Psalm 118
"This is the day that the LORD has made"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Read
What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole passage, in shortThe main points of the whole passage, in a few sentences.
Psalm 118 calls everyone to give thanks to the LORD, for his loving devotion endures forever. The singer was surrounded by enemies and pushed until he was falling, but the LORD helped him: "I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done." He comes to the temple gates and sings, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the day that the LORD has made." The crowds on Palm Sunday shouted words from this psalm.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 118
Before You Read
What it is. A song of victory and thanks. Someone who was surrounded, pushed, and nearly killed has been rescued by God. Now he marches up to the temple gates to give thanks.
Who wrote it. It doesn't say. It was sung at Passover, and may be the hymn Jesus and his disciples sang after the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30).
When the church sings it. On Palm Sunday and on Easter Day. The crowds on Palm Sunday shouted words from this psalm.
How to read it. Listen for the line that keeps repeating: "His loving devotion endures forever."
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. His Love Endures Forever | 118:1-4 | Everyone, give thanks |
| 2. The LORD Is on My Side | 118:5-14 | Surrounded, but rescued |
| 3. I Will Not Die | 118:15-21 | I will live and tell what God did |
| 4. The Rejected Stone | 118:22-29 | This is the day the LORD has made |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4His Love Endures Forever
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever" (118:1).
Israel, the priests, and everyone who fears God are called to say it together.
Section 2 of 4The LORD Is on My Side
"In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free" (118:5).
"The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (118:6).
"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man" (118:8).
Enemies surrounded him like a swarm of bees.
"I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me" (118:13).
"The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation" (118:14).
Section 3 of 4I Will Not Die
Shouts of joy fill the tents of God's people. "The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!" (118:15).
"I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done" (118:17).
He comes to the temple gates. "Open to me the gates of righteousness" (118:19).
Section 4 of 4The Rejected Stone
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (118:22).
The stone that seemed useless became the most important one in the building.
"This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes" (118:23).
"This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (118:24).
"O LORD, save us, we pray" (118:25). In Hebrew, "save us" is Hosanna.
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD" (118:26).
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever" (118:29).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "His loving devotion endures forever" (118:1) | God's faithful love never ends. |
| "The LORD is on my side" (118:6) | With God, I don't need to be afraid. |
| "My strength and my song" (118:14) | God gives power and joy. |
| "I will not die, but I will live" (118:17) | God rescued him from death. |
| "The stone the builders rejected" (118:22) | The one people threw away, God made most important. |
| "This is the day that the LORD has made" (118:24) | A day of God's rescue, worth celebrating. |
| "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD" (118:26) | A welcome for God's chosen one. |
Back Then
Pilgrims sang this psalm as they came up to the temple for the great festivals.
A cornerstone was the first and most important stone in a building. Everything else lined up with it.
On Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Mark 11:9).
Literal Reader Alert
Who is the rejected stone? Jesus said it was him (Matthew 21:42). Peter said so too (Acts 4:11).
Is "this is the day" about every day? It's often used that way. In the psalm, it means the day of God's great rescue. Christians sing it on Easter, the day of Jesus's resurrection.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The singer | Surrounded | Enemies swarmed like bees (118:12) |
| The singer | Unafraid | The LORD is on his side (118:6) |
| God's people | Joyful | This is the day the LORD has made (118:24) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What line is yours today? Tap one.
I'm surrounded by trouble
The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid.
I'm falling
I was pushed hard, but the LORD helped me.
I feel rejected
The rejected stone became the cornerstone.
I'm grateful
Give thanks. His love endures forever.
You Might Have Heard
"God only uses impressive people."
What's true: God gives gifts and strength.
What the passage is mainly about: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (118:22). God loves to choose what others throw away.
Where Jesus is: He is the rejected stone, crucified and raised. Easter is the day the LORD has made.
Good News
What people threw away, God raised up.
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes" (118:22-23).
Jesus was rejected and killed, and God raised him. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever. The rejected stone has become the cornerstone. This is the day the LORD has made!
Big Idea
Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Psalm 118 was Luther's favorite psalm. He wrote verse 17 on the wall of his room during a hard time: "I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done."
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 118 on Palm Sunday and Easter Day in all three years, and on the Second Sunday of Easter in Year C.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Easter Day: The Resurrection of Our Lord Year A · Year B · Year CPsalm, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
- Second Sunday of Easter Year CPsalm, Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 118, explained in plain words. A song of victory sung on Palm Sunday and Easter: the rejected stone has become the cornerstone. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-118/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church