A Song at the Feasts

From: Messages of God's Love: 1940

Psalm 118

The feast times were happy times for the people of Israel, and they sang, many psalms, which the boys and girls must have early learned.

Psalm 118 was one much used, and the crowd of grown people and children sang words from it the day they walked beside the Lord Jesus and placed branches of palm trees and garments in the path to honor Him as they went up to the temple. They cried out “Hosanna”, which means, “Lord, save us”, and

“Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord”. Matthew 21:9⁹And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. (Matthew 21:9).

But the men of the temple did not like to hear their joyous singing; Jesus told them other words of this psalm, saying:

“Did ye never read the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” Matthew 21:42⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42).

It seems from the words of the psalm, that there was a great stone which the builders refused,” but which was afterward taken for the most important corner. So there would be One, not really a stone, but a Person Who would make His people safe, as a strong stone makes the corner of a safe foundation; that One was the Messiah Whom the men of the temple rejected, but Who was given the most important place by God. After Jesus’ death his disciples said of Him:

“This is the stone set at naught of you builders: which is become the head stone of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name, under heaven given among men, where we must be saved.” Acts 4:11, 12¹¹This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. ¹²Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:11‑12).

The psalm also speaks of “The gate of the Lord, which the righteous enter.” Verse 20. A gate is a right place to enter so, because Christ is the only One to make any righteous, He is the right “gate” or way to God.

When the Lord Jesus was on earth, all the people should have rejoiced and been glad, as this psalm says (verse 24), but they did not all believe Him, so the nation must wait until the day they ai last will believe Him, and say the words of this psalm again,

“Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Matt. 23:39³⁹For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 23:39).

What is the last verse of this psalm?

Where did Isaiah say a precious store should be, and he that believed should “not make haste” (be troubled)? (Isaiah 28:16¹⁶Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:16)).

ML 12/22/1940

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