It holds out a promise of future glory to the impoverished remnant of the Jewish people returning from exile. This hope looks beyond the limitations of self-centered nationalism and sees the Jewish nation as an instrument of salvation for the entire world. This is the shortest of all the psalms, consisting of only these two verses. It is an invitation for all humankind to praise God because of the works of his mercy. The response reflects the mission of God s chosen people to be an instrument of salvation to the whole world.
Faith is easy when everything is going well.
Under persecution or even under the crises that hit every life a strength born of training and discipline is needed to insure its survival. We have the example and wisdom of our ancestors in faith as a precious heritage to encourage us.