of the “Egyptian Hallel” (Psalms 113–118), traditionally sung by Jews during the Passover meal. Together, they form a beautiful progression of praise, remembrance, thanksgiving, and trust in God. Psalms 111 and 112 serve as an introduction focused on God’s character and the life of the godly person.
Psalm 111 – The Greatness of God’s Works
Type: Acrostic poem (each line begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet).
Main Theme: A celebration of God’s wonderful works, His character, and His faithfulness.
Key Verse: “The works of the Lord are great, sought out by all who have pleasure in them.” (v. 2)
Meaning: God is righteous, gracious, merciful, and just. He provides food for His people, keeps His covenant, and gives them the Promised Land. The psalm ends with the foundational truth: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Lesson: When we study God’s actions in history and in our lives, it leads us to awe and wisdom.
Psalm 112 – The Blessings of the Righteous
Type: Also an acrostic, paired with Psalm 111.
Main Theme: The person who fears God and delights in His commandments will be blessed.
Key Verse: “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.” (v. 1)
Meaning: The righteous person is gracious, compassionate, generous, and steady. Even in darkness, “light arises” for them. Their heart is fixed on trusting God.
Lesson: Godliness leads to inner stability and lasting blessing, even when life is difficult.
Psalm 113 – Who Is Like the Lord?
Main Theme: God’s greatness and His care for the humble.
Key Verses: “Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” (v. 5–6)
Meaning: God is exalted above all, yet He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the ash heap. He makes the barren woman a joyful mother.
Lesson: God’s majesty is shown not only in His power but in His tender compassion for the lowly.
Psalm 114 – When Israel Came Out of Egypt
Main Theme: A poetic retelling of the Exodus.
Key Image: The sea fled, the Jordan turned back, mountains skipped like rams — all creation trembled at God’s presence.
Meaning: God dramatically delivered Israel from slavery. He turned a household (Jacob) into a holy nation. The psalm emphasizes God’s power over nature and history.
Lesson: The God who delivered Israel is still the same God who can deliver His people today.
Psalm 115 – Glory to God Alone
Main Theme: A strong contrast between the living God and lifeless idols.
Key Verse: “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory.” (v. 1)
Meaning: Idols have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, etc. Those who trust in them become like them. But Israel’s God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases. The psalm ends with a call to trust in the Lord.
Lesson: We must reject modern “idols” (money, success, power) and give God all the glory.
Psalm 116 – I Love the Lord
Main Theme: A deeply personal song of thanksgiving after a near-death experience.
Key Verses: “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications… He delivered my soul from death.” (v. 1, 8)
Meaning: The psalmist was in great distress and sorrow but cried out to God, who saved him. Now he responds with love, gratitude, and a public vow to offer thanksgiving and fulfill his vows.
Lesson: God is near to us in our suffering. Personal deliverance should lead to personal devotion and public testimony.
Psalm 117 – The Shortest Psalm
Main Theme: A universal call to praise.
Full Text (very short):
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!
Meaning: Even though it is only two verses, it is incredibly important — the Apostle Paul quoted it in Romans 15:11 to show that God always planned to save people from all nations.
Lesson: God’s steadfast love and faithfulness are for the whole world.
Psalm 118 – His Mercy Endures Forever
Main Theme: Triumphant thanksgiving and trust in God.
Key Verses:
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (repeated throughout)
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” (v. 22)
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (v. 24)
Meaning: This is a Messianic psalm. It speaks of being surrounded by enemies, yet victorious through the Lord. Jesus quoted this psalm about Himself (the rejected stone). It was likely sung during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Lesson: Even when rejected or attacked, when we trust in the Lord, He becomes our strength, song, and salvation.
Overall Message of Psalms 111–118: They move from wonder at God’s character (111–112) → praise for His deliverance (113–114) → rejection of idols and personal trust (115–116) → universal praise and triumphant faith (117–118).
What is the Egyptian Hallel?
The Egyptian Hallel is the traditional name for Psalms 113–118.
Meaning of the Term
Hallel is a Hebrew word that simply means “Praise”. (You see it in the word “Hallelujah,” which means “Praise the Lord” or “Praise Yah.”)
It is called the Egyptian Hallel (or Hallel Miẓri in Hebrew) because of its strong connection to the Exodus from Egypt. Psalm 114 explicitly recalls the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery:
“When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language...” (Psalm 114:1)
This group of six psalms is therefore especially linked to the memory of God’s great redemption of His people from bondage in Egypt.
Historical and Liturgical Use
These psalms were (and still are) sung or recited during Passover (Pesach), the Jewish festival that commemorates the Exodus.
In the time of Jesus, the Egyptian Hallel was traditionally sung as part of the Passover meal (Seder):
Psalms 113–114 were sung before the main meal.
Psalms 115–118 were sung after the meal.
This is very likely the hymn that Jesus and His disciples sang at the end of the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30 – “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives”).
Besides Passover, the Egyptian Hallel is also recited on other Jewish festivals such as Shavuot (Pentecost) and Sukkot (Tabernacles).
Overall Theme
The Egyptian Hallel moves through a powerful progression:
Psalm 113: God’s greatness and compassion for the lowly
Psalm 114: God’s dramatic deliverance from Egypt
Psalm 115: Glory belongs to God alone (not to idols)
Psalm 116: Personal thanksgiving for deliverance
Psalm 117: A call for all nations to praise God
Psalm 118: Triumphant trust and thanksgiving (“His mercy endures forever”)
Together, they beautifully combine praise for who God is, gratitude for what He has done (especially the Exodus), and trust in His continuing faithfulness.
Why is the Cornerstone in Psalm 118 so important?
Messianic Study of Psalm 118
Psalm 118 is one of the most important Messianic psalms in the Old Testament. It is the final psalm in the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113–118) and is filled with themes of deliverance, rejection, victory, and God’s enduring mercy. While it originally expressed thanksgiving (likely by a Davidic king after victory), the New Testament clearly applies it to Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah.
Overall Structure and Context
Verses 1–4: Call to praise — “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever.”
Verses 5–18: The psalmist’s distress, surrounded by enemies, yet delivered by the Lord.
Verses 19–21: Entering the gates of righteousness.
Verses 22–29: Climax with the rejected stone, the day of the Lord, and final praise.
The psalm points forward to a greater King who would face rejection but achieve ultimate victory through God’s power.
Key Messianic Prophecies and Their Fulfillment
1. The Rejected Stone Becomes the Chief Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22–23)
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Meaning: In ancient building, the cornerstone was the most important stone — it aligned the entire structure. The “builders” (Israel’s religious leaders) rejected the stone God intended as essential. Yet God exalted it.
New Testament Fulfillment:
Jesus directly quoted this about Himself in the Parable of the Vineyard (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10–11; Luke 20:17).
Peter applied it to Jesus after healing the lame man (Acts 4:11): “This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.”
Peter expands on it in 1 Peter 2:4–8, calling Jesus the living Stone — precious to believers but a stumbling stone to the disobedient.
Paul echoes the imagery in Ephesians 2:20, where Christ is the chief cornerstone of the Church.
This is one of the clearest prophecies of the Messiah’s rejection by His own people and His subsequent exaltation.
2. The Triumphal Entry and Acclamation (Psalm 118:25–26)
“Save now, I pray, O Lord… Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Meaning: “Hosanna” (Hebrew: Hoshiah na) means “Save now!” The crowds would one day acclaim the coming King.
Fulfillment: This was shouted by the crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9–10; Luke 19:38; John 12:13). They added “Son of David,” recognizing the Messianic implications.
Jesus fulfilled this as the King entering in the name of the Lord, just days before His crucifixion.
3. “This Is the Day the Lord Has Made” (Psalm 118:24)
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Meaning: Refers to the day of God’s dramatic deliverance and victory.
Christian Interpretation: Many see this as pointing to the day of Christ’s resurrection — the ultimate victory over sin and death. Early Christians and the Church have long used this verse in Easter celebrations.
4. Surrounded by Enemies but Victorious (Psalm 118:10–14) The psalmist says enemies surrounded him like bees but were defeated “in the name of the Lord.” This foreshadows Jesus being surrounded by opposition, betrayed, and crucified — yet rising victorious through God’s strength.
5. The Righteous Gate and Salvation (Psalm 118:19–20)
“Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them…”
Jesus declared, “I am the door/gate” (John 10:9). He is the righteous way into God’s presence.
Why Is Psalm 118 Considered Messianic?
The New Testament quotes or alludes to it extensively (second most-quoted psalm after Psalm 110).
Jesus Himself applied verses 22–23 to His ministry.
It fits the pattern of the suffering yet victorious Davidic King.
Jewish tradition already associated parts of this psalm with the Messiah, especially during Passover.
Practical Application for Study
Rejection and Exaltation: Jesus’ path — rejection by leaders, yet chosen by God — encourages believers facing opposition.
God’s Mercy: The repeated refrain “His mercy endures forever” reminds us that God’s steadfast love triumphs even through suffering.
Worship: This psalm calls us to rejoice in the “day” God has made — especially the new life we have in the risen Christ.
Psalm 118 beautifully portrays the Messiah as the rejected but exalted King, the cornerstone of God’s redemptive plan.
Closing Statement for Your Study of Psalms 111–118
As we conclude this study of Psalms 111 through 118, we have walked through a powerful progression of worship that begins with awe at God’s character and culminates in triumphant praise. These psalms, known as the Egyptian Hallel, were sung by God’s people to remember His mighty deliverance from Egypt and to celebrate His enduring faithfulness.
Throughout these eight psalms, we have seen:
The majesty and righteousness of God (Psalm 111),
The blessings of a life lived in reverent fear of Him (Psalm 112),
His compassion for the lowly and His sovereign power over creation (Psalms 113–114),
The futility of idols contrasted with the living God who hears and saves (Psalm 115),
Personal gratitude for deliverance from death and despair (Psalm 116),
A universal call for all nations to praise His steadfast love (Psalm 117), and
Finally, in Psalm 118, the dramatic picture of the rejected stone becoming the chief cornerstone — a clear prophecy of the Messiah.
Together, these psalms paint a complete picture: God is worthy of all praise because of who He is, what He has done, and what He continues to do. They point us forward to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled Psalm 118 as the rejected yet exalted King. He is the One who entered Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna,” became the cornerstone of our salvation, and rose victorious on the day the Lord had made.
Final Reflection:
May the truths we have studied in these psalms move from our heads into our hearts. Let us join the ancient chorus and declare with fresh conviction:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever.”
May we live as people who fear the Lord, trust in His deliverance, and proclaim His praise — not only in times of joy, but especially when surrounded by trials. And may the risen Christ, our Chief Cornerstone, be the center of our worship, our hope, and our daily lives.
To Him be all glory, honor, and praise — both now and forever.
Amen.
Thank you for joining me in todays study through Psalms. I pray you find peace and joy in your life today. I love you.
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Special thanks are given to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, for the gift of writing and the privilege of sharing this Bible Study. His guidance and blessings have made this work possible, and it is with a grateful heart that can share my study with you. I hope you find it informational and helpful in your spiritual journey. I am asking that you open your hearts and minds to accept the word of Christ into your hearts and accept His word to transform your life in positive ways. This is the first part of my online Christian Bookstore Fellowship and I do accept donations that will further my mission to have a Bookstore in our community, a place where we can sit down face to face and enjoy this Bible Study over open and honest conversation. I will continue this online Study as well to complete the entire year. Thank you for following The Mustard Seed Christian Bookstore Fellowship & Café online Bible Study.
This Bible study is written with inspiration and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, Scripture from the Holy Bible (NIV), NKJV Life Application Study Bible, analytical support and help in organizing and presentation from Grok AI (which examines multiple sources online) and writing assistance with drafting and editing from Microsoft Co-Pilot.
