The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it. Psalm 118:22-24 (Psalms 78, 107, 116, 118, 125, 126, 128, 132, 147, and 149)
These Psalms are the songs of a restored people, they used these words to worship in the completed Temple with great hope and celebration. They were new songs! Some very short, repeated over and over, we would call this contemporary worship. The completion of the Temple was symbolic to a restored nation and the joy they felt in the presence of God and their right relationship with Him. Some of the most delightful and powerful words in the Bible’s Hymnbook are found here. Each Psalm/song has a specific emphasis; 78 is a praise for God’s faithfulness to a rebellious nation, 107, the beauty of Israel after their punishment, 116 and 118 are Hallel (praise) Psalms, sung in the celebration of Passover. They would have been the words Jesus sung with His Disciples on the night before His crucifixion. 125 remembers that oppression will end and 126 is full of joy, 128 states the blessedness of righteousness, 132 praises God for the promise of David’s eternal Throne, 147 and 149 sings to the power of God and acknowledge that the Creator has Created again.
Imagine Jesus singing the verse above, understanding a rejected capstone much differently than those friends among Him. Yet, He rejoiced in the day the LORD had made, a day of agony for Him, but eternal life for you and me. Folks! That’s big!
I want to draw attention to verses 10 and 11 of Psalm 147. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. God’s delight is different from man’s. We stand proud of our accomplishments, becoming miffed when others don’t recognize our insight, contribution or status. Because we superimpose man’s image onto God rather than the inverse, we get carried away with trivial matters, missing God’s desire and marring His plan. God delights in humble hearts that are obedient, manifested in trust and works.
As a kindergarten teacher I tell my students, “Crisscross apple sauce, point your nose at my face, or the tip of my pointer, and make sure your belly button is lined up with your nose.” In doing so I can assure their eyes and ears are where I want them, seeing and listening. God wants this for His children too, looking, hearing, learning and following in His ways alone.
Have an Apple Sauce Kind of Day,
Gretchen