Psalms

Psalms 118: God raises the rejected stone

Begin in prayer

Before we hear of the stone the builders rejected, let us consider whose help we trust and whose authority we resist. Ask God to lead us to Jesus and give us thankful joy in His saving work.

Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace, to it!’”

Zechariah 4:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the good Lord answers distress with salvation and makes the rejected stone the cornerstone. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Israel, Aaron's house and those who fear the Lord are called to thank Him for His lasting loving kindness. The singer called from distress and found God's help better than trust in people or princes. Nations surrounded him, yet he cut them off in the Lord's name, and His powerful right hand brought rejoicing to righteous homes. God punished him severely without giving him to death, so he will live to declare God's works and enter the gates of righteousness with thanks. The builders' rejected stone has become the cornerstone by God's marvellous doing, making this a day for gladness. Prayers ask salvation and prosperity, while blessing welcomes the one who comes in the Lord's name. God has given light, and the people are told to bind the sacrifice at the altar and thank Him for His lasting kindness.

As you read Psalms 118, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The good LORD answers distress with salvation and makes the rejected stone the cornerstone, giving His people thankful joy.

The repeated confession of lasting kindness gives the whole people words to share before the singer tells his rescue. God's answer from distress makes His presence a better refuge than the favour of people or princes. Surrounding enemies were real, and their destruction in His name led to songs of His valiant right hand in the righteous households. The singer also names God's severe punishment, recognising His hand in trouble that stopped short of death. Entrance through the gates belongs to the righteous and leads to personal thanks for the God who has become his salvation. The rejected stone's new place pictures a reversal only the Lord could accomplish, giving the people a day of rejoicing. In Matthew 21 verse 42, Jesus quotes the stone and the Lord's doing after speaking of the tenants who killed the owner's son. The closing plea still asks salvation and prosperity, joining received help to continued dependence. Blessing from God's house and His given light lead to the command to bind the sacrifice, bringing dependence into thankful worship.

How does Psalm 118 show us that the good LORD answers distress with salvation and makes the rejected stone the cornerstone, giving His people thankful joy?

God's lasting kindness gives His people a refuge stronger than human power.

The singer called from distress and received freedom. People and princes cannot give the help the Lord provides. The surrounding nations fell in His name, and righteous homes answered with songs of His strength.

God's rescuing hand gives a corrected life reason to enter with thanks.

The enemy pushed hard, yet the Lord helped. His severe punishment did not hand the singer over to death. The life spared will declare His works and enter the righteous gate to give thanks.

God makes the rejected stone the cornerstone and gives His people joyful worship.

The builders rejected the stone that now holds the place of honour. The Lord did this, giving the people reason to rejoice and ask again for salvation. Blessing welcomes the one who comes in His name. His given light leads to the command to bind the sacrifice.

Memorise

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:22-23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I resisting the Lord Jesus while asking Him to help me?

The people sing, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” God's doing turns rejection into a place of honour. The rescued people rejoice and still cry out for salvation.

We have also rejected God's rule and deserve His judgment. The rejected Jesus died in His people's place, answering their rebellion under God's righteous judgment. He rose from the grave, the rejected Saviour vindicated by the Father. His completed sacrifice is enough for their forgiveness and righteous acceptance, providing the salvation their own strength could never obtain.

Turn from your rebellion and trust Jesus Christ. Every sinner who takes refuge in Him is forgiven. Ask Him to make His authority precious to you and His saving works the subject of your thanks. The risen Christ remains the cornerstone of His trusting people's hope, sustaining their joy and dependence through every trouble still to come.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the good Lord answers distress with salvation and makes the rejected stone the cornerstone. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His saving help and the risen cornerstone, and ask for refuge, obedient faith and thankful joy. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”

John 12:13

Good and faithful Lord, thank You for the kindness that endures forever and the Son whom You raised from rejection to glory. Please forgive our rebellion and bring us to Jesus for the pardon His completed sacrifice secures. Help Your people through distress, teach us to receive correction and give us voices ready to declare Your works. Make our worship thankful and our trust steadfast. Amen.