Psalm 117

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 117

This psalm is short and sweet; I doubt the reason why we sing it so often as we do is for the shortness of it; but, if we rightly understood and considered it, we should sing it oftener for the sweetness of it, especially to us sinners of the Gentiles, on whom it casts a very favourable eye. Here is, I. A solemn call to all nations to praise God, Ps. 117:1. II. Proper matter for that praise suggested, Ps. 117:2. We are soon weary indeed of well-doing if, in singing this psalm, we keep not up... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 117:1-2

There is a great deal of gospel in this psalm. The apostle has furnished us with a key to it (Rom. 15:11), where he quotes it as a proof that the gospel was to be preached to, and would be entertained by, the Gentile nations, which yet was so great a stumbling-block to the Jews. Why should that offend them when it is said, and they themselves had often sung it, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and laud him, all you people. Some of the Jewish writers confess that this psalm refers to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 117

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 117 The inscription of this psalm in the Syriac version is, "it is said concerning those of the house (or the companions) of Ananias, when they came out of the furnace; likewise it foretells the calling of the Gentiles by the declaration of the Gospel.' Which last is right; for the apostle has quoted it, to prove the Gentiles should glorify God for his mercy, Romans 15:9 . Aben Ezra thinks it concerns only the nations subdued by David; but he quotes R. Moseh, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 117:1

O praise the Lord, all ye nations ,.... The Lord having chosen, and Christ having redeemed, some out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation; and the Gospel being sent and preached to all nations, and some of each being called and converted by the Spirit of God; they are excited to praise the Lord, Jehovah, Father, Son and Spirit, for their several acts of divine grace and kindness towards them, in choosing, redeeming, and sanctifying them; and in favouring them with the Gospel, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 117:2

For his merciful kindness is great towards us ,.... Not us Israelites only, of whom David was, but Gentiles also; or otherwise there would be no force in the reason why all people and nations should praise the Lord: but it respects the time when these should become one people, partaking of the same grace, blessings, promises, and privileges; in which the grace, mercy, and lovingkindness of God, greatly appeared; "it prevailed over us" F16 גבר "exsuperavit", Vatablus; "invaluit", Junius... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 117

The psalmist calls upon the nations of the world to praise the Lord for his mercy and kindness, and for the fulfillment of his promises, Psalm 117:1 , Psalm 117:2 . This is the shortest Psalm in the whole collection; it is written as a part of the preceding in thirty-two of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., and is found thus printed in some ancient editions. The whole Psalm is omitted in one of Kennicott's and in two of De Rossi's MSS. It celebrates the redemption from the Babylonish... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 117:1

O praise the Lord, all ye nations - Let all the Gentiles praise him, for he provides for their eternal salvation. Praise him, all ye people - All ye Jews, praise him; for ye have long been his peculiar people. And while he sends his Son to be a light to the Gentiles, he sends him also to be the glory of his people Israel. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 117:2

For his merciful kindness is great - גבר gabar , is strong: it is not only great in bulk or number, but it is powerful; it prevails over sin, Satan, death, and hell. And the truth of the Lord endureth for ever - Whatsoever he has promised, that he will most infallibly fulfill. He has promised to send his Son into the world, and thus he has done. He his promised that he should die for transgressors, and this he did. He has promised to receive all who come unto him through Christ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 117:1

Verse 1 1Praise Jehovah, all ye nations. The Holy Spirit having, by the mouth of the prophet, exhorted all nations to celebrate the praises of God’s mercy and faithfulness, Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, very justly considers this as a prediction respecting the calling of the whole world, (Romans 15:11.) How can unbelievers be qualified for praising God, who, though not entirely destitute of his mercy, yet are insensible of it, and are ignorant of his truth? It would therefore serve no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 117:2

Verse 2 Thetruth of God, in this passage, is properly introduced as an attestation of his grace. For he can be true even when he menaces the whole world with perdition and ruin. The prophet, however, has placed his mercy first in order that his faithfulness and truth, comprising an assurance of his paternal kindness, might encourage the hearts of the godly. His power and justice are equally praiseworthy; but as men will never cordially praise God until they are drawn by a foretaste of his... read more

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