I shall not die, but live.
I. THIS PSALM HAS BEEN WELL CALLED THE "HYMN Or DELIVERANCE FROM EXILE," as the song of Moses was the "Hymn of Deliverance from Egypt." It is such a Te Deum as was possible when as yet the gospel had not been revealed. The enemies of Israel had done their worst. They had compassed Israel "about like bees" (Psalms 118:10-12); they had "thrust sore at him," that he might fall (Psalms 118:13). But with this recollection, and with the consciousness of bitter enmity still existing, there is mingled the glad confidence, the buoyant hope, that their enemies shall be "quenched as the fire of thorns." "I shall not die, but live" (Psalms 118:14-17). The psalm pictures Israel keeping high festival, probably at the dedication of the new temple. The day itself was solemnly set apart (Psalms 118:24), and a joyous procession is seen advancing towards the sacred edifice. As it nears the entrance, the warders of the gates are summoned to open them (Psalms 118:19), that the people may go in to praise the Lord. "And then, as the throng passes within, the psalmist notes a circumstance which forms a leading feature in his poem. In building the new temple, some block of stone had been, at first, laid aside as useless, and then, on fuller consideration, it had been lifted up to fill one of the most important positions in the structure." The sacred poet fastens on this incident, and sees in it the striking suggestion of Israel's own history—a suggestion which our Lord himself takes up and applies to himself as being the most complete fulfillment of its prophecy. Israel had seemed useless, impossible of recovery, unfit altogether for the high purposes for which God had at first designed her. Carried off and apparently lost in the sweltering mob of nationalities in which she had been swallowed up, what good was she capable of? what useful part in the upbuilding of the kingdom of God could she serve? So all men thought, and with apparent abundant reason. But the festival which the psalm celebrates contradicted all that, and the stone, once rejected, but now filling so important a place in the new temple, was the type and prophecy of the high service which yet, and in spite of all past and present obstacles, Israel was called to render in the accomplishment of the good will of God to man. So that she could say, as here she does, "I shall not die, but," etc.
II. IT WAS ADOPTED BY OUR LORD FOR HIMSELF. Not alone the special part of the psalm (Psalms 118:22), which tells of the rejected but exalted stone (cf. Matthew 21:42), but the whole tone and spirit of the psalm. It looked, as the day of his death drew near, as if he were forever the "Rejected of men." But the words of our text were his conviction (cf. Luke 18:31-33). He, though humbled even to death, and that the death of the cross, yet should he conquer death and live for evermore (Romans 6:10; Revelation 1:18). The exile of Israel and their glad return were but shadows of the dark ness of the cross, and the glory of Easter Day.
III. IT HAS BEEN EVER TRUE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD. She has been plunged into deepest woe, and brought down to death.
1. By fierce persecution. Let the martyr ages tell.
2. By the growth and spread of false doctrine. The faith once delivered to the saints has been tampered with, perverted, so that its true character has been lost.
3. And worse still, moral corruption has once and again seized on her, and made her a thing of horror to all holy souls. But in each case it has been possible for the faithful remnant to lift up the exultant chant, "I snail not die," etc.
IV. IT IS THE WELL-WARRANTED HOPE AND CONFIDENCE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN SOUL.
1. Sometimes the text comes literally true. Life has all but gone; the powers of the body seemed incapable of recovery; but restoration has been given. Let such restored life be given up to the declaration of the works of the Lord.
2. In the hour of terrible temptation. How many a soul has been all but lost, but, grasping the hand of the Lord, has yet been saved!
3. At the hour of death. The body dies, but not we.—S.C.