Tutorial Paper on Psalm 118

Sociology
Tutorial paper on Psalm 118
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Sociology
1. A brief statement identifying my personal reaction to Psalm 118 on the first reading.
Psalm 118 contains spiritual sermons which help believers to strengthen their faith. On reading
Psalm 118 I have realized the theme of thanksgiving to God and the reliance on God rather than
relying on human beings.1 The issue is that reading Psalm 118 one can clearly understand how to
strengthen his relationship with God by offering thanksgiving. Basically, Psalm 118 has been of
much importance in my life; it has helped me on how to get out of my troubles in my life
whenever no other human being can be in the position to help me. In fact, when I read Psalm
118 I feel positive since I am in the position to depend on the Lord Who can control all my
activities and all that I experience in my life. Through the entire book, I am in the position to
appreciate the importance of thanksgiving.
There are some of the verses in Psalm 118 which have raised questions for me;
For example
118:1 "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is so good: because his mercy endureth forever."
The main question rising in this verse is how good is our GOD? Is God telling us to depend on
his powers and the mighty things he does to us as believers?
118:5 "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."
The entire verse raises the question of how God can He help me when am in danger? How God
answers my call and what can I do after He has answered my call as a believer? Should I offer
thanksgiving after the call or what am I supposed to do as a child of God?
2. My initial thoughts on key ideas in Psalm 118
1 Bellinger, Psalms: A Guide to Studying the Psalter,9.

Sociology
My initial thought on key ideas related to Psalm 118 was based on the first two verses.
118:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
118:2 Oh let Israel say,
"His loving kindness is everlasting."
From the two verses, Psalm 118 prepared me on appreciating the issue of thanksgiving in my
life. 2The entire idea portrayed by the verses in Psalm 118 revolves around the nature of God as
loving, kind and merciful. Verse 2 enabled me to appreciate the love and kindness as key ideas in
Psalm 1118.
In general, my thoughts on key ideas in Psalm 118 is that the book called all nations and
religious leaders to teach to all people on how to recognize and acknowledge the mercy of God.
In addition, I believe that psalmist is reminding us on how to recognize God as a source of
everything and how we should be thankful for His goodness He does to our lives. As one reads
the other verses he or she is in the position to understand key ideas on us as human beings we
have to offer and express gratitude to God by parsing Him throughout.
3. Notes on exegesis of Psalm 118
Basically, the entire Psalm 118 is centered on God. All the concepts outlined from the first verse
all the way to the last verse are related to God.3 The structure is described by using pronouns that
2 Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance, New Edition with Study Guide: Saying No to the
Culture of Now,23.
3 Dickens, "The importance of the Psalter at Turfan” 380.