This Is the Day Which the Lord Hath Made. Psalm 118:24

1. This Is the Day Which the Lord Hath Made.Psalm 118:24 • Written on an occasion when the Israelites were going up to the temple to worship God.

2. Some think that it was written in the time of David at the time when he had attained to the “possession of royal power.” • Others think of David at Hebron when he was crowned king over all Israel. • Temple was not built yet.

3. Post-exile • In connection with the building of the second temple either at the first celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, when there was only a simple altar set up (Ezra 3:1-4). • Or, in connection with 118:22, the laying of the foundation of the second temple (Ezra 3:8-13). • Or dedication of the completed temple, and the Passover celebrated almost immediately afterward (Ezra 6:15-19).

4. Whenever it was, it makes better sense to me that the temple was in place. • There is no way to know who wrote the psalm. • We will discuss the psalm and then concentrate on the meaning of verse 24.

5. The song of the festive procession ascending with animals for sacrifice, 1-18. • Call to praise (vss. 1-4). • Note that verse one affirms that the Lord is good, “for His lovingkindness endures forever.” • In verse 2 Israel is instructed to say, “that His lovingkindness endures forever.”

6. In verse 3, the house of Aaron is instructed to say, “that His lovingkindness endures forever.” • And in verse 4, those who fear the Lord are instructed to say, “that His lovingkindness endures forever.”

7. The occasion: Jehovah’s deliverance, 5-18. • The Psalmist speaks of his troubles from which the Lord delivered him (vs. 5). • Verse 6 is quoted by the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 13:6.

8. In all his troubles, the Psalmist says, that Jehovah has “become my salvation” (vs. 14). • Though the outcome might have been in doubt to some, the Lord has come through for the Psalmist.

9. Stands at the gate and calls for admittance, 19, 20. • The procession, now reaching the gates of the temple, cry for entrance.

10. The gates are called “the gates of righteousness,” • (1) as gates which none but the righteous ought to enter (see v. 20). • (2) as gates through which access is gained to the sanctuary of Him who alone is truly righteous, and the source of all righteousness in others.

11. The song of the body of the Levites who receive the procession, 21-27. • We recognize verse 22 as a verse quoted in the New Testament on several occasions. • Jesus (Matt. 21:42). • Peter (Acts 4:11). • Peter (1 Peter 2:7).

12. The context indicates something that the Lord has done, something that simply could not have happened without His intervention (vs. 23). • The day which the Lord has made is a day that He has provided for, a day which could not be without His express action.

13. The day of creation. • The day of Israel’s crossing the Red Sea. • The return of the Jews from captivity. • The birth of Jesus. • The day of His crucifixion.

14. The day of His resurrection. • The day of His ascension. • The day when you were saved from your sins. • The day when we assemble to worship God and to commemorate the death of Jesus our sacrifice. • The day of His coming again.

15. The context indicates such a day, a day different from other days, in which something happened that would not have happened on any day if the Lord had not made it possible.

16. The concluding song, 28, 29. • Notice how the psalm concludes by repeating the refrain of verse 1: “O give thanks unto Jehovah; for He is good; for His lovingkindness endureth for ever.”

17. Conclusion: Let us rejoice for the “days” the Lord has made possible, those special days that would never have come if He had not specially intervened to make them happen.