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Psalm 118:22-23

Hebrew Key Terms:

  • H0068 אֶבֶן (eben) - stone
  • H1129 בָּנָה (banah) - to build, builders
  • H3988 מָאַס (ma'as) - to reject, refuse, despise
  • H7218 רֹאשׁ (rosh) - head, chief
  • H6438 פִּנָּה (pinnah) - corner, cornerstone
  • H6381 פָּלָא (pala') - to be marvelous, wonderful

Context: Psalm 118 is a thanksgiving hymn celebrating God's deliverance and steadfast love. It was likely used in temple liturgy, possibly at the Feast of Tabernacles or a royal coronation/victory celebration. The psalm moves from thanksgiving for deliverance (vv. 1-18), through a procession to the temple gates (vv. 19-27), to final praise (vv. 28-29). Verses 22-23 form the theological climax: the one who was rejected has become the cornerstone. The passive voice ("has become") indicates God's sovereign reversal—what seems like defeat is actually divine victory.

OT-to-OT Development:

  • 1 Samuel 16:6-13 - David, the youngest and least likely, is chosen and anointed as king over his older brothers
  • 2 Samuel 7:8-16 - David's son will build God's house; God will establish David's throne forever
  • Psalm 89:19-29 - God exalts one chosen from the people; his throne will be established forever
  • Isaiah 28:16 - Yahweh lays a tested stone, a precious cornerstone in Zion; whoever believes will not be shaken
  • Zechariah 3:9; 4:7 - The stone with seven eyes; the capstone/headstone brought out with shouts of "Grace, grace!"

Connections:

Christological Connection: Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone. Religious leaders (the "builders") rejected Him, culminating in His crucifixion. But God reversed their verdict through resurrection and exaltation, making Christ the cornerstone of the new temple—the church. Jesus explicitly claimed this psalm (Matthew 21:42-44), and the apostles proclaimed it as central to the gospel (Acts 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:6-7). The pattern of rejection-then-exaltation defines Christ's path to glory: despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3), yet exalted to the highest place (Philippians 2:9-11). Those who stumble over this stone will be broken, but those who build on it will never be shaken (Matthew 21:44; 1 Peter 2:6). This is "marvelous in our eyes"—the wisdom of God that confounds the wise.

Link to Trajectory: Stone and Cornerstone (Rejected Foundation) Trajectory Table

Connection Method(s): Typology (Direct, Forward-Looking); Promise-Fulfillment — The rejected stone becoming the cornerstone is a forward-looking prophetic type that Jesus explicitly claims (Matt 21:42) and the apostles proclaim (Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7), fulfilled in Christ's rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection-vindication by God.

Trajectory Table: 154 - Stone and Cornerstone (Rejected Foundation)

Linked Mentions 1
Trajectory Tables 1