Psalm 117 (KJV)
1 Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
The shortest psalm in the Bible
The Shortest Psalm in the Bible
In the Book of Psalms, there is a gem of a verse that is often overlooked due to its brevity. Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, but despite its length, it packs a powerful message that holds deep meaning for believers. Let’s explore some of the biblical meanings behind this tiny yet impactful psalm.
1. Praise and Worship
Psalm 117 is a call to all nations and peoples to praise the Lord. It serves as a reminder that God’s love and faithfulness extend to all people, regardless of nationality or background. This psalm emphasizes the universal nature of God’s love and the importance of giving Him praise and worship.
Psalm 117:1-2 – “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.”
2. Unity in Christ
Despite our differences, we are all called to come together in unity to worship the Lord. Psalm 117 highlights the importance of unity among believers and the need to set aside our individual differences for the greater purpose of praising God.
Psalm 117:1 – “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.”
3. The Greatness of God’s Love
Even in its brevity, Psalm 117 beautifully encapsulates the magnitude of God’s love for us. The psalmist emphasizes the greatness of God’s love and His enduring faithfulness towards His people. It serves as a reminder of the incredible depth of love that God has for each one of us.
Psalm 117:2 – “For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.”
4. A Call to Action
Psalm 117 serves as a call to action for believers to praise the Lord. It reminds us of our purpose as followers of Christ and encourages us to continually lift up His name in worship and adoration. This psalm challenges us to be active participants in glorifying God.
5. A Reminder of God’s Faithfulness
In just two short verses, Psalm 117 reassures believers of God’s unwavering faithfulness. It reminds us that no matter what we may face, God’s love and faithfulness endure forever. This psalm encourages us to trust in God’s promises and lean on His faithfulness in all circumstances.
6. A Universal Message of Hope
Psalm 117 carries a universal message of hope and salvation for all people. It proclaims the goodness of God and His enduring love for humanity. This psalm serves as a beacon of hope for believers and a reminder that God’s love knows no bounds.
Psalm 117 the Shortest Psalm in the Bible
In my research for this post I discovered a fair number of divergent opinions on the exact number of verses and chapters in the Bible. There are many good reasons for this — including the many variations of modern translations of the Bible.
Compare the text shown in the photo with the text below. It is different. The original King James Version (KJV) which was completed in 1611 is considered the most authoritative of the English translations in use today. It is the basis of the figures quoted here.
Some noteworthy and remarkable facts are floating around in my head regarding Psalm 117.
There are 1189 chapters in the Bible. The very center chapter of the Bible is the 595th chapter. This is Psalm 117 which also happens to be the shortest of Psalms or chapters in the Bible.
Psalm 117
1. O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him all ye people.
2. For his merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.
What about verses? According to Snopes, there are 31,174 verses in the Bible. So, being an even number, the 15,587th and 15,588th verses are the central verses. They are verse 8 and 9 in Psalm 118. The notation for verse 9 in Psalm 118 is Psalms 118:9, which is the total number of chapters in the Bible, 1189. These two verses read:
Psalm 118
8. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
9. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
The very next Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the Bible. What does it mean? I don’t know, but I find it interesting none the less.
3 Powerful Truths in the Shortest Psalm
Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
Just two verses, approximately thirty words.
But the message is power-packed.
“Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.”
1. God deserves enthusiastic praise.
Have you praised God today?
“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3.
2. God’s love toward us exceeds all expectations.
Have you told God you love Him today?
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us…as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” 1 John 3:1, Psalm 103:11
3. God’s faithfulness is endless.
Have you added this truth to your problems today?
“For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5.
No wonder Psalm 117 begins and ends with the same words! They’re worth repeating!
Praise the Lord!