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The Rejected Cornerstone Psalm 118
The Rejected Cornerstone Psalm 118
Two contrasting thoughts are contained in this Psalm. First is the steadfast love of God (vs. 1,2,3,4, 29). This is a wonderful word that was used almost 250 times in the Old Testament. It was translated in various ways: Mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, etc. The ESV mostly uses 'steadfast love'.
Vine's Expository Dictionary states: "In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness." In Jesus we see the full expression of such steadfast love. Paul wrote that "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
In spite of the failures of men, God is God. God is true to Himself and thus to His word. God had promised that through the seed of woman He would deliver men from the consequences of sin. It took thousands of years but at the proper time Jesus was born of a woman. (Compare Gal. 4:4 and Genesis 3:15). God is steadfast in His love.
This brings up the second thought: men rejected God's son. How could they do this? After all the prophecies of what the Messiah would be like, how could they miss it? First, they wanted God on THEIR terms. They readily believed the parts concerning the power, might, majesty and glory of the messiah but rejected the parts of him being the suffering servant. Like many they believed the parts they liked and rejected the parts they didn't. Second, they were wicked. Peter said 'you by wicked hands have slain…" (Acts 2:23). John wrote: "…this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil" (John 3:19). Third, they were ignorant. Paul said "…those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him" (Acts 13:27). Even though God had revealed His plan they didn't get it. Such was a willful ignorance for it was there to be understood. Thus the bottom line is they rejected God's chosen one.
Back to the first thought: in spite of such rejection God was faithful to His promise. "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (vs. 22-23). This is one of the most oft quoted prophecies of the Messiah (cp. Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7). They rejected Jesus but God raised Him from the dead, glorified Him with a name above every name, and made Him to be both Lord and Christ.
Thus the Psalm ends: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"
Hugh DeLong
