Psalms 118King James Version
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
The grand processional psalm closing the Egyptian Hallel. Give thanks: his mercy endures forever. All nations compassed about like bees; in the name of the LORD they were cut off. The LORD is my strength and song, my salvation. The stone the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD.
The rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone is the pattern of divine action: what the builders assessed as worthless, God uses as the foundation of everything.
verse: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." Jesus quotes this directly in the Synoptics; Peter quotes it in Acts 4:11; Paul alludes to it in Romans 9:33. The most-used messianic building image in the NT.
No superscription. Closes the Egyptian Hallel (113-118). The processional character (entering the gates of righteousness in v19-20) suggests use at the temple entrance on Passover. The alternating voices (individual and congregation) in vv2-4 suggest antiphonal performance. Jesus and his disciples sang this as the last song of the Last Supper.
The psalmist as the central voice; Israel, Aaron, and those who fear God as the congregations responding; the nations who compassed about; God as strength and song and salvation; the builders who refused the stone.
Psalm 118 is the last of the Egyptian Hallel and is among the most NT-saturated psalms. Jesus quotes v22-23 (stone and cornerstone) in all three Synoptics. The 'Hosanna' shouts of Palm Sunday (Matt 21:9) come from v25-26. 'This is the day the LORD hath made' became one of the most universally used worship phrases. Jesus sang this psalm at the Last Supper.
For when rejection has been the defining experience and you need to see the other side of that story. The rejected stone is the psalm's central image: what was refused becomes the foundation.
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.