Psalm 118:22-23
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This verse isn't just about a stone being rejected and then accepted; it highlights the active rejection by the "builders"—those in positions of authority, who thought they knew best how to construct things. Their dismissal, however, didn't negate God's plan; instead, it positioned the rejected stone to become the most crucial element, the very piece that holds everything together.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a song of thanksgiving celebrating deliverance and victory, likely sung during a festival or procession entering Jerusalem. The verses leading up to this speak of enemies surrounding and pressing in, but God intervening to save them. The focus then shifts to acknowledging God's strength and the vindication of the one He chose.
Have you ever felt overlooked or dismissed, like a piece that doesn't fit? This verse speaks to that feeling, but with an incredible twist.
The ancient Israelites often saw themselves as a nation chosen by God, yet they faced constant opposition and rejection from the powerful empires around them. This verse acknowledges that reality: 'The stone that the builders rejected.' The 'builders' here represent those in power – kings, rulers, and even religious leaders – who thought they knew best how to build their kingdoms or their religious systems. They looked at this particular 'stone' (representing Israel, or later, the Messiah) and decided it wasn't worthy, strong enough, or important enough to include in their grand designs.
But God's perspective is entirely different. What people reject, God often uses in the most crucial way. The very stone that was cast aside by the 'builders' has now become the 'cornerstone.' In ancient construction, the cornerstone was vital. It wasn't just any stone; it was the first stone laid, setting the direction and foundation for the entire building. It was essential for stability and strength, uniting the walls. God's plan is to take what the world deems worthless and make it the absolute center of His work.
This ancient verse echoes powerfully through the New Testament. Who is this rejected stone ultimately pointing to?
While this Psalm speaks to Israel's experience and God's faithfulness, its deepest meaning points directly to Jesus Christ. The 'builders' in the New Testament context become the religious leaders of Israel – the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. They were the spiritual 'builders' of God's people, but they rejected Jesus.
They refused to accept Him as the promised Messiah, found Him unworthy of their doctrines, and ultimately condemned Him to crucifixion. They thought they had permanently removed this troublesome 'stone' from their religious and political building. However, God's divine purpose was unstoppable. After His resurrection, Jesus, the one rejected and crucified, was exalted by God to become the ultimate Cornerstone of the entire Church. He is the foundation upon which believers are built, the one who unites Jews and Gentiles, and the 'head stone of the corner' – the most essential part of God's spiritual building, giving it strength, beauty, and cohesion.
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Understand the original words
eben · Hebrew Noun
A hard, solid mineral mass; in Scripture, frequently used as a metaphor for God's stability, protection, or the foundation of the faith (often pointing toward the Messiah).
rosh pinnah · Hebrew Noun phrase
The chief stone at the corner of a building, which binds two walls together and provides the foundational level and direction for the entire structure.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenant-keeping name of God revealed to Israel; He who is self-existent, faithful, and the source of all existence.
niphlah · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Something that causes astonishment, wonder, or awe; often used in Scripture to describe God’s miraculous interventions or His majestic works that transcend human expectation.
This verse powerfully captures how those in power, the 'builders' of the religious and political establishment, rejected Jesus. Yet, God's divine plan exalted Him, making Him the absolutely essential 'cornerstone' of His church, uniting all believers.
c. 1010 BC
David Anointed King
David, from the tribe of Judah, was anointed king over Israel, though not all tribes initially accepted him, with Ish-bosheth reigning elsewhere. This rejection by some and eventual acceptance by all foreshadows a greater King.
c. 520 BC
Zerubbabel Leads Rebuilding
Zerubbabel, a leader of the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon, oversaw the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Though facing opposition, he was instrumental in restoring the community.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Rejected by Jewish Leaders
Jesus, hailed by some, was rejected by the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, who saw Him as a threat to their authority and tradition. He was ultimately condemned and crucified.
c. 33 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus was executed as a criminal by Roman authorities at the urging of Jewish leaders. This act of rejection by the religious establishment is central to the verse's meaning.
c. 33 AD
Resurrection and Exaltation of Jesus
Following His crucifixion, Jesus was raised from the dead by God's power, proving His divine authority. He was exalted to God's right hand, becoming the cornerstone of the new spiritual building, the church.
c. 48 AD
Apostles Preach Christ
Peter and other apostles proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah and the cornerstone of the church, facing opposition from the same Jewish leadership who rejected Jesus.
Jesus directly quotes this verse when speaking about himself, highlighting his rejection by the religious leaders but his ultimate exaltation by God as the cornerstone of his kingdom.
Acts 4:11Peter applies this same imagery to Jesus, emphasizing that Jesus is the 'stone' rejected by the builders (the Jewish authorities) but is now the 'head of the corner' through whom salvation comes.
1 Peter 2:7Peter again uses this metaphor, explaining that for believers, Christ is precious, but for those who disobey, he is a 'stone of stumbling' and a 'rock of offense,' reinforcing the idea of rejection leading to judgment for some and salvation for others.
Ephesians 2:20This passage describes the church as built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone, showing how rejected stone becomes the vital connecting piece of God's spiritual building.
Zechariah 4:7This verse, speaking of Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the temple, mentions bringing forth the 'top stone' with shouts of 'grace, grace,' which is often seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, the rejected but ultimately triumphant cornerstone.
pulpitPsalms 118:22: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
Verse 22. - The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. The primary and literal meaning seems to be - " Israel, which the great of the world, those who think to arrange the world ac cording to their own ideas, have rejected and would fain have cast aside, has, nevertheless, despite their rejection, attained to eminence, and been advanced, by the course of events, into s…
clarkePsalms 118:22: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
The stone which the builders refused - See a full elucidation of these two verses in the notes on Matthew 21:42 (note).
This verse isn't just about a stone being rejected and then accepted; it highlights the active rejection by the "builders"—those in positions of authority, who thought they knew best how to construct things. Their dismissal, however, didn't negate God's plan; instead, it positioned the rejected stone to become the most crucial element, the very piece that holds everything together.
This psalm is a song of thanksgiving celebrating deliverance and victory, likely sung during a festival or procession entering Jerusalem. The verses leading up to this speak of enemies surrounding and pressing in, but God intervening to save them. The focus then shifts to acknowledging God's strength and the vindication of the one He chose.
This psalm is a song of thanksgiving celebrating deliverance and victory, likely sung during a festival or procession entering Jerusalem. The verses leading up to this speak of enemies surrounding and pressing in, but God intervening to save them. The focus then shifts to acknowledging God's strength and the vindication of the one He chose.
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." — This verse isn't just about a stone being rejected and then accepted; it highlights the active rejection by the "builders"—those in positions of authority, who thought they knew best how to constru…
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Last reviewed October 2026
