I have heard the same line in a few hip hop songs: "I am the stone that the builder refused". What does that reference, and where is it from?

It's from the Bible and is in reference to Jesus Christ.

"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?" Matt 21:42 KJV

However, I'm not sure how the hip hop artists are using this phrase and what meaning they're trying to convey.

None of the answers truly answer the question yet. They are merely addressing only one part of it and NOT the question that the asker wanted answered. Yes, it is a play on a scriptural verse in the bible used to describe Jesus Christ but in the context of contemporary hip hop it is also used is a revolutionary metaphor for a new concept of black culture and people in western society. Historically, Black people within the diaspora, especially African Americans have often used biblical scripture and references as a vehicle to communicate revolutionary concepts about our place and experience living within a society ruled by a majority "other". There has also been a strong connection within the diaspora of feeling a connection through shared experiences with the people in the Bible(for example, Moses and the Hebrew people provided a strong message of hope for African Americans during slavery) Further, it's a reference to the anti-establishment(as some believe it) perhaps anthropological truth(as many scientists from all disciplines have come to believe) idea that Jesus would have been considered black by western culture thereby making those of African descent share a cultural/racial link with the King of Kings. This would also refute the dogma of western civilization that everything of a positive perspective in Christianity is white.

Its a heavy statement in a rap song because contemporary rap has strayed so far from its culturally centered political roots morphing into so much silly party junk. Perhaps, thats why it catches the ear of so many who happen to watch the show. It goes along with one of the prevalent messages in the show: "Jesus is black, 9/11 was a hoax...etc." and therefore was an apt choice for the opening.

In looking for an answer for a question that i had, i came across your's. Your question deserves better answers than you recieved. I cant speak for that other individual but i can say that i am involved with freemasons, and there truly is a limit as to what i can share. The line you refer to has reached prominance in rap lyrics due to the opening theme song on the cartoon "The Boondocks". The song is sprinkled with black culture and relgious references such as classic christianity and a line of the teachings from the 5% nation. the song goes as follows.......

"I am the stone that the builder refused
I am the visual,
the inspiration,
that made lady sing the blues

I'm the spark that makes your idea bright
the same spark
that lights the dark
so that you can know your left from your right

I am the ballot in your box
the bullet in the gun
that inner glow
that lets you know
to call your brother "sun"

The story that just begun
the promise of what's to come
and imma remain a soldier
til' the war is won (won)"

this song takes that line in a reference to the bible. That line in and of itself speaks to Jesus Christ's becoming the head of the revolution which took form of the christian uprising.

"The stone that the builders rejected
has become the head stone of the corner."
psalm 118

i hope i've helped.

It's from the Bible... a look at the first 6 Google results shows it's from Psalm 118. I think it goes, depending on the translation, "The stone the builder refused became the chief corner stone". I believe it's interpreted as Jesus' being rejected by the Jews and becoming the cornerstone of God's new covenant w/ humanity.

my interpretation of the lyric is not quite as complicated... i have taken the meaning to be a nod to the psalms: that the speaker was cast aside, perhaps thought not good enough (by someone, society, The Man, whoever), but like christ, is rising up above, being so much more than just the single stone.

it's a great song and show.

lol. for freemasons you have no idea how stone building works. fail on your cult.

a cornerstone is a foundational stone that all other stones or bricks in the building are set to. it's the reference from which all the building occurs so if it's off, the building will be off. a cornerstone is special and has to be made of and constructed in a special way. when it comes to quarry rock, a stone used for the cornerstone is of a different makeup than the rock which you would use for building so it's not generally considered suitable for construction so a builder would normally refuse it if not for a cornerstone. the verse in the bible also refers to that stone as the capstone. a capstone is the very top stone in an arch. as it pushes down, it solidifies the arch and makes it strong. a weak capstone would break as it supported the arch weight pushing up and the weight of the building pushing down. therefore, it has to also be of a special design and makeup. it would be too heavy to be used in normal construction and so refused except for the construction of an arch which requires a stone like that. it's also of a much different shape which generally cannot be salvaged to be used for just another brick.

so in terms of the bible, it's basically saying that the church rebuked and rejected jesus. they had him crucified. but through that, he became the foundation and future of the church. the line from psalms is almost like a prophesy of things to come because king david wrote it much before the coming of christ.

all christianity which includes the new testament as part of it's canonical text identifies with the coming of christ which signified a change in the belief system of jewish thought. old testament work generally spoke of the law and how you had to follow it to lead a life that would get you into heaven. with the coming of jesus though, he signified a religion of grace. that basically, you could never lead a perfect life because only jesus was perfect so all other sin would greatly fall short of jesus. but by believing in him and what he did, you would recieve the grace his death since he died for our sins. get it?

It refers to Masonry...Free Masons that is.

"I am the stone that the builder refused" is a biblical reference.

The stone that the builder refused becomes the corner stone. What was treated as low, now has a high place..

Psalm 118
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

I believe the reference in hip hop music comes from a Bob Marley quote regarding the scripture reference. "The stone that the builder refused, will always be the head cornerstone." -Bob Marley.

The theme song for the animated show "The Boondocks" is obviously referencing the Bob Marley quote. Huey is the "stone the builder refused."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDWEcFqILoo

This is the song