Psalm 118 vv. 21-26
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
118: Palm Sunday
One day to celebrate the King
with palms and psalms and confidence restored,
with all his followers across the board,
with children dancing, shouting ‘Praise the Lord!’
as if it was the final word – no crucifixion.
One day to celebrate the King
before the gates of hatred start to close,
before the hosts of hell begin to rise,
before the powers of darkness fix their gaze
on Jesus with the evil eye of crucifixion.
One day to celebrate the King
in all his wonder, glorious in his names,
in all his work we magnify in hymns,
in all his wisdom, learning from the psalms
that anchored him through pain of death by crucifixion.