Chapter Text
Praise the LORD, All Nations
Summary
Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, consisting of only two verses. It calls upon all nations and all peoples to praise the Lord, for His merciful kindness is great toward us and the truth of the Lord endures forever. It closes with Hallelujah.
Meaning
Despite its brevity, this psalm carries immense theological weight. Its call for all nations to praise the Lord is one of the clearest Old Testament expressions of God's universal purpose. The gospel is not for one people alone but for every nation.
Paul quotes this psalm in Romans 15:11 as evidence that God always intended to include the Gentiles in His redemptive plan. The two reasons given for universal praise, God's great mercy and His enduring truth, are the twin pillars of the gospel itself.
The psalm teaches that the simplest praise can be the most profound. Worship need not be lengthy to be complete when it rests upon the inexhaustible realities of divine mercy and faithfulness.
Background
This psalm has no superscription and stands as the shortest psalm and the shortest chapter in the Bible. It is part of the Egyptian Hallel and occupies the mathematical center of the Bible by chapter count.
Its brevity and universal scope have made it a favorite text for missionary theology, and its placement within the Passover liturgy ensured that Israel regularly affirmed God's purpose for all peoples.
Chapter Outline
- vv. 1Universal Call to Praise
- vv. 2The Grounds for Praise
Key Verses
“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.”— 117:1
A universal call to worship that summons every nation to glorify the God of Israel. Paul cites this verse in Romans 15:11 as proof that the Gentiles were always intended to share in the praise of the LORD.
“For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”— 117:2
The reason for universal praise is grounded in two divine attributes — covenant mercy (chesed) and enduring truth (emeth). Together they summarize the steadfast character of God upon which all worship rests.
Prophecy & Fulfillment
Though brief, this psalm carries significant prophetic weight. The summons for 'all ye nations' to praise the LORD anticipates the ingathering of the Gentiles into the worship of Israel's God. Paul quotes verse 1 in Romans 15:11 alongside other Old Testament passages to demonstrate that the inclusion of the Gentiles in the gospel was foretold in Scripture, fulfilling the covenantal promise that in Abraham all nations would be blessed.
Devotional
The shortest chapter in the Bible carries one of its largest visions — a world united in praise. When life narrows our focus to immediate burdens, Psalm 117 lifts our eyes to a God whose mercy extends beyond our circumstances and whose truth outlasts every season.
Two anchors hold the believer steady: kindness that is great, and truth that endures forever. Whatever shifts around you today, these do not. Let praise be your response — not because life is easy, but because God is faithful.
Literary Style
Hebrew lyric poetry in its most concentrated form — the shortest chapter in the Bible. Built on classic synonymous parallelism ('all ye nations' / 'all ye people'; 'merciful kindness' / 'truth'), it follows the standard hymn pattern of summons to praise followed by reasons for praise.