Praising Scripture - Dec 19

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

NAH.1-3
ROM.3

2024 31-Day Praising Day 19:

Praise God’s Steadfast Love and Faithfulness (Psalm 117:1-2)
(Memory Verses: 1-2)

1 Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples!
2 For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

Reflection：
Although Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, it carries profound significance and value. Not only does it mark the center of the entire Scripture, but it is also an exceptionally precious psalm of praise. In just two verses, the psalmist reveals both the breadth and depth of praise. The scope of praise encompasses all nations and peoples, for God is not only the God of the Jews but also the God of the Gentiles (Romans 3:29). Furthermore, the duration of praise is not fleeting but extends across generations and into eternity.
This psalm also clearly states the fundamental reason and central focus of praising God: “For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.” Here, steadfast love (alternatively translated as "mercy") and faithfulness (alternatively translated as "truth") represent God’s revealed attributes and His attitude toward humanity. From Exodus 34:6, when God declared to Moses in glory, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” these divine characteristics have been echoed repeatedly throughout the historical books and prophetic writings, as well as reaffirmed multiple times in the Psalms.
Ultimately, God’s abundant steadfast love and eternal faithfulness were fully accomplished through Jesus Christ, who inaugurated the New Covenant of grace for us. Because of this grace, every time we praise Him, we should not only recognize that He is worthy of praise from all nations and peoples but also specifically extol His steadfast love and faithfulness. He is the covenant-keeping God, who, with unfailing love and victorious truth, has saved us and will continue to save us to the utmost (Hebrews 7:25).
Let us continually praise Him with hearts full of gratitude, giving glory to this loving and faithful God forever and ever.