Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
Verse 2Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
Verse 19Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
Verse 20This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
Verse 21I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
Verse 22The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Verse 23This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Verse 24This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Verse 25Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Verse 26Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.
Verse 27The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
Verse 28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
Verse 29O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Devotion
Have you ever been part of a crowd that spontaneously burst into applause or cheers? How did that feel? What sparked the moment? The home team wins in the last moments of the game. The orchestra flawlessly performs a piece with great passion. The hero overcomes the conflict in the movie. Can you hear the crowd go wild?
This week we come to the end of the Lenten journey. Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem and the crowds erupt in celebration with the words of Psalm 118. “Give thanks to the Lord!” “Hosanna (save us)!” “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” “God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
The Hebrew people sang this song when their king returned to Jerusalem in victory. The king had inspired hope and joy in them. Their trust in God’s steadfast love was rekindled. What might inspire these words in you this week?
Prayer
O great King, we give you thanks for this day that you have made. Let us rejoice in your steadfast love. Amen.