Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 118:22

"The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner." — Psalms 118:22 (ASV)

The stone which the builders refused—See the notes at Matthew 21:42-43. Compare Mark 12:10-11; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7.

This is an allusion to a building, as if a stone were cast away by workmen as unfit to be worked into the edifice. The figure would then be applicable to anyone who, for any purpose, was rejected.

Thus, it might have been applied many times to David; so, doubtless, to others who urged claims to authority and power; and so, eminently, to the Lord Jesus Christ.

We should not suppose that this had an original reference to the Messiah, but the language was applicable to him. It is used in the passages referred to above, in addresses to the Jews, merely to show them how the principle was found in their own writings: that one who was rejected—like a stone regarded as unfit to be worked into any part of a building—might in reality be so important that it would still be laid at the very corner and become the most valuable stone in the edifice, the one on which the whole superstructure would rest.

Is become the head stone of the corner—This refers to the principal stone placed at the corner of the edifice.

This cornerstone is usually one of the largest, most solid, and most carefully constructed stones in the edifice. Of course, a stone would be needed at each corner of the building to provide firm support.

However, there is usually one particular stone placed at a corner of an edifice that is larger and more carefully made than the others. This special stone is often laid with imposing ceremonies and prepared to contain whatever is thought necessary to deposit in the foundation of the building, so as to preserve for future times the names of the builders or express the design of the edifice.

Such a position the one who had been rejected was to occupy in the civil polity of his country; such a position the Lord Jesus eminently occupies in relation to the church (Ephesians 2:20).