First, truly I am your servant (116:1-19). These are Psalms of praise. The Psalmist was in great distress, even life threatening. There he was brought to call on the Lord for deliverance. That is the place where God revealed his compassion and unfailing love The desperate time was used by God to reveal his salvation and glory. In the light of such glory the Psalmist himself is revealed as the servant of this God, a testimony to his eternal deliverance and love, struggling not with life and death, but to love God and fulfill his calling as God's own. Second, all you nations, all you peoples(117:1-2). While the Psalmist met the Lord in his personal anguish, God had something grander in mind. He would use the Psalmist to proclaim his love and faithfulness to all nations. The Lord wants all nations to praise him.
Application: Lord, thank you for revealing yourself to me in my desperate situation. Help me to live up to your calling and serve your purpose. Use me to proclaim your love to all nations.
One Word: Praise the Lord, all you nations