Psa 118:17-“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” Building on the assurance of the previous verse which stated “The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.”, the psalmist now assets with great confidence that “I shall not die, but live…”. Whether the psalmist is speaking of the enemies nearly killing him, or of some perplexity or sickness threatening his life, he now reached the premise that, surely by God’s mercy, that his time to depart this life is not now. Of this “I shall not die, but live…”, Albert Barnes purports-“… Evidently the psalmist had apprehended that he would die; or, he had felt that he was in imminent danger of dying. In this language he seems, as in Psa_118:13, to go back again to the scenes referred to in the psalm. He lives them over again. He describes the feelings which he had then. He saw that he was in danger. His enemies were thick round about him, and sought his life. But he had then the assurance that they would not be victorious; that they would not accomplish their object; that he would be protected; that he would live to declare what God had done for him. He does not say how he had this assurance, but there is no impropriety in supposing that he had it, as Hezekiah had in similar circumstances (see Isa_38:5-8, Isa_38:21), by a direct divine intimation. Things like this are not uncommon now, when, in danger or in sickness, the mind is strongly impressed with the belief that there will be a restoration to health and safety, and when the mind is made calm and peaceful by that belief - the very calmness of the mind under such a belief contributing not a little to that result. Why should we hesitate to believe that such a faith and hope may come from the Lord? Compare Act_27:22-25…”. Probably many of us at certain times in our lives have wondered if we would survive, overcome, and get through something that we were in the middle of. But these times allow us to come to know God in a way that we could never otherwise know Him. We learn of the “…sufficiency of grace…” (2 Cor. 12:9), His overwhelming “mercies…” (2 Cor. 1:3-4), His eternal love (Jer. 31:3), His work as our “…Comforter…” (Jn. 14:16,26), and His accompanying “…strength…” (Psa. 27:1). What an incomparable blessing to know that Jesus “…will never leave us, nor forsake us…” (Heb. 13:5). With the psalmist’s assurance that he “…would not die, but live…”, he then states with similar confidence “…and declare the works of the LORD.” He states similarly in Psa 22:22-“I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.” When we get personal victory over our emotions and fears, we can then continue, or begin, to serve the LORD confidently and share His great “…works…” to others. Of this witness, John Gill surmises-“… the wonderful appearances of God in a providential way, and all his marvellous works of grace; as David did, and as all the people of God more or less do; and which is the end of their living; not to eat and drink, and gratify their carnal senses, but to glorify God, by declaring what he has done for themselves and others. So the Messiah declared the name of God, his nature, perfections, mind and will, word and works, among his brethren in the great congregation…”. Let us also be quick to share what God has done for us, the times of darkness and uncertainty He has brought us through, and His endearing grace. Hallelujah!