Why is the phrase "it is marvelous in our eyes" significant in understanding God's works in Psalm 118:23? Canonical Context Psalm 118:22-24 reads: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the LORD; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” These verses form the climax of the final Hallel psalm (Psalm 113-118), sung by Israel at Passover. The speaker testifies that Yahweh has reversed human judgment—turning the “rejected stone” into the “cornerstone.” Verse 23 anchors the reversal in God’s agency and invites the worshiper to respond with astonished praise. Intertextual Echoes 1. Exodus 15:11—Israel’s song after the Red Sea deliverance already couples Yahweh’s “wonders” (נִפְלָאֹת) with covenant praise. 2. Isaiah 29:14—God promises a “marvelous work” (פֶּלֶא וְפָלִי) that confounds the wise, foreshadowing Messiah’s rejection and vindication. 3. Habakkuk 1:5—A work “you would not believe if told,” fulfilled in the resurrection (Acts 13:41). 4. Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17—Jesus cites Psalm 118:22-23 to interpret His own passion and triumph. Christological Fulfillment The New Testament uniformly identifies the “stone” with Jesus (Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7). His crucifixion (rejection) and bodily resurrection (exaltation) constitute the definitive “marvelous” act. Eyewitness testimony summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 and minimal-facts analysis (Habermas) confirm the historical reality of the empty tomb, post-mortem appearances, and the disciples’ transformation—evidence that coheres with the psalmist’s anticipation of a God-wrought reversal. Liturgical and Historical Setting Second-Temple liturgy (Mishnah, Sukkah 5:4) records that Psalm 118 was chanted during the waving of palm branches at the Feast of Booths and Passover. The crowd’s cry of “Hosanna” (Psalm 118:25) on Palm Sunday (John 12:13) links Jesus’ entry to this psalm. Archaeology supports the text’s antiquity: 4QPsᵇ (4Q83) from Qumran (c. 30 BC) contains Psalm 118, showing that the wording predates Christ by at least a century and is virtually identical to the Masoretic Text used today. Theological Implications 1. Sovereignty—The work is “from the LORD,” underscoring monergism. 2. Wonder—God invites rational creatures to experience awe, a cognitive-emotive response integral to worship and ethically transformative (Romans 12:1-2). 3. Salvation—The pattern of rejection-exaltation prefigures the gospel: human sin rejects God’s provision; God overturns the verdict, offering salvation through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). 4. Eschatology—The final vindication of God’s people will likewise be “marvelous” (Revelation 21:5). Practical and Devotional Application • Perspective Shift—Believers interpret reality through the lens of God’s extraordinary interventions, cultivating gratitude. • Bold Witness—The apostles’ citation of Psalm 118 fueled fearless proclamation (Acts 4:13-20). • Corporate Worship—Congregations reenact the psalm each Lord’s Day, recognizing Sunday—the day of resurrection—as “the day the LORD has made.” Conclusion “It is marvelous in our eyes” crystallizes the response of every redeemed heart to God’s unparalleled deed—from Israel’s exodus, through Christ’s resurrection, to the new creation. The phrase calls the skeptic to examine the overwhelming historical and experiential evidence of Yahweh’s saving work and invites every listener to join the psalmist in astonished praise. |
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