25 August Psalm 117

Praise God for His salvation

God’s love is beautifully encapsulated in Psalm 117, which is not only the shortest, but also the briefest chapter in the entire Bible. Additionally, by some reckonings, it stands as the middle chapter of the Bible.

Psalm 117:1-2(AMP) O praise the LORD, all you nations! Praise Him, all you people! For His lovingkindness prevails over us , and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!)

Remarkably, this chapter encapsulates the message of the 66 books of the Bible, offering praise to God for His great salvation. The phrase Praise the LORD translates from the Hebrew word from which we derive the well-known term hallelujah, intended as a universal response to God.

God is faithful in saving His people, and for this reason, He deserves our praise. His people, comprising individuals from all nations, will find Him faithful to each one of them. In return, all will praise God for His unwavering faithfulness. It is this unshakeable covenantal faithfulness of God that is the overarching theme of the Bible. This fuels our faith, enflames our worship, and sets our hearts ablaze for God.

I conclude with words from Dan Ornstein: “Perhaps we should view Psalm 117 as a divine letter, one in which God swears love and loyalty to us and practically begs us to read its few words repeatedly, in search of messages of love and connection that can bring comfort to us and, perhaps, to all peoples of the world.”