Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 118:17

"I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of Jehovah." — Psalms 118:17 (ASV)

I shall not die, but live — Evidently the psalmist had perceived that he would die, or he had felt that he was in imminent danger of dying. In this language, he seems, as in Psalm 118:13, to revisit the scenes referred to in the psalm. He lives them over again. He describes the feelings that he had then. He saw that he was in danger. His enemies were numerous around him, and sought his life.

But he then had the assurance that they would not be victorious, that they would not accomplish their object, that he would be protected, and that he would live to declare what God had done for him. He does not say how he had this assurance, but we may reasonably suppose that he had it, as Hezekiah did in similar circumstances (see Isaiah 38:5-8, Isaiah 38:21), by a direct divine intimation. Things like this are not uncommon now. For example, when in danger or sickness, the mind is often strongly impressed with the belief that there will be a restoration to health and safety. This belief then makes the mind calm and peaceful—and the very calmness of the mind in such circumstances contributes considerably to that result. Why should we hesitate to believe that such a faith and hope may come from the Lord? .

And declare the works of the Lord — Declare what he has done.