Psalm 118 Commentary
This psalm should be famous for its messianic content, but its fame comes from something else. You easily understand why credible bible scholars insist on context and more context!
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Verse 24.
We often (almost always) quote this psalm to motivate ourselves into believing that every day can be special with this declaration. After all, the Creator God created a beautiful world!
That’s how we rob scripture of its power!
The reason for the festivities is plain, but who cares to read scripture within context!
“The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone.” Verse 22. It’s this event that explains the festivities. And the LORD God is behind it all!
The birth of a child could be the reason for joy in the family. The infant makes the day possible. Read the passage again and see how the LORD God makes this day for joy and gladness!
So what’s the occasion? It’s the elevation of a stone that the builders rejected as the chief cornerstone. It’s this event, and everything around it, which becomes the reason for joy and gladness!
Isaiah celebrates this event in this way: “You have multiplied the nation, and increased its joy; they rejoice before You.” Because “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, …” Isaiah 9, verses 3 and 6.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10
We cannot think of joy and gladness without this event. An attempt to do so is a chase after the wind, resulting in emptiness, nothingness, and more meaninglessness.
A day can never be great because mortals declare it so. Not even when they use “good” words from scripture. We shouldn’t diminish the importance of what the LORD God has done by shifting focus to empty declarations.
But some humans got it right! “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9. It’s the triumphal entry when the LORD Jesus entered Jerusalem, “Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Of course, they knew who made this day possible, and they praised Him.
This psalm makes a couple of bold declarations: “He is good” and “His mercy endures forever”. Verse 1.
It’s an invitation to mortals to examine these facts for themselves. Construct your own lab and examine these claims.
You won’t have to research deeply before you come to the conclusion that, indeed, “This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
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