Psalms 117:1 - Meaning and Application

There is a great deal of the gospel in this psalm. The apostle gives us the key to it in (Romans 15:11), where he quotes it to prove that the gospel was meant to be preached to the Gentiles, and would be gladly received by them. That was a huge offense to the Jews, but it should not have been, since they themselves had often sung, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him.”

Some Jewish writers admit that this psalm points to the kingdom of the Messiah, that is, the promised Christ’s rule. One of them even imagined that it has two verses to show that in the Messiah’s days God would be glorified by two groups of people, Jews under the law of Moses and Gentiles under the seven laws said to belong to Noah’s descendants. Together, they would make one church, just as these two verses make one psalm.

Here we see the wide reach of the gospel church. For many ages, God was known and praised only in Judah. The tribe of Levi and the people of Israel praised him, while the other nations worshiped gods of wood and stone (Daniel 5:4). As far as we know, no open devotion was given to the living and true God among them. But here all nations are called to praise the Lord.

This could not fit the Old Testament times. The Gentile nations were not then invited in this way, especially not in a language they could understand. And unless people became Jews and were circumcised, they were not admitted to worship God with them. But the gospel of Christ is to be preached to all nations. Through Christ the barrier between Jews and Gentiles is broken down, and those who were far away are brought near. This was the hidden truth revealed at last, that the Gentiles should share the same inheritance (Ephesians 3:3, Ephesians 3:6).

Notice, first, who is admitted into the church, all nations and all peoples. The original words are the same ones used for the nations that rage and the peoples that plan against Christ (Psalm 2:1). Those who had once been enemies of his kingdom would become willing subjects. The good news of the kingdom was to be preached to the whole world as a witness to all nations (Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:15). All nations are called, and some from every nation will answer the call and become disciples.

Notice, second, how their being brought into the church is foretold, by a repeated call to praise him. The gospel news sent to all nations gives them reason to praise God. The gospel way of worship gives them permission and opportunity to praise God. The power of gospel grace gives them hearts to praise him. Those are greatly favored whom God invites by his word and moves by his Spirit to praise him, and so makes them a people for his glory and praise (Jeremiah 13:11). See also (Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:10).

Second, we see the rich treasures of gospel grace, which are the matter of our praise. In the gospel, God’s mercy and truth shine out most clearly and most helpfully to us. When the apostle quotes this psalm, he points to these as the two great reasons the Gentiles should glorify God, for his truth and for his mercy (Romans 15:8, Romans 15:9). We who enjoy the gospel have reason to praise the Lord, first, for the power of his mercy. His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the word means it is strong or mighty. It is strong enough to pardon very great sins (Amos 5:12) and to work out a great salvation.

We also praise him for the lasting truth of his promise. The truth of the Lord lasts forever. It was pure mercy that the gospel was sent to the Gentiles at all. It was loving kindness shown to them far beyond what they deserved. In that gospel, the truth of the Lord, the promise he made to the fathers, lasts forever. Even though the Jews were hardened and set aside, the promise came true in the believing Gentiles, who are the spiritual descendants of Abraham. God’s mercy is the source of all our comforts, and his truth is the foundation of all our hope. For both, we must praise the Lord.