This shortest of the psalms is not a fragment, though some MSS. attach it to the preceding and some to the following psalm. It contains large "riches in a narrow room," and its very brevity gives force to it. Paul laid his finger on its special significance, when he quoted it in proof that God meant His salvation to be for the whole race. Jewish narrowness was an after-growth and a corruption. The historical limitations of God's manifestation to a special nation were means to its universal diffusion. The fire was gathered in a grate, that it might warm the whole house. All men have a share in what God does for Israel. His grace was intended to fructify through it to all. The consciousness of being the special recipients of Jehovah's mercy was saved from abuse, by being united with the consciousness of being endowed with blessing that they might diffuse blessing. Nor is the psalmist's thought of what Israel's experience proclaimed concerning God's character less noteworthy. As often, lovingkindness is united with troth or faithfulness as twin stars which shine out in all God's dealings with His people. That lovingkindness is "mighty over us"--the word used for _being mighty_ has the sense of _prevailing_, and so "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." The permanence of the Divine Lovingkindness is guaranteed by God's Troth, by which the fulfilment of every promise and the prolongation of every mercy are sealed to men. These two fair messengers have appeared in yet fairer form than the psalmist knew, and the world has to praise Jehovah for a world-wide gift, first bestowed on and rejected by a degenerate Israel, which thought that it owned the inheritance, and so lost it. PSALM CXVIII. 1 Give thanks to Jehovah, for He is good, For His lovingkindness endures for ever. 2 O let Israel say, That His lovingkindness endures for ever. 3 O let the house of Aaron say, That His lovingkindness endures for ever. 4 O let those who fear Jah say, That His lovingkindness endures for ever. 5 Out of the strait place I called on Jah, Jah answered me [by bringing me out] into an open place. 6 Jehovah is for me, I will not fear, What can man do to me? 7 Jehovah is for me, as my helper, And I shall gaze on my haters. 8 Better is it to take refuge in Jehovah Than to trust in man. 9 Better is it to take refuge in Jehovah Than to trust in princes.