Unknown
Psalm 117
Unknown
Scripture (KJV)
1O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.
Summary
Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, yet its scope is universal. It summons all nations and all peoples to praise the Lord, and grounds that praise in two unshakable realities: His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. The apostle Paul quotes this psalm in Romans 15:11 to show that the Gentiles were always included in God’s plan of praise. Though brief, the psalm gathers the whole world into worship centered on God’s loyal love and enduring truth.
The major themes are universal praise, God’s merciful kindness, truth, and endurance. The psalm’s brevity is itself instructive: profound truths need not be lengthy. Practically, it reminds believers that worship is not a private affair but a global summons, and that the basis of praise is not our circumstances but God’s unchanging character. The great lesson is that all nations are called to praise the Lord whose truth endures forever.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 117
O praise the Lord, all you nations; praise Him, all you peoples! Your merciful kindness is great toward us, Lord, and Your truth endures forever. I join the universal chorus of those who love Your steadfast love. Let every tribe and tongue and people and nation join me in praising Your name. When my own circumstances would silence me, remind me that Your merciful kindness is great and Your truth stands forever. Make my life a brief psalm of praise, short in words but wide in scope, that I may join all peoples in glorifying You. Praise the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does the shortest psalm in the Bible challenge my assumptions about worship?
- 2What does it mean that all nations are summoned to praise the Lord?
- 3How does God’s “merciful kindness” toward me fuel my praise today?
- 4How can I join the universal chorus of praise in my daily life?
Related Psalms
Psalm 113
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 113 is the first of the “Hallel” psalms (113-118) sung at Passover and other Jewish festivals.
Read morePsalm 114
“When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;”
Psalm 114 is a short, vivid Hallel psalm that celebrates the exodus with dramatic personification.
Read morePsalm 115
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.”
Psalm 115 is a communal hymn that refuses to take glory for itself, directing all praise to the name of the Lord for His mercy and truth.
Read morePsalm 116
“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.”
Psalm 116 is a personal thanksgiving psalm in which the worshipper declares, “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Read morePsalm 118
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalm 118 is the climactic Hallel psalm, a personal and communal song of thanksgiving that frames and is framed by the refrain, “His mercy endureth for ever.
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