What does Psalm 118:23 reveal about God's sovereignty and power? Setting the Verse in Context Psalm 118:23 follows the declaration that “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (v. 22). Verse 23 adds, “This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes”. The psalmist looks at an astonishing reversal—what people discard, God exalts—and traces it directly to God’s hand. Key Words That Spotlight Sovereignty • “from the LORD” – the Hebrew preposition means “out of” or “emanating from.” Every detail of the event is sourced in God, not human ingenuity. • “marvelous” – something surpassing ordinary possibility; it signals divine intervention, not a lucky break. • “in our eyes” – human observers recognize the outcome as stunning, but God is the One who conceived and executed it. What the Verse Declares About God’s Sovereignty • God initiates: He does not merely react; the entire reversal originates with Him (cf. Isaiah 46:10–11). • God overrules human assessment: Builders rejected the stone, yet God decreed its central place (cf. Proverbs 19:21). • God’s plan stands even in the face of opposition: Rejection cannot cancel His purpose (cf. Acts 4:25–28). • God writes history’s storyline: The psalmist sees history as God-authored rather than chance-driven. What the Verse Declares About God’s Power • Power to elevate the lowly: Transforming a cast-off stone into the cornerstone displays might over circumstances and people (cf. 1 Samuel 2:8). • Power to astonish: The outcome is “marvelous,” producing awe that only supernatural power can evoke (cf. Exodus 15:11). • Power that fulfills prophetic purpose: Jesus applied this verse to Himself (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11); resurrection power validated God’s ultimate cornerstone. How Believers Respond • Wonder: “marvelous in our eyes” invites heartfelt awe rather than casual acknowledgment. • Confidence: If God sovereignly directs rejected stones, He can direct every detail of our lives (Romans 8:28). • Worship: Recognizing divine authorship fuels thanksgiving, a dominant theme of the psalm (vv. 1, 29). • Alignment: Because His plan prevails, wisdom lies in submitting to His revealed will (James 4:15). Additional Scripture Echoes • Isaiah 25:1 – “You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago in perfect faithfulness.” • Isaiah 43:13 – “From eternity I am He; none can deliver out of My hand; when I act, who can reverse it?” • Ephesians 1:11 – “In Him we were also chosen… according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will.” Takeaway Truths • God is the decisive author behind every redemptive reversal. • His sovereign initiative cannot be thwarted by human rejection. • His power transforms what seems discarded into a foundation stone, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. • Our fitting response: stand in amazed worship and rest in His unassailable rule. |
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