Psalms 117

Praise the Lord

 For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. praise the Lord! ~ Psalms 117:2

Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, but its message is amazingly powerful. It calls all nations and all people to praise the Lord. Not because of our circumstances, but because of who He is. His love is unchanging, His kindness is abundant, and His truth stands forever.

When I was very young, my older sister made this Psalm into a simple song. Because of that, I have been able to remember it effortlessly throughout my life. There have been countless moments when I’ve sung these verses under my breath during difficult times, in moments of joy, or simply as a way to refocus my heart on God.

Just recently, I was once again reminded of this passage when I was going through a rough time personally. I was overwhelmed with stress, battling anxiety, and feeling uncertain about the future. I didn’t feel like praising. But while all the chaos was going on around me, as I was sitting in my car, that simple melody from my childhood came to up from my heart, and I began to sing: “O praise the Lord, all you nations; praise Him, all you people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”

Something shifted in me at that moment. As I sang, my perspective changed. My struggle didn’t seem so big and overwhelming any more and my heart became lighter. I remembered that no matter what I was facing, God’s kindness was still great toward me, and His truth would never fail. My praise wasn’t based on how I felt.  Instead, it was a choice to glorify God, knowing that He is always worthy and always leads me out of my trouble to His victory.

Praise is very important to remember throughout your days here in this world. It isn’t just something we do when things are going well. It’s an act of faith, a declaration that God is greater than our problems. Psalm 117 reminds us that praise is a command for all people. It is an invitation to lift our eyes above our worries and fix them on the everlasting love and faithfulness of our Lord.

When we intentionally praise God, we can expect things to change.  Here is a list of a few adjustment we can see when Praising Him:

• Our focus shifts from our problems to His promises.
• Our faith strengthens and reminds us of His goodness.
• God’s presence is welcomed into our circumstances.
• It helps us find joy and peace even in difficult times.

If you want to make praise a regular part of your life, here are some practical ways to start:

1. Start and End Your Day with Praise

Before reaching for your phone in the morning, take a moment to say, “Thank You, Lord, for this new day.” Before you go to sleep, reflect on at least one thing God did for you that day and thank Him for it.

2. Sing or Listen to Worship Music

Just like my sister’s song helped me remember Psalm 117, worship music is a powerful way to shift our hearts toward God. Find a praise song that lifts your spirit and play it while driving, cooking, or getting ready in the morning.

3. Speak Truth Aloud

Even when you don’t feel like praising, declare God’s goodness aloud:

• “Lord, You are good, and Your mercy endures forever!”
• “Thank You, God, for Your love and faithfulness.”
• “I praise You because You never leave me nor forsake me.”

4. Keep a Gratitude Journal

Write down three things you’re thankful for each day. They can be big or small. Anything from answered prayers to the simple joy of a sunrise. Over time, you’ll see how much God is doing in your life.

5. Read and Meditate on Scripture

Let Psalm 117 be a foundation for your praise. Memorize it, write it on a sticky note, or set a daily reminder to read it. God’s Word reminds us of His love and faithfulness, giving us countless reasons to praise Him.

6. Praise Him in Every Season

Even in hardship, choose to praise. When life is difficult, say, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I trust You. You are good, and I will praise You.” Praise isn’t about pretending everything is perfect, it’s about acknowledging that God is always worthy.

Today’s Challenge:

Today I want to encourage you to take five minutes to intentionally praise God. Whether through a song, a prayer of thanks, or writing in a journal, let Psalm 117 remind you to rejoice in His love and faithfulness. Praise Him, for He is good!

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 117

1 O praise the LORD, all you nations: Praise him, all you people.

2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endures forever.

Praise ye the LORD.