Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

PSALM 117: ALL YOU NATIONS The Door for the Gentiles

Like a small hinge, the door of salvation to the Gentile nations swings open upon the truth of this microcosmic psalm. Paul quotes it in Romans 15 as a proof that God had always intended his church to be for Jews and Gentiles alike. It is a ‘Hallelujah addressed to the heathen world 1 .’ ‘It may be worth noting that this is at once the shortest chapter of the scriptures and the central po- sition of the whole Bible 2 .’ Luther says of the psalm: ‘This is a short, easy psalm, doubtless made this way so that everyone might pay more attention to it and remember what is said. No one can complain about the length or content, much less about the sharpness, difficulty, or profundity of the words. Here we can find only short, precise, clear and ordinary words, which everyone can understand if he will only pay attention and think about them 3 .’ There are only 16 Hebrew words used in its composition yet it re- veals the nuclear plan of God for all the nations of the earth; he desires them to experience his love and faithfulness as they enter a worship relationship with him. Although it is divided into two main thoughts, it needs no outline. The first “Praise the Lord” is the familiar Hebrew word “Hallelujah” while the second sentence be- gins with a different word for praise “Shabach” . This is ‘a word which is more frequently used in the Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic languages; and signifies the celebration of the praises of God with a high voice 4 .’ Even in the use of words God is inviting the Jew first and then the Gentile into a wor- ship relationship with himself. Many translations reflect this difference by using a different word for praise in the second sentence: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples.” (NKJV) Also the word for “nations” in the first sentence is used only here in the Bible and denotes a total inclusiveness of all the races and families. This makes this psalm very unique and gives it great authority to call the nations to faith in God. This is an ‘imperatival’ psalm, meaning it is a command not a suggestion. There is a powerful connection between praising God and the proclamation of his salvation through Jesus. Paul quotes this ‘anonymous’ psalm in Romans 15 along with writings from three of the greatest authors of the Old Testament as proof that God loves all the people of the world and desires to include them in his kingdom; ‘all peoples without distinction, and all nations without exception 5 .’ His argument is irrefutable as he quotes David, Moses and the mighty Isaiah. Nestled among these giants is this lit- tle pearl with its unique and powerful words: “Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. And he came so the Gentiles might also give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: • (David)- ‘I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praise to your name.’(Psa. 18:49) And in another place it is written, • (Moses)- ‘Rejoice, O you Gentiles, along with his people, Israel.’ (Deut. 32:43) And yet again, • (Anonymous Psalm 117!)- ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise him, all you people of the earth.’ (Ps. 117:1) And the prophet Isaiah said, • (Isaiah)- ‘The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hopes on him.’ (Isa. 11:10) (Rom. 15:8-12) “Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth.” (1)

The call to the nations again is clothed in the garments of praise. Worshipers and evangelists need to unite their efforts.

This truth carries into the New Testament and there reaches its greatest expression first in the min- istry of Jesus and then in the ongoing work of his church. • Jesus and the Canaanite woman- After her request for the healing of her daughter was rejected by both his disciples and Jesus: “I was sent only to help the people of Israel–God’s lost sheep–not the Gentiles.” The Gentile Canaanite woman falls upon the truth of Psalm 117: “But she came and wor- shiped him and pleaded again, ‘Lord, help me!’” that was a factor in activating the merciful love of God… ’ Woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘your faith is great. Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was instantly healed.” (Mt. 15:24, 25, 28)

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