Psalm 118:27
New International Version
The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.

New Living Translation
The LORD is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.

English Standard Version
The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

King James Bible
God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

New King James Version
God is the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice to the horns of the altar with cords.

NASB 1995
The LORD is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

NASB 1977
The LORD is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

Amplified Bible
The LORD is God, and He has given us light [illuminating us with His grace and freedom and joy]. Bind the festival sacrifices with cords to the horns of the altar.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD is God and has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD is God and has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

American Standard Version
Jehovah is God, and he hath given us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD is our God, and he has given us light! Start the celebration! March with palm branches all the way to the altar.

English Revised Version
The LORD is God, and he hath given us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD is God, and he has given us light. March in a festival procession with branches to the horns of the altar.

Good News Translation
The LORD is God; he has been good to us. With branches in your hands, start the festival and march around the altar.

International Standard Version
The LORD is God—he will be our light! Bind the festival sacrifice with ropes to the horn at the altar.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

NET Bible
The LORD is God and he has delivered us. Tie the offering with ropes to the horns of the altar!

New Heart English Bible
The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

Webster's Bible Translation
God is the LORD, who hath shown us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

World English Bible
Yahweh is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
God [is] YHWH, and He gives light to us, "" Direct the festal-sacrifice with cords, "" To the horns of the altar.

Young's Literal Translation
God is Jehovah, and He giveth to us light, Direct ye the festal-sacrifice with cords, Unto the horns of the altar.

Smith's Literal Translation
God is Jehovah, and he will shine to us: make ye fast the festival with interweavings, even to the horns of the altar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord is God, and he hath shone upon us. Appoint a solemn day, with shady boughs, even to the horn of the alter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Lord is God, and he has enlightened us. Establish a solemn day amid a dense crowd, even to the horn of the altar.

New American Bible
The LORD is God and has enlightened us. Join in procession with leafy branches up to the horns of the altar.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O LORD, our God, enlighten us; bind our festival processions as an unbroken chain, even to the horns of the altar.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH, our God, shine to us and bind our holidays in chains unto the horns of the altar!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The LORD is God, and hath given us light; Order the festival procession with boughs, even unto the horns of the altar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
God is the Lord, and he has shined upon us: celebrate the feast with thick branches, binding the victims even to the horns of the altar.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good
26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. 27The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 28You are my God, and I will give You thanks. You are my God, and I will exalt You.…

Cross References
Exodus 13:21
And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night.

1 Kings 8:11
so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 5:14
so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

Isaiah 60:19-20
No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. / Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.

Zechariah 14:7
It will be a unique day known only to the LORD, without day or night; but when evening comes, there will be light.

John 1:4-5
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

Revelation 21:23
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Revelation 22:5
There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

Numbers 6:25
may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

2 Samuel 22:29
For You, O LORD, are my lamp; the LORD lights up my darkness.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Psalm 36:9
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.


Treasury of Scripture

God is the LORD, which has showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

God

1 Kings 18:21,39
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word…

shewed

Psalm 18:28
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 37:6
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Esther 8:16
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

bind

Psalm 51:18,19
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem…

1 Kings 8:63,64
And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD…

1 Chronicles 29:21
And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

the horns

Exodus 27:2
And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.

Exodus 38:2
And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.

Jump to Previous
Altar Bind Boughs Branches Cords Dance Direct Festal Festival Hand Holy Horns Join Light Order Ordered Procession Sacrifice Shewed Shine Shown
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Altar Bind Boughs Branches Cords Dance Direct Festal Festival Hand Holy Horns Join Light Order Ordered Procession Sacrifice Shewed Shine Shown
Psalm 118
1. An exhortation to praise God for his mercy
5. The psalmist by his experience shows how good it is to trust in God
19. Under the type of the psalmist the coming of Christ in his kingdom is expressed














The LORD is God
This phrase affirms the monotheistic foundation of the Israelite faith, declaring Yahweh as the one true God. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred tetragrammaton, which signifies God's eternal and self-existent nature. This declaration is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His unique identity as the covenant-keeping God of Israel. Historically, this affirmation would have been a powerful statement against the polytheistic cultures surrounding Israel, emphasizing the distinctiveness of their faith.

and has made His light shine upon us
The imagery of light is rich in biblical symbolism, often representing God's presence, guidance, and blessing. The Hebrew word for "light" is "אוֹר" (or), which can signify both physical and spiritual illumination. In the context of the psalm, this light is a metaphor for divine favor and revelation. The historical context may point to the celebration of God's deliverance and the joy of His salvation, as light dispels darkness and brings clarity and hope.

Bind the festival sacrifice with cords
This phrase refers to the act of preparing a sacrificial offering, a central element of Israelite worship. The Hebrew word for "bind" is "אָסַר" (asar), which implies securing or fastening. The "festival sacrifice" likely refers to offerings made during significant religious feasts, such as Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles. These sacrifices were acts of worship and thanksgiving, acknowledging God's provision and mercy. The use of cords suggests a careful and deliberate preparation, ensuring the sacrifice is presented properly.

to the horns of the altar
The "horns" of the altar were projections at each corner of the altar, symbolizing strength and power. In the Hebrew context, the altar was the focal point of sacrificial worship, representing atonement and reconciliation with God. The act of binding the sacrifice to the horns underscores the seriousness and sanctity of the offering. Historically, the altar and its horns were integral to the tabernacle and temple worship, serving as a place where God's people could seek forgiveness and express their devotion.

(27) Shewed us light . . .--Whether this is literal or figurative is difficult to decide. If literal, it may be a repetition of Psalm 118:24; or if there is a particular reference in this psalm to the Feast of Tabernacles, Mr. Burgess's suggestion, which connects the light with the pillar of cloud and fire, of which that feast was very probably specially commemorative, is most worthy of notice. Figuratively the words would, of course, mean "the light of salvation and hope," as so frequently in the Psalms. It is also possible there may be allusion to the priestly benediction (Numbers 6:25), where the verb is the same.

Bind the sacrifice . . .--This cannot well be, "tie the victim to the horns of the altar," for the Hebrew is "as far as to," and no satisfactory explanation is possible of binding animals as far as the altar, unless we are to translate "bind and lead." But the Hebrew word rendered victim might by derivation ("to go round") easily mean a circlet or crown, and by supplying the verb go we get bind on a crown, go with garlands even to the horns of the altar. The ancient versions, LXX., Vulg., Aquila, Symmachus, all point to this rendering.

Verse 27. - God is the Lord, which hath showed us light. Having received the priestly benediction, the processionists resume their strain. They have entered within the courts; they are approaching the altar of sacrifice; they have brought their offering. "Jehovah," they say, "is God, and hath given us light" (see the Revised Version). That is, he has enlightened our spirits to see and acknowledge his mercies; or, perhaps, he has led us, as he did the people, by a pillar of fire in the wilderness; and now we stand before the altar with our offering - receive it at our hands, ye priests-and bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. So shalt the act of thanksgiving be complete, and the solemn service ended. The fanciful exposition of Luther, lately revived by Professor Cheyne, will scarcely approve itself to critics generally.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is God
אֵ֤ל ׀ (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

and has made His light shine
וַיָּ֪אֶר (way·yā·’er)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary

upon us.
לָ֥נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

Bind
אִסְרוּ־ (’is·rū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle

the festival sacrifice
חַ֥ג (ḥaḡ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2282: A festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast

with cords
בַּעֲבֹתִ֑ים (ba·‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - common plural
Strong's 5688: Something intwined, a string, wreath, foliage

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the horns
קַ֝רְנ֗וֹת (qar·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

of the altar.
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar


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OT Poetry: Psalm 118:27 Yahweh is God and he has given (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 118:26
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