Psalm 118 – The Chief Cornerstone
(by Li Sze Chow)
Psalm 118 praises God for His great mercy and deliverance for Israel and His people. It was sung at the founding of the second temple in Ezra 3. It was also sung at the Passover meal on the night before Jesus was betrayed. Psalm 118 begins and ends with calling us to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His love endures forever.”
Verses 5 to 9 are a testimony to His enduring mercy in answering the cry of the psalmist who was hard-pressed. Indeed, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord” instead of trusting men and princes. The Lord is with us, we will not be afraid. He will lift us to a spacious place, to be set free from our troubles.
Verses 10 to 14 proclaim the protection of God when being surrounded by enemies from every side. “But in the name of the Lord, I cut them down.” (v 10-11). Next, in verses 15-18, the psalmist shouts for joy in the victory of the mighty hands of God for deliverance from death.
It is incredibly profound that Psalm 118 was sung in the last hours before the crucifixion. The disciples did not know what was about to happen, but Jesus knew that He is “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (v 22). Although Jesus knew that He was about to suffer the excruciating death on the cross, yet He sung “the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (v 23) because there is a greater plan behind the crucifixion.
Let’s Read Psalm 118
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say:
“His love endures forever.”
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The LORD has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 LORD, save us!
LORD, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let’s Pray
O Heavenly Father, we give thanks to You for You are good and Your love endures forever. Thank You for giving Your son Jesus Christ as our Chief Cornerstone. Thank You for the salvation given to us, that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
About the Heavenly Devotion channel
The Heavenly Devotion channel is dedicated to encouraging you to listen to Bible Scriptures and pray with the Scriptures. They are inspired by the call of service as expressed and exemplified by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12 NKJV)
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