Christian Photographers Community

Psalm 117

This psalm was revolutionary when it was written, though probably often misunderstood by those who sang it. As is often the case in our own day with religious exercises, it could be sung, early in the morning, and then afterwards those who sang it could leave the temple and go about their daily tasks unmindful of what they had sung.

What wasn't adequately realized was that they were singing an invitation to the Gentile peoples of the world to come and join them in God's kingdom!  Much later, Paul quotes it to show that the Gospel was to go out to ALL nations, and that it was to produce fruit! (Romans 15:7-12, as well as Psalm 18, Deut. 32:43, and Is. 11:1, 10)

So as they sang this song they were inviting all the people of the world to join them in worshipping Jehovah!  They sang, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!  Laud Him, all you peoples!"  Why should they join in?  What benefit would it be to them? The psalmist says,"His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever!"

These are beautiful reasons to accept the invitation!  The first is actually Israel's personal testimony – the Gentiles should join them because Israel's Lord is merciful and lovingkind toward His people!  In other words, "He's been wonderful to us, and He'll be wonderful to you!" The Gentiles (ourselves) need that "merciful kindness,"  and they should therefore gladly accept this gracious invitation! 

Where else in the world could they find such an offer?  Where else could they learn that the sovereign God, the offended God of the universe, is offering MERCIFUL KINDNESS?  Other than this message from Israel, or a similar message from the Church of the living God of New Testament times, the people of the world would only be able to find everlasting damnation - "a certain fearful expectation of judgement, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries!" (Hebrews 10:27)  But here they're being told about "merciful kindness" - in other words, about salvation!

Not only so, but the second reason for accepting this invitation is that "the truth of the Lord endures forever!"  The greater part of the world doesn't even believe there IS any truth, but here is a song about enduring truth!  Here is something they can build on,  a foundation that won't crumble, facts that can and will take them safely into eternity!  Could there BE greater news than THAT?  This song to the poor and needy people of the world says, "Oh come, you Gentiles!  Oh come into the kingdom of a God who saves!  Oh come, you Gentiles, into a Kingdom of real and solid TRUTH that lasts forever!"

Does this mean anything to YOU?  Have you felt the need for merciful kindness from an offended God?  Would you like to know that the Holy God extends grace to you?  Are you still searching, hopelessly, for solid TRUTH?  Search no longer!  The invitation is open until the last day!  COME!

Pastor as this is so short a Psalm I re-read it first before I read your words.  Usually I do it the other way around...

My thoughts were of God's goodness to the Gentile Nations in grafting us onto the Vine and that because He loves us so much He sent His only Son Jesus to make us all One in Him....this sort of fits in with your eloquent words.

His truth endures....."Heaven and earth shall pass away but My words shall not pass away."  Amen.

Jenny 

Thank our gracious Father for His words to us through His apostle Paul, who said, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28).  We are indeed the Israel of God.

Amen...Amen...Amen...

Praise God!

Jenny 

Hi Alan...

What a wonderful message today!  I just said, "Praise the Lord!" when I finished.  Thanks for the good words today that you've shared.


(Did you mean "lovingkindness"?  I get a spelling error for "lovingkind")

I know that "lovingkind" isn't listed, but it is a valid construct of combinable English words, and so I believe it's legitimate.  If not, then I've coined it, and let the pieces fall where they may!