Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 118:18

"Jehovah hath chastened me sore; But he hath not given me over unto death." — Psalms 118:18 (ASV)

The Lord hath chastened me sore - Hebrew, “The Lord has chastened - has chastened me.” See the notes at (Psalms 118:13). The psalmist had been greatly afflicted, and he now looked upon his affliction in the light of a fatherly chastisement or correction. It had been a severe trial, and he was not insensible to its severity, though he regarded it as designed for his own good.

But he hath not given me over unto death - He interposed when I was in danger; he rescued me when I was on the verge of the grave. This is the close of the psalmist’s statement in regard to the divine dealings with him. He had passed through great danger; he had been sorely afflicted; but he had been rescued and spared, and he came now to express his thanks to God for his recovery. In the following verse he addresses those who had the care of the sanctuary, and asks that he might be permitted to enter and offer his thanks to God.