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    Thanksgiving
    Triumphant, grateful

    Psalm 118: The Stone the Builders Rejected

    Best for: Easter, daily thanksgiving, Passover

    Psalm 118 summary

    Psalm 118 ("The Stone the Builders Rejected") is a thanksgiving psalm best read for easter, daily thanksgiving, passover. Psalm 118 is the climax of the Hallel, sung at Passover and quoted by Jesus. It opens and closes with 'O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good.' The psalmist was pushed hard but God helped him.

    Overview

    Psalm 118 is the climax of the Hallel, sung at Passover and quoted by Jesus. It opens and closes with 'O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good.' The psalmist was pushed hard but God helped him. He enters God's gates with thanksgiving and declares 'this is the day which the LORD hath made.' The stone the builders rejected has become the head stone of the corner — a prophecy of Christ.

    Key Verses

    "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
    — Psalm 118:22 (KJV)
    "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
    — Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

    Key Themes

    Thanksgiving →
    The Rejected Stone
    This Day
    Christ

    Reflection

    Jesus is the rejected stone that became the cornerstone. What the world discards, God builds upon. And every day — even this one — is a day the Lord has made. Choose to rejoice in it.

    Historical Context

    The climax of the Hallel collection, sung at Passover, Tabernacles, and Hanukkah. Jesus quoted verse 22 ('The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone') about Himself. The crowds shouted verse 26 ('Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord') at His triumphal entry.

    How to Apply This Today

    You may feel rejected by people, institutions, or systems—but God specializes in making rejected stones into cornerstones. Your rejection may be your qualification. What others discarded, God is positioning as the foundation of something new.

    🙏 A Prayer from Psalm 118

    Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Amen.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Psalm 118 about?

    Psalm 118 is the climax of the Hallel, sung at Passover and quoted by Jesus. It opens and closes with 'O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good.' The psalmist was pushed hard but God helped him. He enters God's gates with thanksgiving and declares 'this is the day which the LORD hath made.' The stone the builders rejected has become the head stone of the corner — a prophecy of Christ.

    What does Psalm 118 teach us?

    Jesus is the rejected stone that became the cornerstone. What the world discards, God builds upon. And every day — even this one — is a day the Lord has made. Choose to rejoice in it.

    What are the key themes of Psalm 118?

    The key themes of Psalm 118 include: Thanksgiving, The Rejected Stone, This Day, Christ.

    When should I read Psalm 118?

    Psalm 118 is especially meaningful for: Easter, daily thanksgiving, Passover. The overall mood is triumphant, grateful.

    How can I apply Psalm 118 to my life?

    You may feel rejected by people, institutions, or systems—but God specializes in making rejected stones into cornerstones. Your rejection may be your qualification. What others discarded, God is positioning as the foundation of something new.

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