There are 150 Psalms in the Bible. Psalm 150 has only six verses. But have you ever counted how many times in those 6 verses we are encouraged to praise the LORD?

But let us turn now to the prophet Habakkuk, the last chapter, verse 17, Habakkuk 3:17.

There we read:

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, …”

We will continue to read of course (verse 18), but let us for a moment stop here. We are told here about figs, grapes, olives, food, sheep and cattle.

And here is a good summary of verse 17 and all the things mentioned, namely ASHES. No figs, no grapes, no olives, no food, no sheep and no cattle. All we can see is ashes. Have you ever been in a situation like that? Maybe you are in a situation like that right now.

But let us read the next verse, Habakkuk 3:18. There it says, “…, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.”

Once more, there are only 6 verses in Psalm 150, but we are 13 times encouraged to praise the LORD. And do we ever need the encouragement, to praise the LORD, especially when we only see ashes.

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” – Psalm 150:6

Praise the LORD!