Psalm 117
Psalm 117 calls all nations to praise YHWH because his loving kindness is great and his faithfulness endures forever.
An unnamed psalmist calls every nation and people to praise YHWH. The call reaches across national boundaries, while the reason for praise comes from God's loving kindness toward the community whose voice the psalm expresses. His faithfulness endures forever. No author, date, or particular event is identified. In just two verses, the psalm moves from a worldwide summons to its grounds, then closes with another call to praise.
Romans quotes Psalm 117's call to the nations as part of its account of Gentiles joining in praise of God. Isaiah and Revelation share the theme of nations worshiping YHWH, extending the same worldwide scope found in this brief psalm.
After reading the whole chapter
How does the call to all nations shape your understanding of who belongs among God's worshipers?
Write on thisWhat in your life comes to mind as you read about God's enduring faithfulness?
Write on thisQuestions people ask about Psalm 117
Who wrote Psalm 117?
Psalm 117 does not name its author or give a historical setting. Its communal language and repeated calls to praise fit public worship, though the text does not identify a particular ceremony. Assigning it to David or to a specific event would go beyond what the psalm says.
Why does Psalm 117 call all nations to praise God?
Verse 2 supplies the reason: YHWH’s loving kindness is great, and his faithfulness endures forever. The opening command addresses all nations and peoples without naming exceptions. The psalm connects the community's experience of God's kindness with a call for praise that reaches the whole world.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).