Praise the Lord!

What would you say is your chief characteristic? Are you funny? Thoughtful? Determined? Hard working? Unbearably dull? (I hope not). It wouldn’t take long to ask a few friends what “one word” best describes you. I hope this is something that you care about. Not that you are so controlled by what other people think that it cripples you, but that having a good reputation is something to be valued! 

Maybe you have a mentor or a personal hero that you look up to and seek to emulate in your thoughts, words, and deeds. A godly role model is an essential person to have in your life! 

The psalmist in Psalm 117 desired for the people of God to look at Him and praise Him for some of His most wonderful characteristics. We will spend the remaining article looking at a two of them.

“Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! (Ps. 117:1)

Right off the bat we have two instructions: praise Him and extol Him. These two words are obviously similar, but there is a slight distinction. To praise someone is to verbally show one’s admiration for something they have done. To extol someone is to glorify them for a mighty deed or wonderful action. The Psalmist calls on all the nations and all the peoples in those nations to praise and extol the Lord God. But why is He so deserving of this applause? 

“For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.” (Ps. 117:2a)

Our God is steadfast in His love. I can fall into the trap of sometimes thinking that God forgives me, or even blesses me because He is somehow obligated due to my own overinflated feeling of self-worth. Ever been there? No God is not obligated to forgive or bless us because of who we are naturally. The story of Scripture reveals that God has obligated Himself to lead and guide His people ultimately for the sake of His own great name! (Ps. 23) God will remain steadfast for His people, not based on their merit, but on His.  The psalmist praised God’s steadfast (loyal) love toward His people. Where would we be apart from God’s loyal and committed love for an often-unworthy people? My mind is drawn to a line from Robert Robinson’s hymn Come Thou Fount, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” 

Our God is faithful in His commitment. I can be faithful to an obligation or a person when the conditions are right. But when I am down, tired, worn out, or even sick, couldn’t they leave me alone until I feel better? The Lord never needs a sick day or takes “personal time” to recuperate. He is faithful to His own, and His faithfulness endures forever. 

 “Praise the Lord!” (Ps. 117:2b)

The psalmist returns to His initial cry. For the Lord’s character of steadfast love and eternal faithfulness, praise Him! 

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