Commentary on Ps 117 by Dr Noel Donnelly
Originally this psalm was used in two ways: firstly it was sung as the excited Jewish pilgrims reached the goal of their journey, their great Temple of Jerusalem; secondly it was used to celebrate the end of the great Passover meal… a kind of “Grace after Meals”. Our elder brothers and sisters of the Jewish community sing it also at the celebration of the Feast of Lights. For all of us, Christians and Jews, joy and lights are all around! We as Christians specially use this psalm at Eastertide as we celebrate the victory of the Light of the World in the Risen Jesus.
This is the day the Lord has made, we sing. Another translation puts it as This is the day the Lord has acted! Yes, at Creation, the Lord has made the first Sabbath a special Day of rest. But the Lord has acted too on the first Easter day, the Day of resurrection.
The psalm highlights the image of the corner-stone of a building.
This key stone is essential to the whole structure: if it’s not right then the whole building will collapse. But here in this psalm we have a foundation stone which others had rejected. Truly God is a God of Surprises! Without the foundation-stone of the risen Jesus the whole edifice of Christianity crumbles! The Temple of Christ’s Body has risen indeed. The Christian Passover Feast is completed. Let us sing with renewed confidence this song of our pilgrim church assured of ultimate victory by the Risen Lord who goes before us in our joyful triumphal celebration!
Commentary audio
Psalm 117G3 – Full Score
Psalm 117: words (c) The Grail, England; music Gerry Fitzpatrick; sung by The St Mungo Singers.
Ps 117 gf_1 – Full Score
Another setting: Psalm 117G3 – Full Score
Another setting: sung by Magdalen McInnes
Movie Commentary by Dr Noel Donnelly
Ps 117 com – Small
