When we have a great victory, whether it be a win for our school or city sports team, a victory in battle or the victorious end of a war, or the victory of our favored political candidate, we often break into song, and maybe even a little victory dance. Our psalm for this Easter week is a portion of a song of victory. This is a time of great rejoicing in the Church calendar, which our psalm addresses, along with being quoted several times in the New Testament, including by the Lord Jesus. Let’s look into this portion of Psalm 118.
Though there is no specific author listed for Psalm 118 in the Bible, many scholars believe that it was written by King David, possibly on the occasion of his coming to the throne, along with bringing the Tabernacle into the City of Jerusalem. David had been anointed to become the next king by the prophet Samuel when he was a young teen. Then following his victory over Goliath, his life was a whirlwind, primarily due to having to spend so many years fleeing the murderous intentions of King Saul. Now he is finally entering Jerusalem as the victorious king!
Does your life sometimes feel like it’s in a whirlwind, like your life is on some type of carnival ride, whipping around curves with ups and downs like a roller coaster, or spinning out of control like a Tilt-a-Whirl? When our life seems like an amusement park ride, spinning and racing every which way, sometimes seemingly out of control, we need to lean into God, and find His peace and strength, and He will give us victory, like He did with David.
Though David would have further challenges and troubles in his life, he praised the Lord that his time of running from Saul was over. He celebrated God’s deliverance, strength, and salvation, and declared to the world God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and ultimate victory. David knew that it was God who brought him to this day, and that He was the source of both his spiritual and physical strength (vs. 14).
The majority of people tend to be right-handed, and whether in sports or battle, or even in everyday tasks, they want their right hand to be strong and able to perform the tasks they need to. Though God Himself is neither right nor left-handed, in writing this psalm the author speaks of God’s right hand as being strong, heroic, and exalted (vs. 15-16). He has all the power and authority. This was shown most triumphantly on the Resurrection morning, when Jesus rose from the dead, and was victorious over Satan, sin, and death. Though momentarily it might have looked like Satan and death won, however, Jesus triumphed over death, and likewise all believers will, as well (vs. 17-18). Our hope is in Jesus Christ who did rise from the grave and gives eternal life to all who trust Him.
When David finally became king, he entered triumphantly through the city gates. Jesus, likewise, entered through the gates of heaven in triumph. We, as believers who have put our faith and trust in Him, can enter the gates of righteousness, representing our access to God’s presence (vs. 19-20). Through faith we have the righteousness of Jesus, and are able to come into the Lord’s presence.
As we continue in our psalm we read in verse 22 a prophetic reference to the Lord Jesus, who was rejected by men, but chosen by God as the foundation of salvation. When He told one of His last parables, that of the wicked vineyard workers, Jesus spoke of how He was rejected by the religious leaders, but became the Chief Cornerstone of the Church (Matthew 21:42). In his first sermon on the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter also references Jesus being the Cornerstone (Acts 4:11), along with in his first epistle (I Peter 2:7).
In ancient buildings certain unique stones, different from the regular blocks, were used at pivotal points in the structure. The cornerstone could set a foundation or anchor a wall. Just as a stone, different from all the rest, is the only one that will fit the need to hold up a wall or establish a firm foundation, only Jesus can restore our world. He may not fit the mold of what the world is looking for in a Savior, but He is the only Cornerstone. This is the Lord’s work. God’s redemptive plan, through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, is something marvelous in our eyes! (vs. 23).
As our portion of Scripture today draws to a close, we read how we rejoice in the day that the Lord has made (vs. 24). While this can refer to any day as a gift from God, it is often, and especially this particular week, pointing to the day of salvation and Christ’s resurrection, a cause for eternal rejoicing.
In closing, our psalm today reminds us to trust that God is in control in every situation, even when the circumstances in our life might seem dire. Most importantly we see in the psalm that we rejoice in the Lord Jesus, recognizing that He is the Cornerstone of faith, and celebrating in the salvation He provides.
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