This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day {H3117} which the LORD {H3068} hath made {H6213}; we will rejoice {H1523} and be glad {H8055} in it.

This is the day ADONAI has made, a day for us to rejoice and be glad.

This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 (KJV) declares a profound truth about God's sovereignty over time and His call for His people to respond with joy. This verse, often quoted and beloved, serves as a powerful reminder of divine providence and the appropriate human response of gladness.

Context of Psalm 118

Psalm 118 is part of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during significant Jewish festivals like Passover, Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), and Hanukkah. It is a psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's enduring love, deliverance, and faithfulness to His people. The broader context speaks of national deliverance from enemies, the enduring mercy of the Lord, and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. Notably, the preceding verses, Psalm 118:22-23, speak of "the stone which the builders rejected" becoming "the head of the corner," a passage famously applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament (Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: The opening phrase, "This is the day which the LORD hath made," unequivocally asserts God's ultimate control over all of creation and time. Every day is not a random occurrence but a divinely appointed gift, fashioned and orchestrated by the Almighty. This highlights God's active involvement in human history and individual lives.
  • A Call to Rejoice: Following the declaration of God's making the day, the psalmist issues a joyful command: "we will rejoice and be glad in it." This isn't a passive observation but an active decision to embrace and celebrate the day, recognizing its divine origin and purpose. It's a testament to finding joy regardless of circumstances, rooted in God's presence and provision.
  • Messianic Significance: While applicable to any day of God's blessing, Christian tradition often interprets "this day" with profound messianic meaning, particularly referring to the day of Christ's resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week (John 20:1) marked a new era of salvation and triumph over death, making it the ultimate "day which the LORD hath made" for believers to rejoice in.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "day" is yom (יוֹם), which can refer to a literal 24-hour period, a period of time, or a significant event. Here, it carries the weight of a divinely appointed and significant occasion. The verb "hath made" comes from asah (עָשָׂה), meaning to make, do, create, or appoint. It emphasizes God's deliberate and purposeful action in bringing this day into existence. The terms for "rejoice" (gil or yagil) and "be glad" (samach or simchah) convey deep, exultant joy and delight, not just fleeting happiness.

Practical Application

Psalm 118:24 offers a powerful daily reminder for believers:

  • Embrace Each Day: Every morning is an opportunity to acknowledge God's faithfulness and provision. Regardless of the challenges or uncertainties, each day is a gift from the Lord, meant to be lived with purpose and gratitude.
  • Cultivate Gratitude: This verse encourages an attitude of thanksgiving for the simple fact of existence and the opportunities each new day brings. It shifts focus from what might be wrong to what God has provided.
  • Choose Joy: The command "we will rejoice and be glad in it" is an act of the will. It's a decision to find joy in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when circumstances are difficult. This joy is not dependent on external factors but on the internal reality of God's presence and control. As Philippians 4:4 states, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

In essence, Psalm 118:24 is an invitation to live with intentional joy and profound gratitude, recognizing that every moment is orchestrated by a loving and sovereign God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Psalms 84:10

    For a day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
  • Isaiah 58:13

    ¶ If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:
  • Nehemiah 8:10

    Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for [this] day [is] holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
  • 1 Kings 8:66

    On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:26

    And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:28

    And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.
  • Revelation 1:10

    I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

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