Psalm 118:24 says “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” This verse is a call to praise God and rejoice in the day He has given us. Here are some key points about the meaning of this verse:
It Affirms God’s Sovereignty Over Time
The verse affirms that God is sovereign over time and the days we are given. He has “made” each day, meaning He has ordained it and brought it to pass according to His divine purposes. There are no “chance” happenings or aimless days outside of God’s plan. The day we have has been prepared and planned by the Lord. This should give us great comfort that our times are in God’s hands (Psalm 31:15).
It’s an Invitation to Rejoice
Knowing that God has made this day, we can “rejoice and be glad in it.” No matter what difficulties or trials we may face, God means for us to rejoice in the life He gives. The day presents opportunities to trust, obey, and enjoy Him. Our response should not be complaining or mourning, but joy in the salvation of our God (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Even hard days are still “the day that the Lord has made.”
It Encourages Us to Have an Eternal Perspective
This brief life is “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). But God and His kingdom last forever (Psalm 10:16). By rejoicing in the day the Lord has made, we realign our perspective from the temporal to the eternal. The day’s troubles fade in the light of God’s glory and grace which never ends (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
It Reminds Us Each Day Is an Opportunity
Not assuming we will have tomorrow, we can value each day as a fresh opportunity to serve God. We can redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16), maximize our days for His purposes, and “number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). No day is aimless; God has prepared it for good works (Ephesians 2:10).
It Calls Us to Dependence Upon God
Since God made this day, we should rely on Him to sustain us through it. “This is the day” also implies that each day has enough trouble of its own, so we must depend on the Lord for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Look to Him for strength and grace for each day’s challenges. Trust that He will guide you to live this one day well.
It Motivates Us to Obedience
Knowing God has ordained this day, we desire to walk in obedience and fellowship with Him. We recognize His authority over our lives and submit to His will and ways. The day presents many opportunities to obey, deny ourselves, and follow Christ faithfully. A key purpose of the day is to walk obediently with our Lord.
Application for Believers
As Christians, rejoicing in the day the Lord has made involves:
- Praising God through prayer, song, and giving thanks (Psalm 100:4)
- Delighting in His Word and hiding it in our hearts (Psalm 119:14-16)
- Gathering with God’s people for worship, fellowship, and service (Psalm 122:1)
- Walking in holiness and repenting of all known sin (Ephesians 4:30)
- Serving others, doing good works, and sharing the gospel (Galatians 6:9-10)
- Giving our best effort in our daily work as serving Christ (Colossians 3:23)
- Waiting patiently on the Lord’s timing (Psalm 27:14)
- Entrusting anxious cares to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
Every day is a gift from God. No matter what joys or trials it contains, we can rejoice because the Lord reigns. His steadfast love endures forever. Therefore, we live each day by His grace and for His glory.
Old Testament Background
This verse comes from Psalm 118, one of the “Egyptian Hallel” psalms (113-118) that were sung at Jewish feasts. The entire psalm is a gratitude hymn focusing on thanksgiving for God’s everlasting mercy. Key background points include:
- It was likely written by David or Solomon.
- It expresses thanksgiving after victory over enemies (vv.5-7).
- Israel had historically sung this psalm at their feasts remembering God’s deliverance.
- Verse 24 falls right after verse 23 which says “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
- The psalm looks forward to the coming Messiah who will save God’s people (vv.21-26).
So verse 24 connects Israel’s past salvation to their current situation. God has victoriously “made” this day a day of joy and feasting for His people. His previous acts of redemption are their reason to rejoice on this occasion. They also look ahead to final salvation in Christ.
New Testament Context
The New Testament quotes verse 24 multiple times in applying it to Jesus Christ:
- Matthew 21:42 – Jesus references this psalm to challenge the religious leaders who rejected Him.
- Mark 12:10-11 – After debates with the Pharisees, Jesus quotes this psalm to reinforce that He is the Messiah sent by God.
- Luke 20:17 – Jesus alludes to this verse as He teaches about His rejection and impending death for sinners.
- Acts 4:10-11 – Peter uses this psalm to explain that Jesus is the rejected stone who is now the cornerstone of God’s kingdom.
So in its ultimate fulfillment, this day the Lord has made is the day of salvation through Jesus Christ. He is the one who gives our days redemptive meaning and hope. Only He can enable us to truly rejoice in God and what He has done. We rejoice in Him!
Rejoicing Even in Trials
The call to rejoice in the day does not mean pretending that suffering isn’t real or difficult. Some days bring tragedy, grief, pain, frustration, or disappointment. But God’s people can still obey this command in the midst of trials, because our joy comes from the Lord:
- We can rejoice in suffering knowing it produces Christlike character in us (Romans 5:3-5).
- We find joy in the privilege of suffering for Christ (Acts 5:41).
- We rejoice knowing trials are temporary, while our hope in Christ is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
- We delight in seeing God’s strength perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
- We joyfully anticipate the glory to be revealed when Christ returns (Romans 8:18).
Our joy remains because God’s presence, promises, and power give us hope. Even on hard days, we can say “this is the day the Lord has made,” for He will sustain us and redeem our suffering.
A Prayer for Each Day
We can pray Psalm 118:24 at the start of each day, asking God to help us rejoice in His sovereign goodness and live according to His will on that day.
Lord, thank You for giving me another day of life today. I praise and worship You for Your love and mercy that never ends. This is the day that You have made; I recognize Your sovereign hand in ordaining this time. No matter what comes my way today, help me rejoice in You and Your steadfast salvation. Open my eyes to see Your hand in the details of this day. Supply the strength I need to complete each task. Give me a spirit of obedience, patience, and hope in You. Help me to redeem the time for Your glory. Thank You for making this day according to Your great purpose. May I walk closely with You every moment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion
Psalm 118:24 provides a powerful reminder for us to rejoice in God’s sovereign goodness each day. No matter what joys or trials come our way, we can praise God for His steadfast love endures forever. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it!