Psalms 117:1 · Bible study
Psalms 117:1 Commentary: All Nations Called to Praise Yahweh
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore why this shortest psalm calls all nations to praise Yahweh and its significance for the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The psalm summons all nations to praise God because his mercy and faithfulness are revealed in Israel.
- Key words: 'Praise' (הלל H1984), 'extol' (שׁבח H7623), 'nations' (גוים H1471), 'peoples' (אמים H0523).
- Main debate: Whether this is a literal temple call or a prophecy of the Gentile mission; most see both dimensions.
- Theological theme: The universality of God's salvation and the inclusion of the Gentiles.
- Best use: As a call to worship that reminds the congregation the gospel is for everyone, and as a text for missions emphasis.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples!
WEB World English Bible 2000
Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!
KJV King James Version 1769
O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Praise Jehovah, all ye nations, Glorify Him, all ye peoples.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Praise Jehovah, all ye nations; laud him, all ye peoples;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
ALABAD á Jehová, naciones todas; pueblos todos, alabadle.
Louvai ao SENHOR, todas as nações; celebrai a ele, todos os povos.
Louez l’ Éternel, vous toutes les nations,
Lobet den HERRN, alle Heiden; preiset ihn, alle Völker!
Looft den HEERE, alle heidenen; prijst Hem, alle natien!
Lodate l’Eterno, voi nazioni tutte! Celebratelo, voi tutti i popoli!
Chwalcie Pana wszystkie narody! chwalcie go wszyscy ludzie!
Славьте Господа, ибо Он благ, ибо вовек милость Его.
萬 國啊，你們都當讚美 耶和華！萬 民哪，你們都當頌讚他！
Let all the nations give praise to the Lord: let all the people give him praise.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 117:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this shortest of psalms bursts beyond national boundaries to summon all peoples to worship Yahweh. Matthew Henry notes that the apostle Paul quotes this very verse in Romans 15:11 as proof that the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles. Calvin sees the Holy Spirit here predicting the calling of the whole world. Barnes states the psalm expresses God's claim to universal worship. Keil and Delitzsch call it 'one of the grandest witnesses' to the Old Testament's world-wide mission. Spurgeon emphasizes that it is a clear proof against the narrow national bigotry that later infected Judaism. The basis for this universal call is God's loving kindness toward Israel and his enduring faithfulness, as stated in verse 2. The call anticipates the New Testament inclusion of all nations in the people of God through Christ.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The psalm calls all nations to praise Yahweh, grounded in his mercy and faithfulness, and anticipates the inclusion of all peoples in worship.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Who are 'all nations'? | All agreed the phrase includes Gentiles, not just Israel. | Some read this as already including proselytes in Old Testament times; others see it as purely prophetic of the New Testament church. |
| Basis for the call | God's mercy (חסד) and faithfulness (אמת) are the foundation. | Whether this mercy is exclusively toward Israel (as a basis for attracting nations) or already experienced by nations in some measure. |
| Liturgical vs. prophetic | The psalm functions as a hymn of praise. | Is it primarily a liturgical text for temple use, or a prophecy of future Gentile inclusion? Most hold both dimensions. |
| Two different words for praise | The repetition adds emphasis. | Whether 'extol' (שׁבח) carries a nuance of soothing or calming, as Barnes suggests, or simply means praise with a loud voice, as Gill holds. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, yet its reach is vast. In Old Testament worship, Israel's praise was largely confined to the temple in Jerusalem. But this psalm breaks those bounds. The opening word 'Praise' (הַֽלְל֣וּ) is a familiar call in the Hallel psalms, yet here the audience is not Israel alone but 'all you nations' (כָּל־גּוֹיִ֑ם) and 'all you peoples' (כָּל־הָאֻמִּֽים). The second term, אֻמִּים, is an Aramaic form rarely used in biblical Hebrew, suggesting a broadening of scope. The call is grounded in God's acts: his 'loving kindness' (חֶסֶד) toward Israel and his 'faithfulness' (אֱמֶת) that endures forever. Because God has been merciful to his covenant people, all nations are invited to join in praise. Early Jewish interpretation already saw this as a Messianic psalm. By Paul's time, this verse became a key text in the argument that the gospel was for Gentiles as well as Jews (Romans 15:11). The psalm likely served as a brief hymn or doxology in temple liturgy, possibly sung at the opening or close of services (Spurgeon). Its placement in the Hallel (Psalms 113, 118) also signals its role in festivals like Passover. The call to nations is not just for political entities but for every person, as the parallel structure shows. This psalm stands as a bridge between the particular covenant with Israel and the universal scope of salvation in Christ.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants in Psalm 117:1. Some manuscripts attach this psalm to the preceding or following one, but the text of the verse itself is stable across traditions. The use of the Aramaic form ’אֻמִּים is a minor linguistic variation, not a textual corruption.
Reception History
The early church read Psalm 117 as a key prophecy of the Gentile mission, as shown by Paul's use in Romans 15:11. Through the centuries, it has been sung as a brief doxology in both Jewish and Christian liturgy. Reformers like Calvin and Luther saw it as clear scriptural warrant for preaching the gospel to all nations. Its brevity made it popular for memorization and for use in services when time was short. In modern times, it has been a favorite text for missions conferences and for reminding congregations that God's heart extends beyond ethnic boundaries.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Unlikely Audience. The call goes out to 'all you nations' and 'all you peoples.' Not just Israel, but every tribe and tongue. The psalmist envisions a day when worship of Yahweh is not limited to one nation.
- The Urgent Command. 'Praise' (הלל) and 'extol' (שׁבח) are two different verbs, each calling for active, vocal celebration. The repetition emphasizes the intensity of the invitation. This is not a suggestion but a summons.
- The Ultimate Reason. Verse 2 grounds the call in God's mercy and truth. Because God's loving kindness is great toward Israel and his faithfulness endures forever, the whole world is invited to respond in praise.
Five-point outline
- The Call to Praise. The imperative 'Praise' sets the tone. It is a liturgical command that expects a response.
- The Proper Object. 'Yahweh', the covenant God of Israel, now revealed as God of all the earth.
- The Universal Scope. 'All nations' and 'all peoples', no one is excluded. The Aramaic form אֻמִּים suggests even non-Hebrew peoples are in view.
- The Repeated Invitation. The psalm says it twice: 'praise' and 'extol,' showing the importance and urgency of the call.
- The Confident Foundation. The call is not groundless. God's mercy and truth are the solid basis on which universal praise stands.
Illustration hooks
- A short text message that carries life-changing news, this psalm is the Bible's shortest chapter yet announces the global scope of God's salvation.
- Imagine a choir that starts small but grows to include every voice in the world. The psalm is the opening invitation to that global choir.
- A child's simple song of praise can hold profound truth. This psalm, in its brevity, holds the revolutionary truth that God's praise knows no borders.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does our church really believe the gospel is for all people, or do we subtly keep it to ourselves?
- How can we express praise for God's faithfulness to us while also inviting others to join?
- If this psalm was sung in the temple, what does it mean for us to sing it today in a diverse church?
Leading a Discussion
Psalm 117 is the Bible's shortest chapter, but it carries a massive message: God's praise is for every nation. As you begin your group discussion, read the psalm aloud together. Notice how it moves from a command to praise to the reason for praise. The apostle Paul saw this verse as a clear Old Testament prediction that the Gentiles would join in worship (Romans 15:11). How does this shape our understanding of God's heart for the world?
Discussion questions
- Who is called to praise in verse 1? Why is this surprising in an Old Testament context?
- Notice the two different Hebrew words for 'praise' and 'extol.' What does this repetition tell us about the nature of worship?
- According to verse 2, what is the basis for calling all nations to praise? How does God's mercy toward Israel connect to the nations?
- Read Romans 15:8, 12. How does Paul use this psalm to support his message that the gospel is for everyone?
- What barriers in your own heart or church might prevent you from fully embracing the universal call of this psalm?
- How can this psalm become a prayer for God's mission in our world today?
- If this psalm were your only text for a Sunday service, what would you preach about?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 66:1 | For the Chief Musician. A song. A Psalm. Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! |
| Psalms 66:4 | All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name.” Selah. |
| Psalms 67:3 | let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you. |
| Psalms 86:9 | All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name. |
| Psalms 148:11 | kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, |
| Psalms 148:14 | He has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near to him. Praise Yah! |
| Psalms 150:6 | Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah! |
| Isaiah 24:15 | Therefore glorify Yahweh in the east, even the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea! |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke reads this call to praise as addressed to both Gentiles and Jews for different reasons: the Gentiles for the eternal salvation God provides them, and the Jews for their long history as his chosen people, with the redemption from Babylon foreshadowing Christ's worldwide redemption.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that the Hebrew word for praise here can mean to soothe or still, but he forcefully rejects applying that sense to God. We cannot flatter or calm God into changing His anger toward us. Instead, praise expresses our genuine sense of His goodness and reverence for who He is.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin sees the call to praise God addressed to all nations as a prophecy of the worldwide spread of the faith. He argues that this exhortation only makes sense if those nations will actually be gathered into the unity of faith with Abraham's children, since unbelievers are incapable of genuine praise.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator observes that the verse uses two distinct Hebrew words for praise, first addressing all nations and then all peoples. This deliberate variation in vocabulary emphasizes that every group, without exception, is called to honor God in different expressions of worship.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
All nations, praise ye the Lord: all ye people, praise him.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that the call to praise extends beyond Israel to all nations, fulfilled in Gospel times as God calls people from every kindred. The repetition and the shift to a different word for praise urge a loud, eager celebration of the triune God's grace in election, redemption, and sanctification.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB treats this short psalm as a flexible doxology that could close any psalm of similar character. They see it as prophetic, foretelling the spread of God's grace throughout the world, a point the apostle Paul later cites in Romans.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch see this shortest of all psalms as a powerful Old Testament witness to God's worldwide mission, breaking through Israel's national boundaries. They note the psalm's unusual Hebrew word for nations and ground its call in God's overwhelming mercy and faithfulness, which will one day conquer all peoples through Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry reads this psalm as a prophecy fulfilled only in the gospel age. Under the Old Testament, Gentiles could not join in praising God without converting to Judaism. But Christ's coming tears down that dividing wall and opens the praise of God to every nation.
Spurgeon: Treasury of David Baptist 1869
Spurgeon highlights that this brief psalm deliberately bursts beyond national boundaries, calling every nation to praise Jehovah. For him, the passage signals that God's grace and mercy were never meant for Israel alone but would extend to all people, fulfilling the promise that the Gentiles would become his people.