Psalm 118:22, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," is a powerful verse with deep significance in both Judaism and Christianity. While it is celebrated in Jewish tradition as a hymn of national deliverance, it is also cited in the New Testament as a prophecy of Jesus Christ. This article explores the historical context of the psalm and the different ways it has been interpreted, offering insight into its enduring importance.

The Stone the Builders Rejected

The Prophecy

Psalm 118 is a thanksgiving hymn celebrating God's deliverance:

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever." Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures forever."

Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me...

I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD...

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. — Psalm 118:1-27 (ESV)

Jewish Interpretation

In Jewish tradition, Psalm 118 is generally understood as a hymn of thanksgiving for national deliverance. The most common understandings is that the stone metaphorically refers to Israel, David, or any righteous individual who is vindicated by God after a period of rejection.

Christian Interpretation

Jesus and the apostles quoted this psalm multiple times:

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits."

— Matthew 21:42-43 (ESV)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said... "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone." — Acts 4:8,11 (ESV)

Christians interpret this as:

  • Jesus as the rejected stone - Rejected by Jewish leaders
  • Became the cornerstone - Essential foundation of God's building (the church)
  • The LORD's doing - God vindicated Jesus through resurrection
  • Blessed is he who comes - Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem

The psalm is understood as prophesying the Messiah's rejection and vindication.

However, even Peter acknowledge that the prohecy is not exclusively about Jesus:

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” — Isaiah 28:16

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” — Psalm 118:22

and

“A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” — Isaiah 8:14

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

— 1 Peter 2:4-8 (ESV)

Historical Context

Why This Is Misunderstood

  1. The entire psalm celebrates YHWH's goodness: The refrain throughout is:
    • "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good" (v. 1)
    • "His steadfast love endures forever" (vv. 1-4)
    • "The LORD answered me and set me free" (v. 5)
    • "The LORD is on my side" (vv. 6-7)

    The psalm is about thanking God for deliverance, not primarily about the Messiah.
  2. "The stone" and "the LORD" are distinct: Verse 22-23 says:
    • "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"
    • "This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes"

    The psalm distinguishes between:
    • The rejected stone (someone vindicated)
    • The LORD (God who did the vindicating)

    God elevated the stone; the stone isn't identified as God or the Messiah in the psalm itself.
  3. The stone imagery could apply to various situations: The metaphor of a rejected stone becoming essential can apply to:
    • Israel as a nation (rejected by powerful empires but chosen by God)
    • David (rejected by Saul but made king)
    • Any righteous person vindicated after being wrongly rejected
    • The returning exiles (despised but restored by God)

    It's a powerful image of reversal and vindication, but not necessarily a specific prophecy about one person.
  4. The psalm isn't exclusively messianic: Unlike Psalm 110 or Psalm 2 which have clear royal/messianic elements, Psalm 118:
    • Doesn't mention a king or anointed one
    • Uses corporate language ("Let Israel say," "Let the house of Aaron say")
    • Focuses on thanksgiving for deliverance
    • Contains one metaphorical image that can be applied broadly
  5. Jesus applied it but didn't claim it was originally about him alone: When Jesus quoted the stone verse, he used it as an illustration of what was happening—the religious leaders were rejecting him, but God would vindicate him. This is using Scripture's imagery for his situation, which is different from claiming the psalm was written exclusively as a prophecy about him.
  6. "Blessed is he who comes" was a standard greeting: The phrase "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD" (v. 26) was a standard liturgical greeting for pilgrims coming to the temple. It wasn't a specific messianic prophecy but a general blessing. People shouted it at Jesus' triumphal entry because he was coming to Jerusalem, using the traditional greeting.
  7. The psalm is a liturgical processional hymn: The structure suggests this was used in temple worship:
    • Call to thanksgiving (vv. 1-4)
    • Testimony of deliverance (vv. 5-21)
    • Processional entry into the temple (vv. 19-27)
    • Closing thanksgiving (vv. 28-29)

    The "stone" verse is one image within a larger hymn about God's faithfulness.

Conclusion

Psalm 118:22, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," is a verse with rich and varied meaning.

  • In its Historical Context, the psalm is a liturgical hymn of thanksgiving, celebrating God's deliverance of Israel. The stone imagery serves as a powerful metaphor for God's ability to reverse fortunes and vindicate the rejected.
  • The Christian Interpretation sees this verse as a direct prophecy of Jesus Christ, who was rejected by the Jewish leaders but became the foundation of the church through his resurrection.
  • The Jewish Interpretation understands the stone as a symbol of Israel, King David, or any righteous individual who is saved by God from oppression.

While the interpretations differ, they share a common theme: divine power to transform rejection into triumph. The verse remains a cornerstone of faith for both Jews and Christians, celebrating a God who lifts up the humble and overlooked.

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