Psalms 118:22

KJV

The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

KJV (with Strong's)

The stone {H68} which the builders {H1129} refused {H3988} is become the head {H7218} stone of the corner {H6438}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The very rock that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!

Berean Standard Bible

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

American Standard Version

The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 118:22 proclaims a profound divine reversal: what human wisdom and authority deemed worthless or insignificant, God sovereignly elevates to a position of supreme importance and indispensable function. This verse, originally rooted in Israel's experience of miraculous deliverance and vindication, carries immense prophetic weight, foreshadowing the ultimate rejection and subsequent exaltation of God's chosen Messiah, who becomes the very foundation and unifying element of His redemptive plan for all humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 118 is the concluding psalm of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), a collection of psalms traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, most notably Passover. It functions as a psalm of corporate and individual thanksgiving, celebrating God's enduring covenantal love (`hesed`) and His powerful, unfailing deliverance of His people from various adversaries. The psalm opens with a universal call to praise God for His steadfast mercy (verses 1-4), then transitions into a personal testimony of the psalmist's deep distress and God's miraculous saving intervention (verses 5-18). Verses 19-21 express a fervent desire to enter the gates of righteousness to offer thanksgiving, setting the stage for the dramatic declaration of the rejected stone's exaltation in verse 22. The psalm culminates in a joyous acclamation, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (verse 26), and a final, triumphant call to praise. The strategic placement of verse 22 within this celebratory and vindicatory context underscores God's unexpected and triumphant overturning of human judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Hallel psalms were an integral part of Jewish liturgical worship, particularly during the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles). The imagery of "builders" and a "stone" would have resonated deeply with an ancient Israelite audience intimately familiar with construction practices in the ancient Near East. In this context, a "cornerstone" or "head stone of the corner" was absolutely critical for the stability, alignment, and overall integrity of a building. It could refer to the foundational stone laid at the corner, which set the precise angle and strength for the entire structure, or a capstone/keystone that locked an arch or the top of a wall, providing essential support. The "builders" likely represent those in positions of authority—whether political, religious, or societal—who held the power to decide what was valuable, essential, or suitable for their grand designs. Their "refusal" of the stone implies a deliberate misjudgment based on human criteria, perhaps seeing it as flawed, unsuitable, or simply unnecessary for their architectural vision. The psalm's original historical context may have referred to Israel itself, or a specific leader, who was seemingly insignificant, weak, or rejected by powerful nations or even internal factions, yet whom God miraculously preserved, vindicated, and elevated to a position of prominence.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent throughout Psalm 118 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Reversal and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's inherent ability to overturn human judgments and elevate the seemingly insignificant or rejected, asserting His ultimate control over history and human affairs. This theme is beautifully echoed in passages like [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7-8 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - Hannah's Prayer on God's Reversal") where God "raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap." Secondly, it speaks to **God's Vindication of the Oppressed**, showing that those who place their trust in the Lord, even when surrounded by overwhelming adversaries (as vividly described in [Psalms 118:10-14](/psalms/118-10-14 "Psalm 118:10-14 - Surrounded by Foes, Saved by God")), will ultimately experience His powerful salvation and deliverance. Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly from a Christian theological perspective, it carries profound **Messianic Prophecy**, foreshadowing the rejection of God's chosen Messiah by the religious authorities and His subsequent exaltation to the supreme position in God's redemptive plan, a theme explicitly taken up by Jesus Himself in [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Tenants and the Cornerstone") and by the apostles in their preaching.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stone (Hebrew, _ʼeben'_):** This word (H68) refers to a literal stone, but in biblical usage, it is a common and powerful metaphor for strength, foundation, or a person. Here, it signifies something tangible and essential for construction. Its rejection by the builders implies a judgment of worthlessness, unsuitability, or a perceived flaw by those responsible for the building project, despite its inherent potential or divine purpose.
* **Refused (Hebrew, _mâʼaç'_):** This verb (H3988) is a strong term indicating a deliberate and contemptuous dismissal. It means "to spurn," "to abhor," "to cast away," "to despise," or "to reject." It suggests not merely an oversight or a passive disregard, but an active, willful decision to deem the stone unfit, undesirable, or even contemptible. This highlights the stark contrast between human assessment and divine intention.
* **Head stone of the corner (Hebrew, _rôʼsh pinnâh'_):** This crucial phrase (H7218 for "head," H6438 for "corner") refers to the most important and foundational stone in a building. It can denote the chief cornerstone that establishes the alignment and stability of the entire structure, the capstone that completes and secures an arch, or, most commonly, the binding stone that joins two walls at a crucial corner, providing indispensable strength and integrity to the edifice. Its elevation to this position signifies supreme importance, indispensability, a position of honor, and ultimate authority within the architectural design.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The stone":** This refers to a specific, identifiable entity that, in the initial assessment of human evaluators, was deemed insignificant, unsuitable, or even an impediment. In its original context, it likely referred to Israel itself, or a specific leader within Israel, who, despite being marginalized, oppressed, or seemingly weak in the eyes of powerful nations or internal factions, was divinely preserved and destined for prominence.
* **"which the builders refused":** This clause emphatically highlights the human agency involved in the rejection. The "builders" represent human authority, wisdom, or power structures—those entrusted with the construction or shaping of society. Their "refusal" is a deliberate act of dismissal, a judgment that the stone does not fit their purposes or vision. This underscores the profound disconnect between human assessment and God's sovereign plan, emphasizing that human wisdom often fails to recognize divine value.
* **"is become the head stone of the corner":** This is the core declaration of divine reversal and exaltation. Despite the active and contemptuous human rejection, God intervenes with His sovereign power to elevate the "stone" to the most critical, honorable, and indispensable position in the entire structure. This radical transformation from rejected to indispensable signifies God's ultimate power to override human plans and to accomplish His purposes through unexpected means, establishing what was dismissed as the very foundation or culmination of His redemptive work.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 118:22 is profoundly rich in **Symbolism**, employing the concrete imagery of construction to convey deep theological truths. The "stone" symbolizes an entity or person—initially deemed insignificant or rejected by human authorities—yet chosen and ultimately exalted by God. The "builders" symbolize those in positions of power, influence, or religious authority who operate according to human wisdom, criteria, and worldly designs. The "head stone of the corner" symbolizes a position of supreme importance, authority, and indispensability, whether as a foundational element that dictates the entire structure's alignment or a unifying capstone that completes and secures it. The verse also employs powerful **Irony**: what the skilled and discerning "builders" considered worthless or unfit, the divine Architect declares essential and supreme. This ironic reversal underscores God's sovereignty and His consistent tendency to confound human expectations, demonstrating His power most profoundly through perceived weakness or rejection. The entire declaration functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for divine vindication, unexpected exaltation, and the triumph of God's purposes over human opposition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological significance of Psalms 118:22 lies in its powerful declaration of God's sovereign ability to reverse human judgments and to elevate the rejected to positions of supreme importance within His divine plan. This principle is deeply woven throughout biblical theology, demonstrating that God's ways are often contrary to human wisdom and that His power is perfected in weakness. It speaks to the theme of divine election and vindication, where God chooses and exalts those whom the world dismisses, thereby revealing His glory and confounding the proud. This verse serves as a foundational prophetic utterance, pointing forward to the ultimate "stone" whom God would set in place as the cornerstone of His eternal kingdom, a truth that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

* [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Lord Lays a Cornerstone in Zion")
* [Luke 20:17-18](/luke/20-17-18 "Luke 20:17-18 - Jesus Quotes the Cornerstone Prophecy")
* [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 118:22 offers profound encouragement and a vital reorientation of perspective for believers today. It reminds us that God's valuation of people and purposes often differs radically from the world's. If we have ever felt overlooked, rejected, or deemed insignificant by others—whether in personal relationships, professional pursuits, or ministry—this verse reassures us that our ultimate worth is not determined by fallible human opinion but by God's sovereign, loving gaze. It calls us to place our trust not in the approval of human "builders" or the prevailing wisdom of the age, but in the divine Architect who consistently elevates the humble and uses the unexpected to accomplish His greatest works. Furthermore, it challenges us to recognize and esteem those whom the world might dismiss, for they may be precisely the "stones" God intends to use in crucial ways within His unfolding kingdom. Ultimately, this verse directs our gaze to Christ, the ultimate rejected-yet-exalted stone, upon whom our entire faith, hope, and eternal security are built, inviting us to align our lives with His foundational truth and embrace His counter-cultural values.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you felt "rejected" or "refused" by others, and how can this verse offer you comfort and reorientation in light of God's perspective?**
* **How does the concept of God elevating the rejected challenge your own perceptions of success, value, and influence, both personally and within the church?**
* **What does it mean for Jesus to be the "head stone of the corner" in your personal faith, guiding your decisions and shaping your identity, and in the collective life and mission of the church?**

### FAQ
**What is the "head stone of the corner" and why is it significant in ancient construction?**

Answer: The "head stone of the corner" (Hebrew: `ro'sh pinnâh`) refers to the most crucial stone in ancient construction, signifying a position of supreme importance. Its exact function could vary: it might be the foundational cornerstone, laid first to determine the precise alignment and stability of the entire building; or it could be the capstone or keystone, which binds an arch together, supporting the weight above and completing the structure. Most commonly, it refers to the binding stone that joins two walls at a crucial corner, providing essential strength, precision, and integrity for the building's overall structure. Its significance lies in its indispensability: without it, the structure cannot stand or be properly aligned. Its elevation in Psalms 118:22, from a state of rejection, signifies a dramatic reversal to a position of ultimate importance, authority, and honor.

**Who are the "builders" mentioned in this verse, and what does their refusal imply?**

Answer: The "builders" represent those in positions of authority, wisdom, or influence who are responsible for discerning what is valuable and essential for a grand design or societal structure. In the original context of Psalm 118, they could refer to the powerful nations surrounding Israel, or to internal religious and political leaders who might have dismissed or oppressed a particular individual (like the psalmist or a specific leader) or even the nation of Israel itself. Their "refusal" implies a deliberate act of dismissal, a judgment that the stone was unsuitable or unnecessary for their purposes. From a New Testament perspective, as interpreted by Jesus and the apostles, the "builders" clearly refer to the Jewish religious authorities of their day who rejected Jesus as the Messiah, despite His divine claims and miraculous works. This interpretation is explicitly seen in [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Tenants and the Cornerstone") and [Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Peter's Sermon on Jesus as the Rejected Stone"), where Peter identifies Jesus as "the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 118:22 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "stone" whom the "builders"—primarily the religious and political authorities of His day—rejected, despised, and ultimately crucified. Despite their refusal and His ignominious death on the cross, God sovereignly exalted Him, raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His own right hand, thereby making Him the "head stone of the corner." This divine reversal is explicitly affirmed by Jesus Himself, who quotes this very psalm in His parable of the wicked tenants, declaring, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" ([Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Tenants and the Cornerstone") and [Mark 12:10-11](/mark/12-10-11 "Mark 12:10-11 - Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Tenants")). The apostles, particularly Peter, consistently applied this prophecy to Christ in their early preaching, boldly declaring Him to be the rejected stone who became the cornerstone of salvation, as powerfully articulated in his sermon before the Sanhedrin in [Acts 4:10-12](/acts/4-10-12 "Acts 4:10-12 - Peter's Bold Proclamation of Jesus as the Cornerstone"), where he states there is "no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Paul further develops this rich theology, identifying Christ as the chief cornerstone upon whom the entire church, God's spiritual temple, is built, with believers as living stones being built into a holy dwelling place for God ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone")). Thus, Jesus, once rejected and despised by human authorities, now stands as the indispensable foundation, the unifying element, and the ultimate authority of God's redemptive work, the very "stone" upon which all true faith, eternal life, and the entire edifice of God's kingdom are immutably established.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 20:17

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Matthew 21:42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Acts 4:11

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

1 Peter 2:4

¶ To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

1 Peter 2:8

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Mark 12:10

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

Mark 12:11

This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?