A reflection on the shortest Psalm

The shortest Psalm is Psalm 117.  It is also, probably the one I read the most.  Before I get started, the Wikipedia article on Psalm 117 conflates “Christian” with “Protestant” (Psalm 117), never mind the fact that Catholics are the original Christians.  I tried to edit it, but my IP has been blocked….in spite of never having edited Wikipedia from my current IP address.  Go edit it. 

Anyway, I try to read a t least one chapter of the Bible a day.  This does not seem like it should take too terribly long.  And, truth be told, usually, it doesn’t. 

But, sometimes, I think we can all be guilty of letting the day get the best of us.  Whether it be writing articles on a website.  Whether it be making videos almost no one watches.  Whether it be taking care of children.  The day gets the better of us.  But, the truth is, just as in prayer, we can always set aside some time for the Word of God. 

And yes, maybe we should be reading the Bible more.  It is, after all, the most important book ever written.  I think even secular historians would have to admit that. 

Even so, there is something to be said for brevity.  Psalm 119, is extremely long (the longest Psalm, as a matter of fact).  So, it’s nice, that relatively close to it, we have a rather short Psalm.  And one, that sums up, I think, how we should think of God. 

“Praise the LORD, all Nations!  Extol him, all Peoples! 

For great is his mercy toward us;

and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever.

Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 117, but you already knew that). 

I think a lot of us don’t give a single thought about God throughout the day, in spite of the fact, this is whom we should probably think about the most. 

But this Psalm, the shortest Psalm, is just so uplifting.  I know a lot of the good book can be a chore to get through (looking at you, Leviticus), so, when we have these gems, we should engrain them to our memory. 

Most of y’all reading this are probably gentiles, and you’ll note something about a book written to a primary Jewish audience.  The Psalmist says to “Praise the LORD, all nations”. 

I looked up the word translated as “nations” can also be translated as “gentiles”.  In other words, ALL the world (Psalm 117:1, go·w·yim).

And I think I know what the Psalmist is saying.    I think he’s saying “be ye gentile or Jew, our God is for you”! 

I think this is something we should remember.  Even if you’re an ethnic mutt of indeterminate ancestry (such as myself).  Praise the LORD!  And, actually, living in the American southeast, we’d probably add an “Amen”!

Bible used* Revised Standard Version Bible, Ignatius Edition, Copyright 2006, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.