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Psalm 118 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Many scholars believe that Psalm 118 was written during Moses’ day in the Exodus. If you compare this psalm to Exodus 15, there are remarkable similarities.
Psalms 118:14 NASB The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.
Exodus 15:2a NASB The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation;
Psalms 118:16 NASB The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
Exodus 15:6 NASB Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
Psalms 118:28 NASB You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I extol You.
Exodus 15:2b NASB This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.
Overall, this psalm contains heavy Messianic themes. It is one of the most quoted psalms in all the NT. Verses 22 and 23 are very familiar.
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
Psalms 118:22-23 NASB
Jesus *said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?
Matthew 21:42 NASB
The Matthew 21 reference above is actually spoken by Jesus during the parable of tenants. In a scathing accusation against the religious elite, Jesus reveals very clearly how they are the builders who rejected the chief cornerstone.
Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38 “But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance!’ 39 So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?”
Matthew 21:37-40 HCSB
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit. 44 Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whoever it falls, it will grind him to powder!”
Matthew 21:43-44 HCSB
There are only two responses to Christ. Either we are broken to repentance when we fall on Christ or we suffer the righteous judgment of God as the eternal weight of our sin will crush us to powder.