Psalms 118:22 Meaning and Explanation
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →What was rejected becomes the most important and honored position.
The Context of Psalms 118:22
Reversal: rejected stone becomes structurally and symbolically essential.
What Does Psalms 118:22 Mean?
This verse uses architectural imagery to convey spiritual truth. A stone rejected by builders—deemed unfit for their purposes—becomes the 'head stone of the corner,' the most structurally and aesthetically crucial stone in a building. It shifts from worthless to essential, from discarded to elevated. This reversal is dramatic. Those who make the judgment (the builders) are shown to be mistaken; what they cast aside proves to be exactly what the structure needs.
The verse applies this principle to the speaker and to God's purposes. What humans rejected—the speaker, or God's plans—God honors and elevates. The judges of the world are revealed as short-sighted. God's judgment supersedes human judgment. A life or a purpose that appears ruined or worthless to human eyes may be exactly what God is building into his larger structure. This verse affirms that God's valuations are trustworthy and that rejection by the world does not determine final worth.
Psalms 118:22 in the Original Language
אֶבֶן (even), 'stone' — cornerstone ('head stone') was most important for structural integrity and alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 118:22
What does Psalms 118:22 mean?
What was rejected becomes the most important and honored position.
What is the context of Psalms 118:22?
Reversal: rejected stone becomes structurally and symbolically essential.