Psalm 118:24

Psalm 118:24

ESV: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

KJV: This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

NIV: The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

NKJV: This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

NLT: This is the day the LORD has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Meaning

Psalm 118:24 proclaims that a specific day, marked by God's definitive intervention and triumph, has been divinely appointed and created. It is a summons for believers, the people of God, to embrace this particular day with deliberate and profound joy and gladness, acknowledging it as a singular moment brought forth by the sovereign power and purpose of the LORD. It signifies an intentional and communal response of exultation to God's completed redemptive work.

Cross References

Context

Psalm 118 is the final psalm of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung at major Jewish festivals like Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot (Tabernacles). It is a hymn of thanksgiving, reflecting national deliverance, an individual's rescue from distress, and Messianic anticipation. The psalmist expresses deep gratitude for God's steadfast love (chesed) despite opposition from enemies. Crucially, verses 22-23 introduce the image of a rejected stone becoming the cornerstone, leading directly to the declaration in verse 24. This preceding context, powerfully reinterpreted in the New Testament, establishes "this day" as a climactic moment of divine victory. Historically, the setting could be a Triumphal Procession following a national victory or even the dedication of a temple, marking a moment of divine vindication.

Word analysis

• This (זֶה, zeh): A demonstrative pronoun, emphasizing the uniqueness and specificity of the day. It points to this particular day as distinct and divinely significant, not just any ordinary day.
• is the day (הַיּוֹם, hayyom): The definite article "the" reinforces that it's a specific, identified day, one of great import. It is not merely a span of 24 hours, but a momentous occasion ordained by God.
• which (אֲשֶׁר, asher): A relative pronoun connecting the day directly to its origin and source—the LORD.
• the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH, Yahweh): God's covenant name, signifying His personal, relational, and sovereign presence and action. It highlights His unique role as the creator and ordainer of this special day, differentiating Him from any human or false deity.
• has made (עָשָׂה, ʿāsāh): "Made," "done," "appointed," "performed," "accomplished." This verb denotes purposeful, creative action. The LORD didn't merely allow the day to happen; He actively brought it into being and established its significance.
• We (נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה): Implied by the first-person plural cohortative verbs ("let us rejoice and be glad"). It is a communal, corporate declaration, inviting the entire community to participate in this joyful response.
• will rejoice (נָגִילָה, nāgîlāh): From gîl, expressing exuberant, often demonstrative joy, jubilation, or dancing for joy. The cohortative mood indicates a resolute intention and a collective determination to respond with celebration.
• and be glad (וְנִשְׂמְחָה, wəniśmāḥāh): From śāmaḥ, indicating a deep-seated inner gladness, delight, and happiness. The cohortative again suggests an intentional, communal act. The pairing of gîl and śāmaḥ encompasses both outward, expressive joy and inward, deep delight.
• in it (בּוֹ, bô): The joy and gladness are intrinsically linked to and experienced within this specific divinely ordained day. The joy is not generic, but arises from the nature of "this day" itself.

Words-group analysis

• "This is the day which the LORD has made": This declarative phrase attributes ultimate sovereignty over events and time to YHWH. It is a foundational statement of divine agency and purpose. It points to a singular, momentous event orchestrated by God. In the context of the entire Psalm, this "day" is commonly understood by New Testament authors as the day of Christ's resurrection, the definitive act of God's redemptive work. It signifies a unique historical-theological event that dramatically altered spiritual reality.
• "We will rejoice and be glad in it": This phrase shifts from declaration to a communal exhortation and resolution. It signifies the appropriate, deliberate, and enthusiastic human response to God's finished work. The "we" highlights the collective celebration of the people of God, experiencing and responding to His saving act. The doubling of verbs for joy emphasizes the completeness and exuberance of their intended response. It implies an ongoing disposition, not just a fleeting emotion.

Commentary

Psalm 118:24 encapsulates the triumphant conclusion of divine action, celebrated by the grateful community. While rooted in ancient Israel's experience of deliverance and festival rejoicing, its ultimate and fullest meaning is unveiled in the New Testament with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This "day" is not merely another sunrise; it is the inaugurated day of ultimate salvation, a spiritual turning point brought about by the Lord alone. It is the day when the rejected cornerstone, Jesus, was vindicated by God, establishing Him as central to God's eternal plan. Therefore, this verse becomes a timeless summons for all who believe in Christ to live in perpetual joy and gladness. This joy is not based on fleeting circumstances but on the unshakeable reality of Christ's victory over sin and death, making every Lord's Day (Sunday) and indeed every day, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate God's saving grace.

• Examples:
  • A congregation enthusiastically singing praise on Sunday morning, recognizing it as "the Lord's Day."
  • An individual finding hope and joy amidst personal trials, by remembering Christ's victory on "this day."
  • Believers engaging in acts of service with cheerfulness, motivated by the completed work of salvation.

Bonus section

The positioning of Psalm 118:24 directly after the "stone" passage (Ps 118:22-23) elevates its prophetic significance beyond mere historical Israelite victory. The Messianic interpretation of the "rejected stone becoming the cornerstone" unequivocally ties "this day" to Jesus Christ. It marks the shift from anticipated hope to fulfilled reality. The church historically identified "the Lord's Day" (Sunday) as the celebration of Christ's resurrection, seeing Psalm 118:24 as its underlying Scriptural basis. Thus, it informs Christian worship and understanding of time, transforming every Sunday into a microcosm of the resurrection, a day divinely set apart for communal joy and gratitude. This verse transcends its literal twenty-four-hour interpretation to represent a new epoch, the age of salvation inaugurated by Christ's triumph.

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