I am so used to the idea that we honour God that I don’t think much about God choosing to honour his people. Yet in Psalm 148 we read,
He has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones— the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 148:14NLT)
I am used to living in dishonour; I could never do anything right as a child. It is a challenge to receive honour, let alone from God. He has spent years training me not to hide from such situations.
Of course, the primary thrust of this psalm is that we honour and praise God. The writer goes through every element of creation he can think of declaring that each should praise the Lord. This praise is justified-
Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! (Psalm 148:13NLT)
Maybe it is with this thought that the Lord honours, for he honours his faithful ones, those close to him who have learned to live through his grace and praise him for all they have seen him do.
He honours people by making them strong. This strength enables people to stand when all expect them to fall. I think of situations where people who despised me were forced to re-evaluate their opinion after seeing something they valued that God had given to me or to others through me.
I think of Jesus dishonoured on the cross bringing salvation to all through that cross.