1Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
2For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord! 1
We have all been emotionally down in the valley of despair and up on the mountaintop of bliss. Either when our struggles are overwhelming or we feel like we are on the mountaintop, we must remember this Psalm. This Psalm encourages us to praise the Lord. Everybody, from every nation, is being asked to praise the Lord. The exclamation mark gives us the impression that the Psalmist is joyful and focused, that He is praising the Lord with his whole being! When the Lord Jesus is the focus of your whole being, you will not fear the storm around you because you know that you are not alone (He is with you), nor will you be in danger of forgetting Him when everything is going your way.
The Psalmist gives us a reason to praise the Lord. We praise the Lord because the Lord is faithful and His faithfulness endures forever. Nothing can shake it! Nothing will stop His steadfast love toward you. The Lord is committed to you, if you have given your life to Him. In fact, nothing can separate you from Him. His steadfast love is “great”. This word “great” speaks of formidable strength. Nothing is greater than the might of His unfailing love.
Who else do you know that is more qualified to carry you in the storm, or to give you moments on the mountaintop? A second description of His love and faithfulness is that it endures. God’s faithfulness endures. Nothing can outlast His love and faithfulness towards those that are counted as His people. This is what you inherit as a child of God: His strength and endurance. So, remember this Psalm either when you are low in a valley of fear and discouragement, or on the mountaintop. Stop… to praise the Lord. Begin your journey right now in understanding and experiencing the meaning of this Psalm. Your view of life will change as you allow Jesus Christ’s last words to His disciples, “I am with you always”, to permeate your soul. And, like this Psalm, your last words will be “Praise the Lord!”
May His peace be with you,
Pastor Mark
1The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 117:1–2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.