it's one of those songs that many of us learn as little kids in the church (and one of the two that i can still remember how to sing in russian from our '93 trip):
this is the day, this is the day,
that the LORD has made, that the LORD has made.
we will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, yes be glad in it.
this is the day that the LORD has made.
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
this is the day, this is the day
that the LORD has made.
as i read Psalm 118 this morning, i was reminded that this song comes from Psalm 118:24. AND i was struck once again (i think i first really noticed it the last time through the Psalms) by how much deeper the contextual roots of our rejoicing are to go than the sentiments of the song may lead us to believe.
first, let me say, the sentiments of the song are not wrong. the fact that God made today IS reason to rejoice. His sovereign control of each and every day is definitely a theme of this Psalm. However, there is more - and that's where it gets exciting!
Psalm 118:1 begins with a call to thanksgiving for the LORD's goodness and steadfast love.
Psalm 118:2-4 builds with the refrain of "His steadfast love endures forever."
Psalm 118:5-7 is a stanza recalling the LORD's help when faced with enemies.
Psalm 118:8-9 is a reminder that the LORD is the best and only sure refuge.
Psalm 118:10-12 speaks of the power of the name of the LORD against our foes.
Psalm 118:13-16 harkens back to Moses' song in Exodus 15:2 after the people had crossed safely through the Red Sea - the LORD is my strength, my song and my salvation.
Psalm 118:17-18 tells of God's sovereignty even in life and death situations.
and now to our stanza, Psalm 118:19-24:
the gates of righteousness opened up for us to enter the presence of the LORD and give thanks! God's salvation has come - through the stone which the builders have rejected! (a verse often quoted of the Christ in the New Testament) all of this, God's marvelous plan of salvation which He has allowed our eyes to see!
THEN WE COME TO OUR VERSE
"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
what is "this day"? the day we have seen God's plan of salvation, the day we have entered the gates of righteousness to give thanks by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain! (Hebrews 10:19-20) wow!
Psalm 118:25 in light of the preceding 24 verses, God save us, God give us success - only You can.
Psalm 118:26-27 Bless the LORD! Worship the LORD!
Psalm 118:28-29 Give thanks to MY GOD! Extol Him! He is GOOD and His STEADFAST LOVE endures forever!
this is still just skimming the surface of this passage, but what a wonderful reminder it is to rejoice - not only in God's sovereignty in creation and providence, but even more in His salvation worked through the life, death and resurrection of His Son. may we look beyond our day to day circumstances to be reminded of our great source of joy!
