Can you explain this line?

Question

In Sublime's DJs, "the stone that the builder refuse shall be the head cornerstone" is a cool lyric, and I know it's a cover, but also when I looked up the lyrics online that part of the song was in quotation marks...and I heard it's a Bob Marley quote...so who originally said it, and what do you think it means? I have a theory, but obviously you never know...any info helps! Thanks!

I also guessed that the "builder" represents the general public, so an idea or person that is rejected will end up succeeding, like being the "head"

Answer 1

Bob Marley may have used those lyrics, but he wasn't the first to write them. The first occurence of these words is found in a bible prophecy at Psalm 118:22, "The stone that the builders rejected Has become the head of the corner."  

This verse is explained later in the bible, e.g., at Acts 4:10-12 Peter addressed men who had not accepted that Jesus was the Messiah, saying, "Jesus Christ the Naz·a·rene′, whom YOU impaled but whom God raised up from the dead .... is ‘the stone that was treated by YOU builders as of no account that has become the head of the corner.’"

If you want to learn more about Jesus, the following link goes to an article about him.  Otherwise, at least you know the origin of this quote!  :)