Psalm 118:24 is often cited as an encouragement to be thankful for each day: “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” The verse carries more meaning than simply an encouragement to see each day as a gift from God, however, because the day referred to in verse 24 is more than simply another 24-hour extension of life. Verses 22-23 leading up to it speak of Israel’s king who was thought to be an easy conquest for the enemy and yet gained the victory: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
New Testament writers quote from Psalm 118 and refer to Christ Jesus as “the chief cornerstone.” In fact, Jesus himself does this in Matthew 21. This is because, in the New Testament, Christ, though rejected, is the victor. In Acts 3, Peter and John heal a man who had never walked. The next day, they are questioned by the scribes and rulers and priests, and Peter responds, “’Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved’”(Acts 4:10-12). This is a powerful message, more marvelous than the victory of Psalm 118; and Peter recognized that the religious leaders of his day knew Psalm 118 and would understand the reference, whether they agreed with him or not.
The day that the Psalmist wrote of in Psalm 118:24 was a specific, victorious day. When we put the verse in a frame and hang it on our wall, or when we sing the tune that’s been written for it, encouraging each other to rejoice in the current 24-hour day we are living, are we claiming a meaning for the verse which wasn’t intended? Not necessarily. Remember the following guidelines from the GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING A BIBLE PASSAGE section of the BASICS FOR BIBLE STUDY page on this site: “Understand the words. Understand the history: Determine, as best you can, what these words meant to the original readers: . . . What was happening politically, socially, culturally, and religiously when these words were written? Understand how it fits with other Scripture.” Then consider the steps outlined in the GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR BIBLE APPLICATION from the same page: “1) Follow the general principles for understanding a passage. 2) Determine what the author wanted to communicate to the reader at the time of writing. 3) Determine what truth you can learn based on #1 and #2. 4) Based on this truth, determine what you should change in your thoughts or actions so that you can be more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ and so that your life can glorify God.”
The first paragraph above follows the principles for understanding a Bible passage. The second paragraph provides even more understanding by looking at how part of this Old Testament passage was quoted in the New Testament. With this added understanding, we recognize that the most basic truth being conveyed is not simply that every 24-hour day is a gift from God but also that this victory was from God. The quoting of this OT text in the NT reminds us that Jesus, our Savior, rejected by his own, is the ultimate victor, the provider of salvation.
Can we take to heart the encouragement to rejoice in victory, even though we weren’t around for the specific victory described in Psalm 118? Yes. Praise God that the God of the Old Testament is your God. Are there any NT passages which encourage believers to rejoice? Yes. Over and over in the New Testament we are encouraged to place our confidence in the Savior and to rejoice. 1 Thessalonians 5 instructs us to, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”(vv. 16-18).
Let Psalm 118:24 remind you of the triumph it communicated to the Old Testament saints. Then recognize, live, and rejoice in the truth that their God is your God, that with Christ you, too, are on the winning side. Tomorrow holds many unknowns; illnesses, accidents, and hardships can come with no warning. A seemingly stable career may be upended by a company decision. Some who said goodbye to a friend yesterday will not see that loved one again until joining him or her in eternity. A friend may disappoint. Don’t let these overpower you with a sense of defeat! If you had a plan for today, you may have been so filled with worry that you forgot the victorious Savior who gives you each opportunity and waits for you to turn to him for guidance through it. Talk with God before you face the day before you. Determine to give the events of the day to the Champion who loves you so the day can be a celebration of victory.