Psalm 118:5-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:6

The Lord is on my side . "At this point the speaker transfers his point of view into the past; he is once more fear less in the midst of foes" (Cheyne). I will not fear (comp. Psalms 23:4 ; Psalms 27:1 ; Psalms 56:4 , etc.). What can man do unto me? Man is powerless against God. "If God be for us [ i . e . on our side], who can be against us?" ( Romans 8:31 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:5

I called upon the Lord in distress - Margin, as in Hebrew, “out of distress.” In the very midst of trouble he called upon the Lord; his voice was heard, as it were, coming from the depth of his sorrows. See the notes at Psalms 18:6.The Lord answered me - That is, he heard my prayers, and delivered me. See the notes at Psalms 18:6.And set me in a large place - I was before pressed on every side; sorrows compassed me around; I could not move; I had no liberty. Now he gave me space and freedom on... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:6

The Lord is on my side - Margin, as in Hebrew,” for me.” The Lord is with me. He is my helper. He defends my cause.I will not fear - I have nothing to be afraid of. God is more mighty than any or all of my foes, and he can deliver me from them all. Compare Psalms 56:4, Psalms 56:9,Psalms 56:11.What can man do unto me? - Any person; all people. They can do no more than God permits. They cannot destroy me when he means to save me; they cannot defeat his gracious designs toward me. I am safe if... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 118:5-7

Psalms 118:5-7. I called upon the Lord in distress As if he had said, You may see an example of the divine mercy in me, who was in grievous straits and dangers, but, imploring God’s protection and help, he answered me, and set me in a large place He not only delivered me, but placed me in a secure condition, free from all such molestation. Dr. Waterland renders the clause, The Lord answered me with enlargement. The Lord is on my side It is evident he takes my part; I will not fear, ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 118:1-29

Psalms 118:0 A procession of thanksgivingOriginally this hymn was apparently sung by a combination of the temple singers, the congregation and the king, to mark some great national occasion such as a victory in battle. The scene is set in the temple, where the royal procession enters the gates and moves to the altar (see v. 19,20,27).The singers call Israel to worship, and the congregation responds with praise to God for his steadfast love (1-4). The king then recounts how, in answer to prayer,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 118:5

THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 . and set me in a large place. The current Hebrew text = with the deliverance of JAH, bammerhab yah (two words). The Massoretic text reads it as one word, bammerhabyah = with deliverance. The Authorized Version and Revised Version transfer the yah to the beginning of the clause, and are then compelled to make out the sense by supplying "and set me". They do not even notice the Massoretic reading. The printed text reads: "I called upon Jah in distress, He... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 118:6

The LORD, &c. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Quoted in Hebrews 13:6 . man = a man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 118:5

"Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah:Jehovah answered me and set me in a large place.Jehovah is on my side; I will not fear:What can man do unto me?Jehovah is on my side among them that help me:Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.""And set me in a large place" (Psalms 118:5). The palace of the king of Israel would indeed qualify for such a designation."I will not fear what man can do unto me" (Psalms 118:6). The author of Hebrews quoted this making it applicable to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 118:5

Psalms 118:5. The Lord answered me, and set me in a large place,— The Lord answered me with enlargement. Mudge. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:5

5. distress—literally, "straits," to which "large place" corresponds, as in Psalms 4:1; Psalms 31:8. read more

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