Faith Daily Lectio Saturday, October 17, 2026 Evening Psalm
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · Saturday in the week of the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23); Ignatius of Antioch, Pastor and Martyr
Evening Psalm
Oratio (prayer)
Lord God, Your mercy endures for ever. As this evening comes, send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 118, that I may give thanks for this day and see in it the work of Your hand in Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Psalm 118
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:14)
What other lines speak to you?
The Law "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man" (v. 8), and yet we lean on people, plans and our own strength. The Psalm also says, "The LORD hath chastened me sore" (v. 18). We are among the builders who refused the stone, setting aside the very One God chose.
The Gospel "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner" (v. 22). Jesus speaks these words of Himself (Matthew 21:42). He was rejected and crucified, and God raised Him to be the cornerstone of His Church. Because He lives, you can say with the Psalm, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD" (v. 17). In Baptism He has made you His own, and His mercy toward you endures for ever.
Prayer Lord Jesus, I confess that I have put confidence in man and set You aside. Forgive me. Thank You for being the stone the builders refused, who died and rose for me. Be the head stone of my life tonight and always. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
This Psalm knows trouble. "All nations compassed me about" (v. 10), and "Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me" (v. 13). By evening we may feel pressed on every side. The Psalm does not pretend otherwise. It turns to the One who helps: "The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation" (v. 14). Under trial it may help to pray these lines slowly and to remember that the day, with all it held, was still "the day which the LORD hath made" (v. 24).
Evening prayer Heavenly Father, when I am pressed on every side, be my strength and my song. Thank You for the mercies of this day. Forgive what I have done wrong, keep me safe through the night, and raise me up in the morning to declare Your works. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
