The stone rejected by the builders has become the keystone. Jesus applies to himself the symbol of the rejected stone (Mt 21:42; 1 P 2:4), and when he enters the Temple, the children sing: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
① 1Alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good,
his loving kindness endures forever.
2Let Israel say,
“His loving kindness endures forever.”
3Let the house of Aaron say,
“His loving kindness endures forever.”
4Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His loving kindness endures forever.”
5In anguish I cried to the Lord;
he answered by setting me free.
6With the Lord beside me I need not fear.
What can humans do to me?
7The Lord is with me, ready to help;
I can look in triumph upon my enemies.
8It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in the help of humans.
9It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in the might of princes.
10All the nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I crushed them.
11They surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the Lord I crushed them.
12Like swarms of bees they encircled me;
but like burning thorns they died down;
in the name of the Lord I crushed them.
13I was pushed hard and about to fall,
but the Lord came to my help.
14The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
15Joyful shouts of victory
are heard in the tents of the just:
“The right hand of the Lord strikes mightily,
16the right hand of the Lord is lifted high,
the right hand of the Lord strikes mightily!”
17I shall not die, but live
to proclaim what the Lord has done.
18The Lord has stricken me severely,
but he has saved me from death.
19Open to me the gates of the Just,
and let me enter to give thanks.
20“This is the Lord’s gate,
through which the upright enter.”
21I thank you for having answered me,
for having rescued me.
22The stone rejected by the builders
has become the cornerstone.
23This was the Lord’s doing
and we marvel at it.
24This is the day the Lord has made;
so let us rejoice and be glad.
25Save us, O Lord, deliver us, O Lord!
26Blessed is he who comes in the Lord’s name!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27The Lord is God; may his light shine upon us.
With branches, join in procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28You are my God, and I give you thanks.
You are my God, and I give you praise.
29Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
- This psalm was sung when the processions entered the Temple of Jerusalem. The people and their leader alternated with the choir of the Levites. At the end the priests gave Aaron’s blessing (Num 6:22). What does Israel sing? Their thanksgiving to God who saves them from death or raises them, thanksgiving to God who chooses the poor and the despised of this world to build his kingdom with them.
The stone rejected by the builders... A way of repeating the announcement of Isaiah 28:16. Who would dare to do this, if not the risen Christ? (see Mt 21:42; Acts 4:11).
