Day 706: Psalm 118- The Substance Of Steadfast Love

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
    the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
    What can man do to me?

7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
    they went out like a fire among thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
    but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has become my salvation.
15 Glad songs of salvation
    are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
16     the right hand of the Lord exalts,
    the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
    and recount the deeds of the Lord.

18 The Lord has disciplined me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord's doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!
    O Lord, we pray, give us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
    We bless you from the house of the Lord.

27 The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
    up to the horns of the altar!
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
    you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
 
 
Meditation
Today’s song of salvation is a celebration of God’s steadfast love. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ! And the substance of God’s steadfast love, revealed in this song, should saturate and strengthen our souls.
 
God’s love is steadfast! God’s love is an eternal, forever love. Not even death can separate us from God’s steadfast love (1-4).
 
God’s love is steadfast! God’s love is an engaging, helping love. God is our helper and He answers our cries and frees us on every side (5-9).
 
God’s love is steadfast! God’s love is empowering, cutting off enemies and catching us in falling (10-14). God is our strength and our songs of victory are founded on His faithfulness (15-18).
 
God’s love is steadfast! God’s love is evident, clear in Christ who puts flesh on the steadfast love of God. Jesus is our true righteousness and salvation (19-20), the rejected stone that becomes the corner stone (22-23; Ephesians 2:19-20). The sure salvation of Jesus secures the faithfulness of God, whose mercies are new every morning. Jesus gives us joy to sing, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (21-24). Jesus is the true King to whom we scream, “Hosanna! Save Now! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (25-27).

God’s love is steadfast! We extol God for His love, giving thanks for His grace and goodness (28-29). We give thanks because God’s love is steadfast: eternal, engaging, empowering, and evident. Let us extol the Lord together.
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-Which description of God’s steadfast love stands out to you the most? Why?
 
-Where do you need to sing and celebrate the substance of God’s steadfast love in your life and love?
 
-The song ends with thanksgiving, solidifying our standing on God’s steadfast love. Take time to thank the Lord for His steadfast love. Be specific!
 
Key verses
1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!