What does "This is from the LORD" in Psalm 118:23 imply about divine intervention in human affairs? Literary Context Within Psalm 118 Psalm 118 is the climactic hymn of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalm 113–118), sung during Passover. Verses 22–24 form a poetic unit: the rejected stone (v. 22) becomes the cornerstone through Yahweh’s direct action (v. 23), calling all Israel to rejoice in the “day” the LORD has made (v. 24). The statement “This is from the LORD” declares that the astonishing reversal is neither accidental nor merely human but the deliberate work of the covenant God who repeatedly saves His people (cf. vv. 5–18). Historical Setting And Liturgical Use Jewish tradition linked Psalm 118 with national deliverances such as the return from exile (Ezra 3:10–11). Second-Temple pilgrims sang it on entering the Temple (Matthew 21:9). By Jesus’ day it was a Messianic hope-song; the crowds quoted v. 26 at the Triumphal Entry. Thus “from the LORD” conveyed Yahweh’s ongoing readiness to step into history, vindicate His chosen, and overturn hostile verdicts. Theological Theme: Divine Sovereignty And Providence Scripture uniformly presents God as both transcendent Creator (Genesis 1) and immanent sustainer (Colossians 1:17). Psalm 118:23 places every redemptive reversal under that sovereignty. Human scheming (“builders”) fails; Yahweh unilaterally elevates the rejected. The verse mirrors Joseph’s confession: “You meant evil… but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20), underscoring a pattern of providential overruling that threads through redemptive history. Divine Intervention In Redemptive History 1. Exodus: Yahweh’s plagues—“wonders” (Exodus 3:20)—liberate Israel. 2. Conquest: the fall of Jericho hinges on supernatural timing (Joshua 6). 3. Monarchy: David’s unlikely rise (1 Samuel 16–2 Sam 7) anticipates the “stone” motif. 4. Exile & Return: Cyrus’s decree (Isaiah 44:28; Ezra 1:1) is explicitly attributed to the LORD. Each episode echoes “This is from the LORD,” culminating in the resurrection of Christ, Yahweh’s definitive interruption of natural processes (Acts 2:24). Messianic Fulfillment: Jesus Christ As The Rejected Stone Jesus cites Psalm 118:22-23 in three Gospel passages (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17) after the parable of the vineyard, applying it to His own rejection and resurrection. Peter reiterates the verse before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:11) and in his epistle (1 Peter 2:7). The New Testament therefore treats Psalm 118:23 as prophetic of the central divine intervention in human affairs—the raising of Messiah—which secures salvation (Romans 10:9). The empty tomb, attested by multiple early sources (1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Matthew 28; Mark 16) within decades of the event, functions as empirical confirmation of Yahweh’s act described in the psalm. Apostolic Interpretation And Early Church Witness Early creedal fragments (e.g., Philippians 2:6-11) mirror the rejected-exalted pattern. Church Fathers such as Justin Martyr (Dial. 118) referenced Psalm 118 to defend Christ’s resurrection against pagan skepticism, anchoring apologetics in Scriptural prophecy—exactly the pattern of Acts 17:2-3. Contemporary Testimonies Of Providential Deliverance Documented modern healings—such as the medically verified recovery of Barbara Snyder from terminal multiple sclerosis (documented by physicians at Mayo Clinic, 1981)—mirror the “marvelous” character of Psalm 118:23. These citations reinforce that divine intervention did not cease with the biblical era. Archaeological Corroboration • The “Pilgrim’s Road” and Southern Steps excavation in Jerusalem exposes the actual ascent route used by Passover worshipers singing Psalm 118, rooting the text in verifiable geography. • The Isaiah Bulla (sealed clay impression, 7th century BC) attests to the same era of literary production that produced the Psalter, undermining claims of late authorship. Practical Application: Worship, Gratitude, And Evangelism Believers emulate the psalmist by: 1. Publicly acknowledging God’s hand in personal and national deliverance. 2. Inviting skeptics to examine the historical-documentary case for the resurrection, the paramount “marvelous” work of the LORD. 3. Living missional lives that declare, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever” (Psalm 118:29). Summary “This is from the LORD” in Psalm 118:23 asserts that dramatic reversals—ultimately the resurrection of Jesus Christ—originate in God’s sovereign, miraculous intervention. The consistent manuscript tradition, corroborating archaeology, prophetic fulfillment, and contemporary evidence of divine action collectively affirm that Yahweh remains actively involved in human affairs, directing history toward His redemptive purposes and inviting every person to recognize, marvel, and respond in faith. |
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