This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be
glad in it.” Down through the centuries God’s children have
read, sung, and actively embodied these words from Psalm
118 in faithful acknowledgment of God’s unfailing love in and
through impossible times. These ancient words have provided
comfort and succor in all kinds of contexts both at national and
at personal levels.

Their original liturgical context was probably the early
Passover festival celebrating Israel’s redemption from slavery
in Egypt. In fact, present-day Jews still recite Psalm 118 at the
Passover meal. It is the last of six psalms in Book Five known as
the Egyptian Hallel, which commemorates the Israelite exodus
from Egypt. Later in Israel’s troubled history the words of Psalm
118 once again took on national significance through the return
of the dispirited exiles from Babylon. “This is the day that the
Lord has made.” This is the day he acted to save us. Approximately
three hundred years later, Christians began to read these
words through the eyes of Palm Sunday and Easter. They began
to cite the words of Psalm 118 as they celebrated the resurrection
of Jesus, the Lord’s day, the day the Lord has made (acted)
. . . to deliver. And still today countless individuals find hope,
solace, and encouragement in this ancient text. Why? Because
it has to do with love—a love that endures forever. A love that
knows no limits, that never gives up. An active love—quite literally
one that acts, does, makes, performs, delivers. God’s love.
God’s unfailing love.

Deliverance. Freedom. New life. New hope. These are more
than enough reasons to give thanks to the Lord and testify to a
love that endures forever!