Psalms 118:23

Context

Psalm 118 is a powerful Hallel Psalm, traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals like Passover. It is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, celebrating God's enduring mercy and deliverance. Verse 23 follows immediately after verse 22, which states, "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." This crucial preceding verse provides the direct context for "This is the LORD'S doing," making the "doing" refer specifically to the miraculous exaltation of what was rejected or deemed insignificant by human standards.

Key Themes

• Divine Sovereignty and Intervention: The phrase "This is the LORD'S doing" unequivocally declares that the remarkable turn of events – particularly the exaltation of the rejected stone – is not by human design or chance, but solely by God's powerful hand. It highlights God's active involvement in history and individual lives.
• Awe and Wonder: The outcome is described as "marvellous in our eyes." This conveys a sense of astonishment and profound admiration for God's extraordinary works, which often defy human expectation or logic.
• Exaltation of the Humble/Rejected: In light of the preceding verse about the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone, this verse speaks to God's pattern of reversing human judgments and elevating those who are overlooked or despised. This theme finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who was rejected by many but became the cornerstone of salvation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "doing" here, nihyatah (נִהְיָתָה), implies something that has come into being or has been accomplished, emphasizing the completed action of God. The word for "marvellous," niphlath (נִפְלָאת), is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's miraculous, extraordinary, and incomprehensible works, similar to the "wonders" He performed in Egypt or at the Red Sea. It signifies something truly astonishing and beyond human capability.

Practical Application

Psalms 118:23 offers profound encouragement and a call to faith for believers today:

• Trust in God's Plan: It reminds us that even when our efforts fail or our hopes are dashed, God has a sovereign plan that can bring about the most unexpected and wonderful outcomes. What seems impossible to us is entirely possible and even intentional for Him.
• Acknowledge God's Hand: We are called to recognize and attribute extraordinary blessings, reversals, and deliverances in our lives and in the world to God's direct intervention, rather than to luck or human ingenuity.
• Cultivate Awe: This verse encourages a spirit of wonder and reverence for God's power and wisdom. It invites us to look for His "marvellous" work in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life, fostering a deeper appreciation for His character.

Ultimately, this verse is a declaration of faith in God's ability to do the impossible, turning what was rejected into something glorious and central, a truth beautifully exemplified in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ.