All things bear record · Psalms

Psalms 118

3 witnesses of Christ here, and 5 further echoes from the reading.

Jehovah

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. Psalms 118:5–6

Because Jehovah is on our side, we need not fear what people can do. Hebrews quotes this as a promise that the Lord will never leave us.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

  • quoted by Hebrews 13:5-6 — "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

Jehovah, my Salvation

Salvation (Hebrew yeshuah) — the same root as Yeshua, Jesus: "Jehovah saves"

The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. Psalms 118:14–16

The LORD has become the psalmist's salvation. The Hebrew word for salvation shares its root with the name Jesus, and Isaiah's version of this line names the LORD JEHOVAH.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

  • quotes Exodus 15:2 — Moses's song at the Red Sea.
  • the same title in Isaiah 12:2 — "The LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation."

Resurrection

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Psalms 118:17–18

Sore chastening but not being given over to death echoes Christ's suffering and Resurrection, especially if He sang this psalm on the night before His death.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him

The Gate of the LORD

Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: Psalms 118:19–20

The righteous enter through the gate of the LORD. Jesus called Himself the door, and the Book of Mormon calls Him the keeper of the gate, who employs no servant there.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • alluded to by John 10:9 — "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved."
  • the same title in 2 Nephi 9:41 — The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel.

Chief Cornerstone

Head stone of the corner — the cornerstone that sets and holds the whole building

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Psalms 118:22–23

The stone rejected by the builders becomes the most important stone of all. Jesus applied this to Himself when Jerusalem's leaders rejected Him, and Peter and Jacob both taught that Christ is this stone, the only sure foundation.

AttestedProphecy or typeA pronoun that refers to Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • quoted by Matthew 21:42 — Jesus: "Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected..."
  • quoted by Acts 4:10-11 — Peter: Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the stone set at nought by you builders.
  • quoted by 1 Peter 2:7 — The stone disallowed is made the head of the corner.
  • interpreted by Jacob 4:15-17 — The Jews reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation.
  • the same title in Ephesians 2:20 — Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

Hosanna

Save now (Hebrew hoshi'ah na) — the cry that became "Hosanna"

Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Psalms 118:25

"Save now" in Hebrew is where the word Hosanna comes from. The crowds shouted it to Jesus on Palm Sunday, recognizing Him as the Saviour, and the Nephites shouted it at His coming.

A readingProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him
  • quoted by Matthew 21:9 — "Hosanna to the Son of David."
  • alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:17 — The Nephites cry Hosanna and fall at the feet of Jesus.

He that cometh in the name of the LORD

Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. Psalms 118:26

The one who comes in the LORD's name was hailed in these exact words as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Jesus said Jerusalem would say them again when He returns.

A readingProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him
  • quoted by Matthew 21:9 — The multitudes at the triumphal entry.
  • quoted by John 12:13 — "Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."
  • quoted by Matthew 23:39 — Jesus: ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Psalms 118:27

The LORD who gives light is followed by the command to bind the sacrifice to the altar. Every such sacrifice was a likeness of Jesus, who was bound and offered as the great and last sacrifice.

A readingProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him
  • interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.
  • interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The whole meaning of the law points to that great and last sacrifice.