INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 117
Psalm 117 is the middle Chapter in the Bible. It is also the shortest and "sweetest" Psalm, full of "amazing truths".
"It is very little in letter but exceedingly large in Spirit......it calls upon all mankind to PRAISE THE LORD." Charles Spurgeon
"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him all you peoples." Psalm 117:1 (NIV)
This is the second last of the Egyptian Hallel Psalms, which were sung before and after the Jewish Passover Meal. We remember that Jesus sang this SONG OF PRAISE with His disciples in the Upper Room on the night of His betrayal and address.
The question is not whether WE SHOULD praise the Lord, but WHY SHOULD WE praise Him. I have been studying the Psalms for many years now and David has continually convinced me that this is indeed THE WAY THE LIVE MY LIFE. But, like David, also did in his life, we too often lose our often loose our focus and forget WHO we are praising - OURSELVES, OTHERS or GOD.
"Whether we are in the MIDST OF BLESSING, or in the MIDST OF SUFFERING, you must PRAISE THE LORD., Whether you believe you NEED GOD, or YOU DON'T, you must PRAISE THE LORD, There are NO OPTIONS!" Don Liesemer
"For His UNFAILING LOVE is powerful and HIS FAITHFULNESS endures forever. PRAISE THE LORD." Psalm 117:2 (NLT)
WHO PRAISES THE LORD? - Read Psalm 117:1; Romans 15:7-13
The Psalmists calls "all nations", specifically the Gentiles, to PRAISE THE LORD."
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, Praise Him, all you peoples of the earth." Romans 15:11 (NLT)
Verse 1 was not a regular command to the Jewish people to PRAISE THE LORD, it was a "global invitation". God's salvation went beyond the border of Israel. God's call to the Gentiles and other nations showed that He wants us all to have a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ.
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him, might be saved." John 3:17 (NKJV)
Paul also reminds us that this offer of salvation and eternal life is for both the Jews and the Gentiles. What more do we have to PRAISE GOD FOR? Paul references these verses from Psalm 17 and Isaiah several times, to help drive home "GOD'S REDEMPTION PLAN FOR THE GENTILES."
"Among you also are called to Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints." Romans 1:3&4 (NLT)
"This is what the Psalmist meant when he wrote: "For this I will PRAISE YOU AMONG THE GENTILES; I will SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME." And in another place it is written: "REJOICE WITH HIS PEOPLE, YOU GENTILES." Romans 15:9&10 (NLT)
"And in another place Isaiah said: "The heir of David's throne will come and He will rule over the Gentiles. THEY WILL PLACE THEIR HOPE IN HIM." Romans 15:12 (NLT)
WHY DO WE PRAISE THE LORD? - Read Psalm 117:2
The Psalmist gives 2 reasons why we should praise the Lord:
1. HIS MERCIFUL KINDNESS (LOVE) that is great.
2. HIS TRUTH (FAITHFULNESS) that is eternal.
GOD'S LOVE, MERCY AND KINDNESS
We've been singing about GOD'S LOVE our whole lives. Why do still feel we need to earn it? God's love is different than any other:
* He loves us even when we at our worse.
* He promises to always love us.
* We can never get outside of God's tender love.
When we think about GOD'S GREAT LOVE in sending His Son Jesus to die for us. "we are drawn to PRAISE AND WORSHIP."
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but will have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)
"For His MERCIFUL KINDNESS is great toward us." Psalm 117:2a (NIV)
"God has shown mercy mixed with kindness to the very highest degree. We can all join with grateful acknowledgement and in PRAISE THAT IS DUE." Charles Spurgeon
"GOD'S LOVE is the fountain of all comforts and HIS FAITHFULNESS the fountain of all our hopes. We must PRAISE THE LORD for both." Matthew Henry
GOD'S EVERLASTING FAITHFULNESS
There are many things in this life that will let you down, but God is not one of them. GOD'S TRUTH IS COMPLETELY FAITHFUL! That thought should lead us to PRAISE. God always keeps His promises. Here are just a few:
* Salvation for everyone - when we seek his forgiveness.
* His Second Coming - when we will sing His praises in the New Jerusalem.
"The truth of the Lord endures forever and He keeps His covenant promises. He will keep every single covenant promise to all those who PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM." Charles Spurgeon
"The faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord" Psalm 117:2b (NLT)
The Bible is full of exhortations to PRAISE THe LORD. But why are they so important? PRAISING THE LORD is one thing we can sure we will continue to do in eternity.
"Amen! PRAISE, glory, wisdom, THANKS, honour, power and strength be to our God forever and ever." Revelation 7:12
But let's not wait till we get to Heaven. Let's not HOLD BACK OUR PRAISES each and every day! For God's MERCY, KINDNESS, LOVE, TRUTH and FAITHFULNESS are for EVERYONE - JEW and GENTILE - RIGHT NOW, TODAY!!
CONCLUSION - THANKSGIVING ALL YEAR ROUND - Read 1 Chronicles 16:8-13, 23-26
This Psalm concludes as it began, with another HALLELUJAH - PRAISE THE LORD!
The beautiful hymn: "We Plough the Fields and Scatter" is usually sung in America during their Thanksgiving, and in Church Harvest Festival Services. It could also be a good song, like this Psalm, for Jewish Passover Festivals. David wrote many Psalms to guide his PRAISE AND WORSHIP, but it wasn't only during Passove and Thanksgiving Festivals.
"Give PRAISE TO THE LORD, proclaim His Name, make known among the nations what He has done.......LET THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO SEEK THE LORD, REJOICE." 1 Chronicles 16:8&10
We can also sing these praise songs "ALL YEAR ROUND", when we want to remind ourselves of God's love, goodness and faithfulness. Two centuries ago Matthius Claudius, the son of a Pastor, a German Poet, wrote:
"We thank thee O Father, for all things bright and good.
The seed time, the harvest; our life, our health, our food.
Now gifts we offer, for all Thy love imparts,
But that which Thou desires, our humble, thankful hearts.
All good gifts around us are sent from Heaven above.
Then THANK THE LORD, O THANK THE LORD, for all His love."
Matthias Claudius
We need to BE THANKFUL EVERY DAY, all year round; for God supplies all our needs! PRAISE THE LORD!
"The Hallelu Psalms - Psalm 117" (2018) Brayden & Tayli Wayden (Performers)
"Great is Thy Faithfulness" (1923/2021)Thomas Chisholm (Composer) Don Moen (Performer)
"We Plough the Fields and Scatter" (1782/1861/2020) Matthias Claudius (Composer), Jane Campbell (Translater)
"International Children's Bible", 2015, Tommy Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
"The Holy Bible - New King James Version", 1982, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Alexander, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible - 4th Edition", 2009, Lion Hudson Publishers
Branon, Dave, MacClasland David, "Thanksgiving All Year Round - Hymns: 90 Devotions from Our Daily Bread.", 2014, Discovery House
Henry, Matthew; Mansser, Martin, "New Matthew Henry Commentary", 1714/2008, Zondervan
Ferguson, Rabbi Josh, "The Hidden Meaningof Psalm 117", 2019, StepsofFaithcom.
Liesemer, Don, "A Small Chapter with a Big Truth", 2014, Hockey Ministries
Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary on the Psalms", 1885/2021, Christianity.com
Youssef, Michael, "Empower by Praise", 2022, New Version
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