Click here to read PSALM 117 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 117 is in the Deuteronomy Book of the Psalms (Psalms 107-150). These 44 Psalms, like the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, show God’s Word as the source of salvation, deliverance, and healing. This would be fully carried out in the life of the coming Messiah, the living Word, Jesus Christ. Psalm 117 (the shortest Psalm) declares that the Lord is to be praised by all nations for His loving kindness, grace, and truth. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be a savior not only to Israel, but to all the nations.
Psalm 117 is the fifth of six “Hallel” (praise) Psalms (113-118). They were an important part of the Passover meal ceremony. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung before the meal after two cups of wine had been drunk. Then Psalms 115-118 were sung.
Structure
(Verse 1) Praise the Lord, all you nations and people
(Verse 2) His merciful kindness is great to us
(Verse 2) His truth is forever
(Verse 3) Praise the Lord
Key Scriptures
Verse 1—“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.” This verse is quoted in Romans 15:11: “And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.”
The immediate context in Romans shows that Jesus Christ is a savior to both Judeans and Gentiles. Romans 15:8,9: “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.”
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
