The Shortest Psalm with the Biggest Celebration: An Illustration for Psalm 117
The final illustration for Psalm 117, celebrating the verse "Praise the LORD, all you nations."
After the undertaking of memorizing Psalm 1 and Psalm 23, I decided to give myself a mental break for my next spiritual practice. I turned to Psalm 117, known famously as the shortest chapter in the Bible. At only two verses, I figured it would be a quick study. And while it was certainly easier to commit to memory, I've come to appreciate it for reasons far beyond its brevity.
There is a wild, celebratory enthusiasm packed into those two short verses. It feels less like a psalm and more like a universal shout of exaltation. It doesn't ask anything of us, nor does it analyze our human condition. It simply makes a bold, joyful declaration. Why should every nation, every person, praise the Lord? The second verse gives the beautiful and complete answer:
"For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever." (NKJV)
What I find so powerful here is the "why" behind the praise. We are called to celebrate God not for what it does for our personal happiness or circumstances, but simply for who He is—for His character. The focus is entirely on His great love and His enduring faithfulness.
That idea became the core of this illustration. It’s a depiction of pure, unselfconscious praise. The goal was to create a compelling, character-driven illustration that captured this explosive joy. The diverse hands, reaching up together, represent the "All you nations," united in a single purpose. The central figure is radiating the kind of happiness that isn't found in circumstance, but in the celebration of a God whose loving-kindness is truly great.
The foundational ink drawing where the joyful expression and energy of the piece first take shape.
This short psalm has become a potent reminder for me. It teaches that our most profound joy, security, and happiness are not found by looking inward at our own personhood, but by looking outward and upward, celebrating the very character of a Lord whose love and faithfulness endure forever.
I'm curious, what does the idea of "praise" mean to you in your own life or creative work? I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments.
P.S. This "Praise" design will be the next addition to the Psalms Collection of art prints, apparel, and stickers. Please consider joining my newsletter for updates!
