Psalm 117: A Short Psalm of Praise and Return
The shortest Psalm in the Bible, Psalm 117 focuses on praising the Lord and reflecting on the return of the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It highlights God's merciful kindness and enduring truth. The historical context includes Cyrus allowing the Jews to return, the challenges faced during the temple's rebuilding, and the eventual completion of the temple under Darius the Great's rule.
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Presentation Transcript
Psalm 117 Background The shortest Psalm in the Bible
Laud NKJV; NASB; ASV Extol ESV Gentiles NKJV O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalm 117:1 2 KJV) ha lal- praise, boast in Thus says the LORD, Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23 24 NAS95)
Psalm 117 Background The time of its writing
Psalm 117 The Return Cyrus, king of Persia, made a decree in his 1st year allowing the Jews to return to Judah to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem This decree fulfilled the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet Jeremiah This first group of returnees was led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua the high priest
Psalm 117 The Return Rebuilding the Temple The Jews who returned settled in to their home cities and then began the work of rebuilding the temple Cyrus was killed in battle in 530 BC and his son Cambyses took his place on the throne Enemies of the Jews convinced Cambyses that the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple would pose a threat to his kingdom and he ordered work to stop
Psalm 117 The Return Rebuilding the Temple Approximately 16 years passed with no work on the temple Cambyses died and Darius the Great became king in Persia The prophets Haggai and Zechariah called the people to continue the work and the temple was finished four years later (about 516BC)
Psalm 117 Background The Reese Chronological Bible places this Psalm in the period of the return (dedication of the temple) Other Psalms around this period include Psalms 111, 112, 113, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150
Psa. 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. Psa. 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. Psa. 113:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Psa. 146:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Psa. 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. Psa. 148:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Psa. 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Psa. 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Psalm 117 Lessons One could make an argument as to the significance of this Psalm in regard to its brevity, by comparing it to the brevity of life For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4 KJV) Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. (Psalm 90:8 11 KJV)
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:13 17 KJV)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9 KJV) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (1 Peter 4:1 3 KJV)
Psalm 117 Lessons Another point that should be made is in regard to our responsibilities as God s people Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:5 6 KJV) For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV)
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? (Romans 2:29 3:1 KJV) Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men (2 Corinthians 3:1 2 KJV)
Psalm 117 Lessons The Main Point To Be Made
Psalm 117 Lessons Main point Why would the Gentiles praise God? (Isa 13-*28) Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:14 16 KJV) And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 8:14 KJV)
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:8 13 KJV)
Psalm 117 Lessons Main point Why would the Jews praise God? And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 8:14 KJV) But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. (Romans 10:20 21 KJV)
Psalm 117 Lessons Main point Why would the Jew or Gentile praise God? (Rom 11:1-24, 25-36) Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:31 36 KJV) (Rom 12-15)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16 17 KJV)
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. (Romans 16:16 KJV)
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:17 20 KJV)
