Psalms Chapter 117
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!
2 For his loving kindness is great towards us. The LORD's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD!
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Psalms Chapter 117 Guide
The fifth song of the Hallel is the shortest in the Psalter. In it in a very deep sense, is fulfilled the saying so common that "Brevity is the soul of wit." It lives indeed with the wisdom of perfect realisation. It is the pure song of the people of Jehovah. It is the song of Israel, the ideal servant of Jehovah.
It is addressed to all peoples. They are called upon to praise and laud Jehovah because His truth endureth for ever. In the long process of the centuries Israel never fully realised this ideal. At last the purpose was consummated in a Person. All the ancient prophecies found in Him their potential fulfilment. In that upper room the song was a solo as to actual experience. By the union of grace and truth, in and through Jesus, the call to praise went out to all nations and peoples. Those who joined Him in the song that night were made able to sing in following days with meaning and with force; and that is the song with which the Church has gone forth ever since to woo and win the peoples to Jehovah. Ere the work of Jesus be finally completed, the Israel of God herself will sing that song perfectly, and the nations and peoples will respond.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Psalms Chapter 117 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- All people called upon to praise God.
Verses 1-2
Here is a solemn call to all nations to praise the Lord, and proper matter for that praise is suggested. We are soon weary of well-doing, if we keep not up the pious and devout affections with which the spiritual sacrifice of praise ought to be kindled and kept burning. This is a gospel psalm. The apostle, Ro 15:11, quotes it as a proof that the gospel was to be preached to the Gentile nations, and that it would be entertained by them. For many ages, in Judah only was God known, and his name praised; this call was not then given to any Gentiles. But the gospel of Christ is ordered to be preached to all nations, and by him those that were afar off are made nigh. We are among the persons to whom the Holy Spirit here speaks, whom he calls upon to join his ancient people in praising the Lord. Grace has thus abounded to millions of perishing sinners. Let us then listen to the offers of the grace of God, and pray for that time when all nations of the earth shall show forth his praises. And let us bless God for the unsearchable riches of gospel grace.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.