Psalm 118:19-29

Read Psalm 118:19-29

Helpful Background Information: 

• There are 150 psalms compiled together in the Bible. They consist of poems, songs, and prayers from different periods of time in Israel’s history. The last section of Psalm 118 is an expression of thanksgiving that would have likely been rehearsed regularly in or around the temple. As a whole, this particular Psalm speaks to threats of hostility and the Lord’s intervention to deliver and save. 

• It is no surprise, then, that the crowds shouted a portion of Psalm 118 as Jesus entered Jerusalem with all kinds of pomp and circumstance (Psalm 118:25-26; Mark 11:9-10). There’s a good chance that everyone was under the impression that something new and exciting was happening. What’s interesting, though, is the additional sentence the crowds inserted into the middle of Psalm 118: ”blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David” (Mark 11:10a). 

• Early in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus announced that a certain kingdom had come near (Mark 1:15). What becomes clear as the story unfolds, however, is that the kingdom Jesus brings is different from the kind of kingdom many of the people were looking for. Later, in Mark 12:10-11, Jesus will articulate how the whole of Psalm 118 actually makes sense of what was happening before their eyes.

Reflection Questions: 

• Psalm 118 is best understood when read in its entirety. As you read through the entire psalm, what stands out to you the most? Why?

• The crowds in Jesus' day picked out a small part of Psalm 118 that they liked and added their own agenda to it. How can using Scripture in this way lead to misunderstandings and disappointments?

• The people asked for the Lord to bring salvation (Psalm 118:25). In and through Jesus, He did just that. In your own words, try to explain how God brought about the salvation of His people. Then, pray and praise God for this truth.