Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Annotated

This translation is from the New American Bible. Other translations are available here. Information about the original Hebrew meaning of what seem to be the key words is provided in blue immediately below the scriptural text.  

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23  

R. (24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice  and be glad.
Give  thanks  to the LORD, for he is good , for his mercy  endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy  endures forever.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice  and be glad.
“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right hand of the LORD is exalted.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice  and be glad.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful  in our eyes.
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice  and be glad.

rejoice = גִּיל = giyl

exult, be glad; be joyful; leap for joy

 

be glad = שָׂמַח = samach

to brighten up; gleesome; cheer up; merry

 

thanks = יָדָה = yadah

laud, praise; to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively;

profess, confess; celebrate

 

good = טוֹב = towb

good, pleasant, agreeable; excellent; rich, valuable in estimation;

appropriate, becoming; happy, prosperous, kind, benign; right (ethical);

welfare, prosperity, happiness

 

mercy = חֶסֶד = checed

goodness, kindness, faithfulness; favour; benevolence; grace

 

exalted = רוּם = ruwm

to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty; set on high; be uplifted; lift up, take up, set up, erect; to be high actively;  to show oneself powerful;  elevate

 

power = חַיִל = chayil

strength, might, efficiency, wealth; a force;  able; virtue, valor; 

might; fitness

 

cornerstone = פִּנָּה = pinnah

a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain:—bulwark, chief, corner, stay, tower

prince of the people

 

wonderful = פָּלָא = pala'

to be marvelous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action; to be beyond one's power; great; singular, distinguished