A Song About the Lord’s Forever-Enduring, Steadfast Love

Sermon Summary

Main Point: Give thanks to the good and steadfast LORD—Who is our Strength, Song, and Salvation.

Psalm 118 celebrates the steadfast love of the Lord, calling us to give thanks for His goodness, strength, and salvation. The Psalmist reflects on how God delivers His people, even through discipline, and turns enemies into covenant participants, showcasing His mercy. Ultimately, the Psalm points forward to Jesus Christ, the rejected Cornerstone who became our salvation by sacrificing Himself for us. His rejection ensures our acceptance, transforming us into living stones in God’s house of righteousness. In light of this, we are called to rejoice, give thanks, and trust in the Lord's enduring love and faithfulness.

Sermon Outline:

1. He is Our Strength (vv. 1-12)

2. He is Our Song (vv. 13-18)

3. He is Our Salvation (vv. 19-29)

Sermon Text: Psalm 118

118 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!

Discussion Questions:

1. The Psalmist begins and ends with the same call to give thanks for the Lord's goodness and steadfast love (vv. 1, 29). How does reflecting on God's steadfast love help you cultivate gratitude, even outside of seasons like Thanksgiving?

2. How does the Psalmist describe the Lord as his strength in the face of opposition? Have you experienced a time when you felt God was your strength in a difficult situation?

3. The phrase “What can man do to me?” acknowledges both human harm and God’s ultimate protection. How can we hold onto this truth when dealing with fear, hurt, or betrayal caused by others?

4. The Psalmist acknowledges the Lord’s discipline alongside His help. How do you see God’s discipline and deliverance working together in your own life?
   5. How does the imagery of God as a song resonate with your worship experience? Are there specific ways God’s work in your life has inspired you to praise Him?

5. Jesus identifies Himself as the cornerstone rejected by men (v. 22). How does this deepen our understanding of Christ’s humility and the nature of salvation?

6. The psalmist cries out, “Save us!” (v. 25), and celebrates salvation as a completed work (v. 24). How does this dual perspective help us understand both the already and not-yet aspects of our salvation in Christ?

7. How does this psalm encourage you to see God’s steadfast love in the midst of discipline, hardship, or rejection?

8. In what areas of your life can you more intentionally thank God for being your strength, song, and salvation?

9. What practical ways can you reflect God’s steadfast love to others, especially those who might be considered “enemies”?