Psalm 118

Skeppsbron 6, Stockholm, inscription

Psalm 118 is the 118th psalm of the Book of Psalms. Verses 8-9 are notable as the centre verses of the Protestant Bible (e.g. King James Bible).

Uses

Judaism

• Is one of six psalms (113-118) of which Hallel is composed. On all days when Hallel is recited, this psalm is recited in its entirety, with the final ten verses being recited twice each.^[1]
• Verse 1 is recited by some following Psalm 126 preceding Birkat Hamazon.^[2]
• Verse 5 is recited prior to the Shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah.^[3]
• Verses 5-9 are part of Tashlikh.^[4]
• Verse 25 is part of the long Tachanun recited on Mondays and Thursdays.^[5]

Christianity

Psalm 118:23 quoted on an English Sovereign: A DNO' FACTU' EST ISTUD ET EST MIRAB' IN OCULIS NRS

This Psalm was quoted by Jesus and writers of the New Testament. In Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" Opposition and difficulties are seen in this Psalm but in the midst of it God will display His salvation. This verse is also referred to in Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:7.

An extract from Psalm 118:23 also appears in an inscription on several English coins, using the Vulgate form a Domino factum est istud et hoc mirabile in oculis nostris. Upon her accession, Elizabeth I of England is said to have uttered the same verse, also in Latin, with the following form: A Dominum factum est illud, et est mirabile in oculis nostris.^[6]

References

1. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 638-40
2. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 183
3. The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 435
4. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 771.
5. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 131
6. "On This Day: Elizabeth I Becomes Queen of England". 10 November 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2016.

External links

• Recording of the last two verses of the psalm as sung during Hallel