How Long Should a Worship Song Be?

Psalm 117

Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm—just 28 words in the ESV, only 22 in the Hebrew text. And it makes me wonder: how long does a song need to be?

This brief psalm issues a clear call to worship: Praise the Lord (v.1), extol Him (v.1), and again, Praise the Lord (v.2). But this call doesn’t stay local. It reaches across borders—all nations, all peoples (v.1). And the reason is just as bold: great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever (v.2).

But is that enough content for a worship song?

Consider the alternative.

What if the Lord’s faithfulness didn’t endure forever? What if He weren’t faithful to Himself? What if the righteousness of the cross—credited to me—lost its value in a thousand years? What if, after ten thousand years of joy in the new heavens, I suddenly stood before the throne to give an account, because God chose to revoke the salvation He once gave? He wouldn’t be unjust; after all, He gave it freely. Couldn’t He take it back?

But He won’t. That’s the point. His faithfulness endures forever. And that alone calls for praise. Not just now, but for eternity.

I will cling to the cross—not just on the day of judgment, but every single day I stand around the throne, beholding the holiness of the Great I Am. I will never grow tired of His steadfast love. I will never reach the end of His faithfulness. I will always have a reason to sing.

Turns out, 28 words is enough. I’ll be repeating them forever.