Podcast Introduction

Today is Wednesday, so we’ll read from the Psalms, chapters 117-118.  I’ll have an introduction for each chapter, and then some comments after the reading. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “God’s Enduring Love."

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: len Rojnic on Unsplash

Comments on Psalm 117

The four aspects of Psalm 117 that Martin Luther addressed in his thirty-six page commentary of this chapter are:

1-Prophecy: the Gentiles will be included in God's plan of redemption!

2-Revelation: the Messiah's kingdom is heavenly and eternal, not earthly

3-Instruction: we are saved by grace alone, not by works, holiness or wisdom

4-Admonition: because of these things we should praise the Lord! 

Psalms chapter 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, and it's smack dab in the center. 

You know what is really amazing about this psalm? The writer wrote something that could not have been accepted by the Jews! Why? Because it says, "Praise the Lord, all nations! Praise Him, all people!"

You see, unless you were circumcised, you could not join in praising the Lord when this psalm was written. 

This chapter at the very heart of the Bible, revealed the heart of God. This was a peek at the Gospel message. Paul, in the book of Romans, chapter 15, even used this short chapter as a proof to the Jews that God's love was for the Gentiles as much as it was for the Jews. That is indeed Good News.

But the message of Psalm 117 doesn't end there. It says, "For His loving-kindness toward us is great. And the truth of the Lord lasts forever." I like the way the KJV says it, "For his merciful kindness is great toward us…" We should praise Him because his merciful loving kindness is great toward us. Do we deserve it? No. But His merciful kindness is great toward us. That is the truth. "And the truth of the Lord lasts forever." It will never change. It will never waver. He won't change His mind. Forever is a long, long time. 

And then the psalm ends with the only response we should have to this life changing truth: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! He deserves our praise. He who created all that is, He who holds your life and mine in his strong right hand loves you and He loves me. And that will never change. Praise the Lord!

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 117-118 NLV

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