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)
I love this Psalm! I love how this Psalm is a call for Jews and Gentiles to praise the Lord! I love how great in this verse is a Hebrew word which means more than large or superior. “In Hebrew the word has the sense of someone or something having prevailed over something else because of his or its superior qualities” (J. Boice, Psalms Volume 3, p. 952). Here the word great means prevailing.
For example in Genesis 17:11 As long as Moses’s hands were raised, the Israelites were winning (prevailing) over the Amalekites. Also Genesis 7:18 and Psalm 65:3 are examples of great meaning prevail. “The point is that when this word is used of the love of God for his people, it also has the thought of God’s love prevailing over any obstacles or enemies” (Boice, p. 953).
Another word in this Psalm that speaks to me is that faithfulness here means amen. This could be translated truth. Amen can mean firm and unshakable. Jesus is quoted using this same word with “Truly, truly.” God alone is truly unshakable! As Boice says, “Strictly speaking, in this verse it is the faithfulness of God that endures forever and the love of God that prevails” (p. 954). The Lord’s love prevails because He does not lie nor change His mind. He can be trusted. Amen!
“Can you say, “I have found that God’s love is indeed great and prevails and that his truth endures forever. Amen.”? If so, you will say as the psalm does, “Praise the Lord.”” (Boice, p. 954).
Father God, may we praise You together and individually. Lord, thank You that Your love and faithfulness prevail regardless of what we think, see or feel. Lord God, thank You that You are Just. Thank You that You are faithful and true! Lord, may we praise You even when it is hard and inconvenient. May we never forget that You are in control. May we never forget that who You are and what You stand for and require does not change, even when society does. Bless this reader with the peace of Your presence. May they call on You today, may they praise You today. Lord, may we never forget that our chief purpose in life is to glorify You! May we live out the mission of this Psalm for all nations and peoples to know and praise You! Thank You Holy Trinity for the gift of salvation. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.
Blue Collar Theologian 
As for me, I know I am alive, vertical, and breathing because God prevailed over me. Left to myself, I know where I would be. Grateful. God’s Grip- Alan
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Well said! Thank you for taking the time to read this! Love and blessings to you and yours, Mandy
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Amen to all of your post!
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Hi Bruce! Thank you for taking the time to read this! I appreciate it! Blessings, Mandy
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Thanks for a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness. Although the Ephesians chapter talks of “the shield of faith,” Psalm 91 says that His faithFULNESS is our shield and fortress. While my faith may be the size of a mustard seed at times (and according to Jesus, that’s enough to move mountains!) I love that I am also shielded by His faithfulness, which is infinite. We are well covered!
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Hi Ann! I did an exegetical project on Psalm 91, thank you for mentioning this! You are so right that “we are well covered!” Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! I appreciate YOU! Blessings, Mandy
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I have heard someone say that Psalm 91 is the one the devil hates the most. I’m not sure how anyone would know that, but I do know that when I sang it while my friend was being prayed for, she was healed by the end of the song.
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Prevailed! I love how that word is woven throughout this blog with encouragement! Praise the LORD!
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Hi Cecilia! Thank you for taking the time to read and respond, I really appreciate it! I hope you had a great day praising our Lord! Blessings, Mandy
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Wow! Excellent. Love this: “May we live out the mission of this Psalm for all nations and peoples to know and praise You! Thank You Holy Trinity for the gift of salvation.”
Blessings.
Michael Wilson
Christian Training Center
lifeisrelationships.wordpress.com
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Awesome!
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RE: How are you doing?
I am doing well. Just busy with ministry. Going to be teaching for our monthly couple’s meeting Friday night and also our Saturday monthly potluck on top of everything. You describing your class makes sense the “theory” part, before dealing with the text of the Word =)
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