Psalms 117:0 This is the shortest Psalm. All the earth, all the nations, are now called upon to praise, because His merciful kindness has been great towards His people Israel. And their blessing means the blessing of the world. See the significant and interesting verse in Deuteronomy 32:43 , the last note of Moses’ prophetic song. Hallelujah. read more
The first psalm in this lesson is one of the imprecatory or cursing psalms, in the interpretation of which we should keep in mind the principles already stated: (1) that the writer speaks as a prophet; (2) that the enemies are not merely personal to him but enemies of God; (3) that they are not individuals so much as nations; and (4) that they are considered at a time when the incorrigible condition has been reached, and they have become permanently fixed in opposition to the Most High. The... read more
CONTENTS In this short but sweet Psalm, the nations of the earth are called upon to praise God for his mercy; and the people of God are more immediately urged to be active in this service. Psalms 117:0 I cannot find any authority to confirm the Jewish opinion that this Psalm is purposely limited to two verses, to intimate the two nations, Jews and Gentiles, that are to be both brought alike into the privileges of the Messiah's kingdom. But certain it is, some of the Jewish writers confessed... read more
Alleluia is borrowed from the end of the former psalm in Hebrew. Our Saviour and the apostles determine us to explain this solely of the Messias, though should would also see another literal sense, applicable to the victories of David, or of the captives, at their return, over God or Cambyses. (Berthier) --- This supposition seems very probable, 2 Esdras vi. 16. Yet the Jews saw that some passages belonged to the Messias, and were accustomed to use ver. 26., in praying for his manifestation.... read more
The Universal Kingdom of Messiah. The shortest hymn in the Psalter, portraying, in a few words, the Church of God of all times in its relation to Jehovah, the God of salvation. The truth expressed in this psalm, that men from all nations would yet worship Jehovah, as the God who has revealed Himself in the fullness of His redemption for all mankind, is unfolded by Paul, Romans 15:11. v. 1. O praise the Lord, all ye nations, since He is the God of the Gentiles as well as of the Jews, Luke... read more
Psalms 117:01 Oh praise the Lord, all ye nations:Praise Him, all ye people.2 For His merciful kindness is great toward us:And the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.Praise ye the Lord.EXEGETICAL AND CRITICALContents and Composition.—This Psalm, which occupies exactly the middle place in the Holy Scriptures, is the shortest, as far as words are concerned, but is highly important in its Messianic meaning. It contains the lyrical expression of the consciousness of the Old Testament... read more
Praise Him for All His Benefits Psalms 116:12-19 ; Psalms 117:1-2 The psalmist dwells joyfully on his enslavement to God, because in and through it he had found perfect liberty. Thou hast loosed my bonds . They who become enslaved to Christ are set free from all other restraints. See John 8:31-36 . Do not forget to pay your vows! In trouble we make promises, which, when the trouble has passed, we find it convenient to forget. See Genesis 40:23 . Psalms 117:1-2 is the shortest chapter in... read more
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... read more
THE CRY OF FAITH AND JOY‘I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.’Psalms 117:1We shall never, I suppose, know from whose lips and hearts this cry of faith and joy first sprang. One thing is clear—there has been a great danger threatening the very life of a man or a nation. There has been more than danger—there has been the very presence of death; but the hour of suspense has now passed, and the man or the nation survives. Doubt has gone, certainty takes its place, and... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 117:1-2
Psalms 117:1-2THIS shortest of the psalms is not a fragment, though some MSS attach it to the preceding and some to the following psalm. It contains large "riches in a narrow room," and its very brevity gives force to it. Paul laid his finger on its special significance, when he quoted it in proof that God meant His salvation to be for the whole race. Jewish narrowness was an after growth and a corruption. The historical limitations of God’s manifestation to a special nation were means to its... read more