In Jewish history, there has been a legend...passed down, written, and spoke of for centuries...it is referred to as "The Legend of the Stone".
The story goes like this: In yesteryear, the Israelites were rebuilding the Temple...in Jerusalem. It was during the time of the prophet Nehemiah, roughly 444 B.C. Now, what happened was the cutters of stone were measuring precise stones to be used as the foundation of the Temple. A little over 100 years before this time the Empire of Babylon had attacked Israel, and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple...but now the Israelites had returned.
In the midst of the cutters of stone precise work, there happened to be a stone that was cut in the wrong shape and size. So, they discarded it, and replaced it with a stone of the exact dimensions needed.
Later, the moment came when they were to tie the main walls together. The need was to have a "cornerstone" that would serve as the foundation in order for this to take place...and guess what? The very stone that had been discarded because it was the wrong shape and size...was the exact stone needed to be the "chief cornerstone", and complete the entire building of the Temple itself.
And of course...this story was told...in reference to the Messiah the Jewish nation were watching and waiting for....and the "Chief Cornerstone" came...and He was rejected...and now...He has become our "Chief Cornerstone"!
Psalm 118 is the last chapter of a cycle of praises in this section of the Book of Psalms (113-118). In the first 4 verses of Psalm 118, the verses speak of giving praise and honor to the Lord. The Hebrew text is in an imperative tense...meaning it is a command form of expression.
In verses 5-9, it turns personal as the King himself expresses his gratefulness to the Lord and gives the reader a sense of hope.
Throughout this chapter there is a repetitive theme about the "Lord saving His people". The verses give a clear indication that we should allow time in our day to give thanks to Him...because of His faithfulness.
Psalm 118:24 is a popular verse because it tells us: "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Now, whether you might think each day has been made for us and we are to rejoice in what He provides, or whether you might be inclined to think of the day the "Chief Cornerstone" will set up His Kingdom here on earth and "tie things altogether",both thoughts are correct...for as Saint Paul later wrote in his letter to the Philippians..."Rejoice in the Lord, again I write, rejoice in the Lord...always!"
A Gleaning from 118: 21-25
"Thank You...so much!...so very much! For You have not only heard my prayers..but You have answered them...every one of them! You really are my Salvation...You really are my Redeemer!
It's just like the "Legend of the Stone!" The stone that the builders of the Temple rejected...and tossed aside...became the very Cornerstone of the Temple!
And that is so like You! You take those who have been rejected and tossed aside, and through Your Life and Power, become a central part of Your very Kingdom! It is almost "unreal" to believe You have done this...yet the fact remains...that was Your very plan...from the beginning!
Therefore my heart rejoices...for it is You that has caused this day to arrive...and our future is bright! The Day is surely coming...when You shall set up Your Kingdom...throughout the entire earth!
I am rejoicing..I am "going crazy" in both laughter and in joy! This is "all You!" I will be festive this day...for this day has been created..by You! You have created this day...for me!
You have come to us...You have saved us...You have prospered us...and You have blessed us. Now, our lives are full of blessings, full of purpose, and our lives are full!
Praise to You, my King!
The story goes like this: In yesteryear, the Israelites were rebuilding the Temple...in Jerusalem. It was during the time of the prophet Nehemiah, roughly 444 B.C. Now, what happened was the cutters of stone were measuring precise stones to be used as the foundation of the Temple. A little over 100 years before this time the Empire of Babylon had attacked Israel, and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple...but now the Israelites had returned.
Later, the moment came when they were to tie the main walls together. The need was to have a "cornerstone" that would serve as the foundation in order for this to take place...and guess what? The very stone that had been discarded because it was the wrong shape and size...was the exact stone needed to be the "chief cornerstone", and complete the entire building of the Temple itself.
And of course...this story was told...in reference to the Messiah the Jewish nation were watching and waiting for....and the "Chief Cornerstone" came...and He was rejected...and now...He has become our "Chief Cornerstone"!
Psalm 118 is the last chapter of a cycle of praises in this section of the Book of Psalms (113-118). In the first 4 verses of Psalm 118, the verses speak of giving praise and honor to the Lord. The Hebrew text is in an imperative tense...meaning it is a command form of expression.
In verses 5-9, it turns personal as the King himself expresses his gratefulness to the Lord and gives the reader a sense of hope.
Throughout this chapter there is a repetitive theme about the "Lord saving His people". The verses give a clear indication that we should allow time in our day to give thanks to Him...because of His faithfulness.
Psalm 118:24 is a popular verse because it tells us: "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Now, whether you might think each day has been made for us and we are to rejoice in what He provides, or whether you might be inclined to think of the day the "Chief Cornerstone" will set up His Kingdom here on earth and "tie things altogether",both thoughts are correct...for as Saint Paul later wrote in his letter to the Philippians..."Rejoice in the Lord, again I write, rejoice in the Lord...always!"
A Gleaning from 118: 21-25
"Thank You...so much!...so very much! For You have not only heard my prayers..but You have answered them...every one of them! You really are my Salvation...You really are my Redeemer!
It's just like the "Legend of the Stone!" The stone that the builders of the Temple rejected...and tossed aside...became the very Cornerstone of the Temple!
And that is so like You! You take those who have been rejected and tossed aside, and through Your Life and Power, become a central part of Your very Kingdom! It is almost "unreal" to believe You have done this...yet the fact remains...that was Your very plan...from the beginning!
Therefore my heart rejoices...for it is You that has caused this day to arrive...and our future is bright! The Day is surely coming...when You shall set up Your Kingdom...throughout the entire earth!
I am rejoicing..I am "going crazy" in both laughter and in joy! This is "all You!" I will be festive this day...for this day has been created..by You! You have created this day...for me!
You have come to us...You have saved us...You have prospered us...and You have blessed us. Now, our lives are full of blessings, full of purpose, and our lives are full!
Praise to You, my King!
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