Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

What does this mean?

This is a short song of thanksgiving, sung after God rescued his people from trouble. The psalmist looks at the day in front of him and says it is a day God himself has made, and that they will celebrate it with joy. The verse is a call to rejoice in the day God has given, not a promise that every day will feel easy — it is a choice to be glad in the day, whatever it holds.

What does this teach us?

Joy is a choice you make about the day God made. The psalmist does not wait for a perfect day to rejoice; he rejoices in this day, the one in front of him, because it comes from God's hand.

How can we apply this?

Start today by saying it out loud: this is a day God has made, and I will be glad in it. Then find one thing in this ordinary day to be glad about — a sunrise, a meal, a friend — and let the gladness grow from there.

Related KJV passages

• “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

  Psalm 30:5

• “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD ; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

  Psalm 5:3

• “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

  Lamentations 3:22-23