Psalm Devotional
Boast in the Lord!
Good things do, indeed, come in small packages. And it is humbling to know that we will spill more ink in explanation than the psalmist did in exultation. Still, even small gifts must be opened and unpacked.
The Pinnacle of Praise. The theme of public praise continues in Psalm 117 as part of The Hallel, which means “The Praise” (Psalms 113–118). The Old Covenant saints used these in their major festivals, including the Passover. Therefore, Jesus sang the songs that spoke of Him (Luke 24:44), and He did so immediately prior to His final sufferings.
This psalm is the most complete summary of the psalter, which itself is a summary of the Scriptures as a whole. Therefore it urges, with both invitation and command, the praise of God (vv. 1-2). And it deals with three subjects: what praise is, who must praise, and why we must praise the Lord.
