The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:22-24, 29

Written 1,000 years before the birth of Christ (Note 1), this prophetic, inspired, and providential psalm is a remarkable telling of God’s sovereignty (Note 2). It describes a deliverer of the nation of Israel. And, we now know, of all mankind.

Early Christians found in the words of this Psalm a wonderful way of understanding the significance of Jesus. He was the rejected stone whom God made the cornerstone of a brand-new temple (Note 3).

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Note 1: Scholars hold varying views on the origins of Psalm 118 ranging from the time of Moses (1500 BC) to after the Babylonian exile (500 BC). However, timing is generally thought to be during the days of King David.

Note 2: Trivia buffs should know that Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the Bible. Its theme is central to God’s story.

Note 3: What a foundation you stand on now: the apostles and the prophets; and the cornerstone of the building is Jesus Christ himself! We who believe are carefully joined together with Christ as parts of a beautiful, constantly growing temple for God. (Ephesians 2:20-21 GNT)