Given how frequently it is cited by modern Christians, it is somewhat surprising to discover that the NT authors did not utilize Psalm 118:24—“This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it” (NASB)—in their appropriation of OT texts. This paper will explore how modern Christians can appropriate this verse, utilizing a hermeneutical approach that is grounded in and bounded by the apostolic hermeneutic discernible in the NT. Accordingly, it will serve as a case study contributing to the development of a method by which any OT text, untouched by the NT authors, might appropriately be connected to its NT development or fulfillment. As an example of typological fulfillment, several criteria will be identified and exemplified through this text. These include at least the following:
• The identification of relevant biblical themes shared by the OT and the NT writers
• The recognition of points of contact between the specific context of a given OT text and the NT context
• The NT use of texts in the surrounding context of the OT text
• The Christological fulfillment of OT themes, applied specifically to a particular OT verse
Accordingly, it will also demonstrate how the OT context should appropriately exercise significant control over its NT application.
The paper will conclude that “the day” spoken of by the psalmist is not just any other day, supplied to this world by its Creator and Sustainer. Rather, drawing on its OT context, it is a day of unexpected victory that Yahweh has granted through the Israeli king for his people—a day for which they ought to rejoice and to return worship. As it is joined with its NT significance, the “day” is found to be the present, victorious reality that God has brought about in the most unlikely of ways—through the crucifixion and resurrection of the Son of David, Jesus. It is therefore a day in which Jesus reigns. But, since this “day” of victory is but inaugurated, it extends throughout this era, until its consummation in the kingdom yet to come.
Contributions of this paper:
• A biblically-sensitive appropriation of this oft-applied text
• The continuing development of a hermeneutical method of replicating the apostolic hermeneutic on OT texts that were untouched by NT writers