Can you give me 5 key sentences from each section below:
Psalms 117: Let All Peoples Praise the Lord
Psalms 117, though the shortest chapter in the Bible, is filled with powerful meaning and gospel truth. Matthew Henry emphasizes that this psalm prophetically announces the coming inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s plan of salvation. For centuries, Israel alone had the privilege of worshiping the one true God while the surrounding nations worshiped idols or followed false gods. But here, in just two verses, all nations are called to praise the Lord—something that could not fully take place until the coming of Christ. The first verse—"Praise the Lord, all nations; extol Him, all peoples"—is a universal summons. Matthew Henry points out that during Old Testament times, the Gentiles were not generally invited into the worship community of Israel unless they adopted Jewish practices like circumcision. This call in Psalms 117 couldn’t be fulfilled until the gospel age, when the message of Christ would break through every cultural and national boundary. This verse is an early glimpse into the New Testament promise that Christ would break down the “middle wall of partition” and bring those far off near (Ephesians 2:14). In other words, people from every nation, not just Israel, would be drawn into one body—the Church—through Jesus. Matthew Henry explains that this is the mystery long hidden but revealed in the gospel: that Gentiles would become full members of God's family. The very nations that once raged against God (as seen in Psalms 2) are now being called to praise Him. Not only are they welcomed, but they are invited to glorify God joyfully. This is made possible through gospel preaching, gospel ordinances, and gospel grace. The message would give the nations a reason to praise, the structure would give them a way to worship, and God’s Spirit would give them the desire to do so. The second verse gives us the reason for this universal praise: God's mercy and truth. His mercy is described as “great toward us”—meaning powerful and overwhelming. This strong love can forgive even the deepest sins and offer salvation to the least deserving. God's truth, His faithfulness to keep promises, is eternal and unchanging. Though many Jews rejected the gospel, the promise to Abraham—to bless all nations through his seed—was fulfilled in believing Gentiles. So Psalms 117 is a prophetic celebration of the gospel reaching the entire world. It calls every tribe, tongue, and people to worship God for His mighty mercy and His faithful truth that lasts forever. It affirms that all humanity is invited into worship and covenant through Christ. In just two verses, it captures the depth of God’s heart for the nations and His enduring faithfulness to His promises.
Psalms 120: Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes A song of Ascents.
Psalms 120 opens the fifth book of Psalms with a personal and emotional plea for help. Though brief, the psalm carries deep weight as it expresses the pain of being surrounded by lies and false accusations. Matthew Henry interprets this psalm as a reflection of what faithful people often experience in a deceitful world—betrayal from those who should have been trustworthy. This psalm becomes both a prayer for rescue and a warning to those who spread lies. In the first half of the psalm, the writer—believed to be David—describes how he was hurt by people who pretended to be his friends. These weren’t open enemies, but rather those who flattered him with kind words while secretly planning to harm him. These kinds of people are especially dangerous because their true intentions are hidden behind fake kindness. They not only lied to David directly, but they also spread falsehoods about him to others, damaging both his reputation and his safety. Despite how hurtful and threatening this was, David did not take revenge or become bitter. Instead, he turned to God, asking Him to protect him from “lying lips and a deceitful tongue.” His prayer came from deep pain, but also from strong faith—he trusted that God alone could deliver him from such evil. Matthew Henry highlights that this teaches us a vital truth: God has power over all hearts and can silence even the most harmful tongues. There is no deceit too strong for God to expose and shut down. His justice may not always be immediate, but it is sure. In the next verses, the psalm moves from prayer to prophecy. David declares that liars will eventually face God's judgment. He uses strong imagery—“sharp arrows” and “coals of juniper”—to describe what’s coming for those who deceive others. These symbols speak of pain, precision, and long-lasting punishment. Though liars might seem successful for a time, they will ultimately face God’s justice. In the final verses (5–7), David expresses sorrow about living among people who are violent, dishonest, and constantly in conflict. He uses names like Mesech and Kedar—distant, harsh nations—as symbols of how out of place he feels. Though he lived among fellow Israelites, their behavior made him feel spiritually exiled. Matthew Henry explains that this is a common feeling for believers who try to live in truth and peace in a world that does not share those values. David says he is for peace, but those around him only want war. This shows the deep loneliness faithful people can feel, yet it also reminds us that God sees and supports those who truly seek peace and truth. In the end, our hope isn’t in changing the world around us, but in staying faithful until we are with God forever.
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Psalms 117: Let All Peoples Praise the Lord
Psalms 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible but conveys significant meaning, announcing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's salvation plan.
The first verse calls all nations to praise the Lord, which reflects a universal summons that anticipated the coming of Christ.
This psalm foreshadows the New Testament message that through Jesus, all nations would be drawn into one body, the Church.
The second verse highlights the reasons for universal praise: God's great mercy and eternal truth, assuring salvation to even the least deserving.
Psalms 117 serves as a prophetic celebration of the gospel, inviting every tribe and person to worship God for His enduring faithfulness and mercy.
Psalms 120: Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes
Psalms 120 opens with a heartfelt plea for help, expressing the pain of being surrounded by deceit and false accusations.
The psalm reflects the betrayal experienced by faithful individuals in a world rife with lies, emphasizing trust broken by those pretending to be friends.
Despite his hurt, David does not seek revenge but turns to God, asking for protection from “lying lips and a deceitful tongue.”
The psalm shifts from prayer to prophecy, declaring that those who lie will face God's judgment through vivid imagery of punishment.
David's lament about living among violent and dishonest people underscores the loneliness of believers seeking truth in a conflicted world and reinforces faith in God's ultimate support.
