Psalms 118:23 Meaning and Explanation
“This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →This reversal is God's work and astounds those who witness it.
The Context of Psalms 118:23
Recognition that God's reversal of human judgment is marvellous and surprising.
What Does Psalms 118:23 Mean?
The psalm steps back and attributes the reversal (the rejected stone becoming essential) to the LORD. 'This is the LORD's doing'—the transformation, the elevation, the vindication—all flow from divine action. Humans proposed their judgments and dismissed what they deemed worthless, but God enacted a different outcome. The speaker and the community recognize that the power to overturn human decisions and reverse fortunes lies with God alone.
The response is wonder: 'it is marvellous in our eyes.' The Hebrew word for marvellous suggests something extraordinary, surprising, beyond human expectation. It is almost too good to believe yet unmistakably real. This sense of amazement and gratitude sweeps through the witnessing community. What was unimaginable—the rejected becoming essential—has happened. The observation 'in our eyes' suggests that this marvel is not merely theoretical but visible, real, and observed by many. It creates a community of witnesses marveling at God's unexpected power.
Psalms 118:23 in the Original Language
פֶּלֶא (pele), 'marvellous' — something that surpasses understanding and expectation; a wonder or miraculous deed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 118:23
What does Psalms 118:23 mean?
This reversal is God's work and astounds those who witness it.
What is the context of Psalms 118:23?
Recognition that God's reversal of human judgment is marvellous and surprising.