Psalm 118:23
ESV
This is the Lord 's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
NIV
the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
NASB
This came about from the Lord; It is marvelous in our eyes.
CSB
This came from the Lord; it is wondrous in our sight.
NLT
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.
KJV
This is the Lord'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
NKJV
This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
What does Psalm 118:23 mean?
A cornerstone provides crucial support for an entire structure. Only the best and sturdiest were chosen for this purpose. In this passage, the psalmist notes that the world had rejected Israel (Psalm 118:10–13). Other nations treated them as if they were without value (Deuteronomy 7:7–8, 18–19; 2 Chronicles 36:17–21). But the Lord had chosen Israel as the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22) of His plan for mankind's salvation (Deuteronomy 7:6; John 4:22; Romans 9:5). Israel is rightly amazed at what God is doing.The New Testament applies this theme to explain the ministry of Jesus Christ (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10–11; Luke 20:17; 1 Peter 2:4–7). What the world and Israel's religious leaders discarded was used by God (Isaiah 28:16) to provide redemption (1 Corinthians 1:27; Ephesians 2:19–22). Ultimately, those who reject Jesus cannot harm Him; they will only ruin themselves (Matthew 21:44; Philippians 2:10–11).
Psalm 118:19–29 includes phrases used during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:8–9). References to gates, cornerstones, and salvation are themes repeated frequently in the Bible (John 10:9; Matthew 7:13–14; Titus 2:11; 1 Peter 2:6). Similar ideas about entering through gates to praise God are found in Psalm 24:7–10 and Psalm 26:6–8.
Psalm 118 appears to be a "call and response." The repeated phrases may have been spoken by a congregation after the prompts, read by a song leader. The psalmist begins with a declaration of God's loyal love and its expression by all of Israel. Next is a celebration of the Lord's rescue and the value of honoring Him. Despite Israel's many powerful neighbors, God preserved them through discipline and exile, not allowing the nation to die. What the world rejects has now become the key piece of God's plan for mankind.
