The verse is part of a psalm that celebrates the goodness of God and his faithfulness to his people. The context of the verse is the psalmist's description of his own deliverance from a difficult situation. The psalmist thanks God for his salvation and praises him for his mercy and faithfulness.
The verse itself is a metaphor, comparing the rejected stone to a cornerstone. A cornerstone is the first and most important stone laid in the foundation of a building. It is carefully chosen for its strength and durability and is used to ensure that the rest of the building is properly aligned and supported.
The metaphor is significant because it suggests that something that was once rejected and considered worthless has become the most important and foundational element of a structure. In the case of the verse, the rejected stone is a reference to the Messiah, who was rejected by the Jewish leaders but who became the cornerstone of the church.
The rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish leaders is a theme that runs throughout the New Testament. Jesus was not accepted by the religious authorities of his time, who saw him as a threat to their authority and to the religious traditions that they held dear. However, his teachings and his life had a profound impact on his followers, and he is now recognized as the cornerstone of the Christian faith.
The metaphor of the cornerstone also has a broader meaning in the context of the psalm. It suggests that God can use even the most rejected and despised things to bring about his purposes. The psalmist was saved from his troubles by God, who had chosen him and lifted him up. The rejected stone became the cornerstone of a great building, just as the psalmist was lifted up to a place of honor and praise by God.
The message of the verse is clear: God's ways are not our ways, and he can use even the most unexpected and despised things to accomplish his purposes. This message is one that is relevant to believers of all times and places, reminding us to trust in God's wisdom and goodness even when things seem to be going wrong.
In conclusion, Psalm 118:22 is a verse that celebrates the goodness of God and his faithfulness to his people. The metaphor of the cornerstone highlights the importance of the rejected stone, which becomes the foundation of a great building. This metaphor is significant in Jewish and Christian theology, emphasizing the rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish leaders and the importance of trusting in God's wisdom and goodness.
See also: vs 20-21
Psalm 118:22. The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.