If there is a common refrain of worship in the Psalms, it is the one at the beginning of Psalm 118: Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. The LORD’s lovingkindness is His loyal love to His people. Indeed it is a song for all His people: Oh let Israel say – Oh let the house of Aaron say – Oh let those who fear the LORD say, His lovingkindness is everlasting (verses 2-4).
His loyal love is manifest in so many ways. In this instance, the psalmist praised the LORDfor saving him in a stressful situation:
From my distress I called to the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a large place.
The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? (vv. 5-6).
The imagery of verse 5 is beautiful. The Hebrew word for distress can also be translated strait, as in a very narrow place where one is pressured from every side. But he praises the LORD for setting him in a large or broad place where his stress is relieved. Not only does the LORD relieve his stress, but also his fear. What or who do we look to for relief of our stress and fear? We have lots of options in our day; but the psalmist declares the better choice:
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes (vv. 8-9).
Yours and His,
Pastor Ed Smith