This one Psalm shows every reader how potent brevity can be
By Dean Collins
We’ve all heard many words during both the pandemic and the election season. Earlier this year the words were both attempting to explain the Covid-19 virus and to give us the protocols to avoid it. There were lots of words from various experts and non-experts claiming everything from the possibility that it was a hoax on one side to it was the end of the world on the other. There will be plenty more words before it’s over. Some of those words will be important, and some less so. And while our health and safety is important, I suspect all of us grow tired of so many words on one topic.
Then there was the election. And no matter who you wanted and who we elected, I suspect we were all ready to be finished with the political ads and verbal warfare of American politics. (I can remember back to wanting it to be over in several previous presidential election years.) But as it turns out, we have at least two more months of likely the most intense and voluminous words as the battle for control in the Senate plays out in Georgia. If you weren’t tired of words yet, you will be.
The Bible has lots of words in its sixty-six books. The blog wordcounter.net says there are 783,137 words in the King James Version of the Bible. For more than twenty-five years I’ve read the Bible through each year (but I moved away from the King James Version many years ago). All of us who have done so have read millions of Bible words. It does seem that, having considered all these words, we might be better at kindness, love, justice, humility, and other kingdom of God virtues, but sadly we are not. Maybe we are called to do more than just read the words.
Simple directive
There is one chapter in the Bible that has only twenty-eight words in just two verses. When I was about twenty years old I memorized the chapter as I wrote a melody to accompany it. A few times when I was a young worship leader I used it during college retreats. My melody never made it to Hillsong or Passion or fame anywhere else in the Christian music industry, but it did solidify these words in my heart and mind.
This wonderfully short Psalm calls for clear, simple, and direct action. And now might be a good time to follow these instructions. They apply no matter where you live and no matter who is the president. These words will lift you up and direct your focus to God and remind you of his faithfulness in all seasons:
“Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117:1, 2 ESV).
The word of God for the people of God reminds us first and foremost to give praise to the Lord. Acknowledge God for who he is. Remember him above everyone and everything. All nations and all people are included in the exhortation.
Remember God above everyone and everything.
God is the creator of all, and Jesus is the redeemer of all. He has been since the beginning of time and will continue to be throughout all eternity. He never goes through an election cycle. He is still King of kings and Lord of lords no matter who is elected in America or leading any country on earth.
And his love is steadfast. It is reliable and continuous. It does not run out. There is never a problem of scarcity with God’s love, nor with his faithfulness. They last forever. He will be there in every season and at every turn. He will never abandon or forget us. His “us” is far more reaching and inclusive than our stingy hearts can grasp. He calls all people to himself and offers himself for all to enjoy and praise.
Words for every season
At the beginning of the day and at the end. In every season and at every time we can, we could, we should, and we must praise the Lord. We will never regret it and our praise of our good and faithful God will lift us far above and beyond the many—the too many—words we hear each day.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 117:1-2 ESV
Photo by Pixabay at Pexels
