PSALMS 117

PSALM 117

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

NASB	NKJV	NRSV	TEV	NJB
A Psalm of Praise No MT Intro	Let All Peoples Praise the Lord	Doxology	In Praise of the Lord	Summons to Praise
117:1-2	117:1-2b	117:1-2	117:1-2b	117:1-2b
	117:2c		117:2c

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

This is the shortest Psalm in the Psalter.
It encourages the Gentiles to praise Israel's God (cf. Psalm 67; 100), the only true God.
SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM
Israel's God is fully revealed in
1. His acts in creation (Genesis 1-2; 6-9)
2. His promises to Abraham (Genesis 12; 15; 18; 22)
  1. land
  2. seed
  3. great name
  4. all families of the earth blessed in him
    SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS
3. redemptive acts toward Abraham's descendants (cf. Ps. 117:2a)
  1. the exodus
  2. conquest
  3. return from exile

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 117:1-2
¹Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!
²For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!

117:1 This Psalm begins and concludes with the Piel IMPERATIVE, "Praise" (BDB 237, KB 248, cf. Psalm 113; LXX, Psalm 116). Psalms 113-118 are called the Hallel Psalms from this root

▣ "Laud Him" This is a second Piel IMPERATIVE (BDB 986, KB 1387, cf. Ps. 147:12) and is a SYNONYM of "praise," v. 1a.

▣ "all nations. . .all peoples" This universal aspect is characteristic of the Psalms (cf. Ps. 22:27; 33:8; 47:1; 66:1,4; 67:3-5,7; 82:8; 96:7-10; 98:4; 100:1).

This is the OT's great commission. Israel was to be a "kingdom of priests" (cf. Exod. 19:5-6) because all the world is YHWH's.

This verse is quoted by Paul in Rom. 15:11, which emphasizes YHWH's inclusion of the Gentiles in the work of Christ (cf. Rom. 15:9-13; note Rev. 7:9).

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

117:2 "lovingkindness. . .truth" These two characteristics of YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD) are often listed together (i.e., Ps. 108:4; 115:1; 138:2).

For "lovingkindness" see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (HESED).

For "truth" or "faithfulness" see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT

▣ "everlasting" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam).

This is an important point because of Israel's repeated faithlessness and idolatry. YHWH is forever faithful but His people are not! He has a larger purpose than just one people/nation (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

How common in the OT is YHWH's love, care, concern, and redemption of Gentiles?
Define hesed (i.e., lovingkindness).
Define emeth (i.e., truth).
How does YHWH's love toward Israel affect the Gentiles?