The Overlooked Psalms
The Overlooked Psalms
Today reading Psalm 116-118
Psalm 117, "Praise the Lord, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! For His loving kindness is great towards us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!"
There are often two Psalms we frequently ignore, one because it is so short, the other because it is so long. Separated by only one Psalm, the two Psalms stand at the center of the Bible. In today's devotional, I would like us to look at the first of these two psalms, and then on Monday, we shall examine Psalm 119.
Psalm 117 is only two verses (17 words in Hebrew), but in these two verses, we see the central themes that run throughout the rest of scripture. The Psalm begins with a simple call for all the nations to enter into the praise of the Lord. The Psalm begins with a universal command to praise God. The word used is the word that we derive our English word Hallelujah. The word is an imperative that appears frequently in the Psalms (56x), pointing to the vital necessity of praising God. It is more than a simple request; it is a call to a life of praise, central to the expression of our faith. The word itself means to "shout, brag, or boast" about someone or something. This praise is to be verbal and public. One does not properly praise God in the prayer closet at home. Genuine praise is proclaimed publically before others (Psalm 35:18). When we gather together to worship God, we are to brag about God, about what he has done on our behalf this week, and who he is.
The focus of praise is on "the LORD." What stands out in the call to praise is that the Psalmist is inviting all nations and all people to proclaim the praise of the God of Israel. The Psalmist does not use the generic title for God (Elohim), which emphasizes God's creative power and authority over all creation. Instead, he uses the name (Yahweh) that has become synonymous with the covenant God of Israel. The name Yahweh is revealed when God makes a covenant with the nation of Israel in Exodus. Although God made His covenant with Israel (the Abrahamic Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, and the New Covenant), it was meant to impact all nations. Therefore, all nations are called to proclaim and celebrate the covenant God has made with Israel, for it was through Israel that all humanity would be blessed.
The second command is that all people should "Laud Him." The word "laud" is also an imperative and means "extoling the greatness of God and His works." The first command emphasizes God's nature, while the second emphasizes God's activity and works. It challenges us to recognize God's works in the world and in our lives and to give Him public praise as a result.
Verse 2 of this short Psalm now highlights the main reasons we should praise and exalt Him. The Psalmist points to two truths that should always be the focus of our praise and worship of God. The first is for his loyal love for us. The word "lovingkindness" refers to God's loyalty and fidelity to His promises, as well as His commitment to His people. Thus, He treats us with love, mercy, and compassion. God cares deeply about His people, and He is faithful to all His promises that He has given us in His word.
Because he is faithful to us, his word is true and eternal. His word is not limited by time or culture. Although it was written at a specific time and in a particular setting, the principles offer answers for life for people of all cultures and all times. His word is never outdated, never changes, and is always true. It is just as true and relevant today as when it was written to the Jews, and it will remain so for future generations because it proclaims God's faithfulness to his unchanging promises.
This Psalm is more than just a short verse; it is a foundational verse that captures the century-old truth of the entire scripture and establishes the basis for all our understanding of the Bible. Our faith must begin with two core truths: that God is faithful to those who seek Him, and that His word is unchanging and faithful, revealing to us how to have a relationship with Him.
Today reading Psalm 116-118
Psalm 117, "Praise the Lord, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! For His loving kindness is great towards us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!"
There are often two Psalms we frequently ignore, one because it is so short, the other because it is so long. Separated by only one Psalm, the two Psalms stand at the center of the Bible. In today's devotional, I would like us to look at the first of these two psalms, and then on Monday, we shall examine Psalm 119.
Psalm 117 is only two verses (17 words in Hebrew), but in these two verses, we see the central themes that run throughout the rest of scripture. The Psalm begins with a simple call for all the nations to enter into the praise of the Lord. The Psalm begins with a universal command to praise God. The word used is the word that we derive our English word Hallelujah. The word is an imperative that appears frequently in the Psalms (56x), pointing to the vital necessity of praising God. It is more than a simple request; it is a call to a life of praise, central to the expression of our faith. The word itself means to "shout, brag, or boast" about someone or something. This praise is to be verbal and public. One does not properly praise God in the prayer closet at home. Genuine praise is proclaimed publically before others (Psalm 35:18). When we gather together to worship God, we are to brag about God, about what he has done on our behalf this week, and who he is.
The focus of praise is on "the LORD." What stands out in the call to praise is that the Psalmist is inviting all nations and all people to proclaim the praise of the God of Israel. The Psalmist does not use the generic title for God (Elohim), which emphasizes God's creative power and authority over all creation. Instead, he uses the name (Yahweh) that has become synonymous with the covenant God of Israel. The name Yahweh is revealed when God makes a covenant with the nation of Israel in Exodus. Although God made His covenant with Israel (the Abrahamic Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, and the New Covenant), it was meant to impact all nations. Therefore, all nations are called to proclaim and celebrate the covenant God has made with Israel, for it was through Israel that all humanity would be blessed.
The second command is that all people should "Laud Him." The word "laud" is also an imperative and means "extoling the greatness of God and His works." The first command emphasizes God's nature, while the second emphasizes God's activity and works. It challenges us to recognize God's works in the world and in our lives and to give Him public praise as a result.
Verse 2 of this short Psalm now highlights the main reasons we should praise and exalt Him. The Psalmist points to two truths that should always be the focus of our praise and worship of God. The first is for his loyal love for us. The word "lovingkindness" refers to God's loyalty and fidelity to His promises, as well as His commitment to His people. Thus, He treats us with love, mercy, and compassion. God cares deeply about His people, and He is faithful to all His promises that He has given us in His word.
Because he is faithful to us, his word is true and eternal. His word is not limited by time or culture. Although it was written at a specific time and in a particular setting, the principles offer answers for life for people of all cultures and all times. His word is never outdated, never changes, and is always true. It is just as true and relevant today as when it was written to the Jews, and it will remain so for future generations because it proclaims God's faithfulness to his unchanging promises.
This Psalm is more than just a short verse; it is a foundational verse that captures the century-old truth of the entire scripture and establishes the basis for all our understanding of the Bible. Our faith must begin with two core truths: that God is faithful to those who seek Him, and that His word is unchanging and faithful, revealing to us how to have a relationship with Him.
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