Psalm 117:1 kjv
O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
Psalm 117:1 nkjv
Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!
Psalm 117:1 niv
Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
Psalm 117:1 esv
Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!
Psalm 117:1 nlt
Praise the LORD, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
Psalm 117 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 117:2 | For His merciful kindness...and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. | Reason for the call to universal praise. |
| Rom 15:9-11 | And that the Gentiles might glorify God...as it is written, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles... | Apostle Paul's direct quotation to justify Gentile inclusion. |
| Gen 12:3 | ...and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. | Foreshadows universal blessing and inclusion of nations. |
| Isa 49:6 | ...I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles...unto the end of the earth. | God's salvation extended globally. |
| Isa 2:2-3 | ...all nations shall flow unto it [the mountain of the Lord's house]. | Prophecy of all nations coming to God's house for instruction. |
| Zec 8:20-23 | ...many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord... | Prophecy of peoples and nations seeking the Lord. |
| Mal 1:11 | For from the rising of the sun...My name shall be great among the Gentiles... | Prophecy of God's name universally revered among Gentiles. |
| Ps 66:4 | All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee... | Call for all the earth to worship and sing to God. |
| Ps 86:9 | All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord... | All nations created by God will worship Him. |
| Ps 96:3 | Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. | Command to proclaim God's glory and wonders to all peoples. |
| Ps 100:1 | Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. | Broad call for all lands to joyful worship. |
| Ps 145:21 | My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless His holy name... | A call for all humanity ("flesh") to bless God's name. |
| Ps 150:6 | Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. | Culminating call in Psalms for all living things to praise God. |
| Jer 16:19-21 | ...the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth... | Gentiles recognizing and coming to the true God. |
| Rev 7:9-10 | ...a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations...stood before the throne... | Vision of all nations worshipping God and the Lamb in heaven. |
| Rev 15:4 | Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord...for all nations shall come and worship before Thee... | Prophecy of nations worshipping God in the eschaton. |
| Mt 28:19 | Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them... | The Great Commission, directing believers to evangelize all nations. |
| Act 10:34-35 | God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him...is accepted... | God's impartiality towards all nations revealed to Peter. |
| Act 13:47 | I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation... | Paul's ministry focused on bringing salvation to the Gentiles. |
| Eph 3:6 | That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise... | Gentiles are fully included as co-heirs in Christ. |
| 1 Tim 2:4 | Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. | God's desire for all humanity to find salvation and truth. |
| Isa 56:7 | For My house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. | God's house designated as a place of prayer for everyone. |
| Ps 148:11-12 | Kings of the earth, and all people...Let them praise the name of the Lord. | Broad call for leaders and all societal groups to praise the Lord. |
Psalm 117 verses
Psalm 117 1 Meaning
Psalm 117:1 is a direct and imperative call to worship addressed universally. It commands all the nations and peoples of the earth to offer praise to the Lord, YHWH. This concise verse asserts the Lord's supreme sovereignty and His singular worthiness of adoration from all humanity, transcending any national or ethnic boundaries.
Psalm 117 1 Context
Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm in the entire Bible, functioning as a powerful universal doxology. It serves as an emphatic summary of the Psalms that precede it and introduces the collection of Psalms 113-118, known as the "Egyptian Hallel," traditionally sung during major Jewish feasts like Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot. Historically, the invitation for "all nations" (gôyim) to praise YHWH was highly significant and forward-thinking within ancient Israelite religion. While surrounding nations typically confined their deities to specific territories or peoples, this psalm directly counters such a perspective by proclaiming YHWH's universal dominion and worthiness of global adoration. It implies a polemic against the notion that other national gods hold any real authority or deserve worship.
Psalm 117 1 Word analysis
- O praise: The Hebrew word is Hallelû (הַלְלוּ), an imperative form of halal, meaning "to praise, laud, commend, boast." This is not a suggestion but a divine command, conveying an enthusiastic and complete surrender in recognition of God's character. It implies a public and exultant declaration of His greatness.
- the Lord: Refers to YHWH (יְהוָה), the sacred covenant name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His self-existent, eternal, and personal nature. Using this specific name emphasizes that the praise is due to the one true God, distinct from any false deities worshipped by other nations. It highlights His unique authority and redemptive character.
- all ye nations: The Hebrew is gôyim (גּוֹיִם). In the Old Testament, gôyim often refers to non-Israelite peoples or Gentiles, who were often considered hostile or alienated from God. However, in this context, they are specifically included in the call to worship, signifying God's universal reach and ultimate intention for all humanity to recognize and praise Him. This challenges the ethnocentric tendencies of other ancient religions.
- praise him: A direct repetition of the initial command, hallelû, for emphasis. It reiterates the singular object of praise: "Him"—YHWH alone. This repetition underscores the urgency, universality, and singularity of the command.
- all ye people: The Hebrew is umîm (אֻמִּים), a word closely synonymous with gôyim but sometimes carrying the nuance of distinct peoples or tribes within the broader category of nations. Its inclusion creates a beautiful and powerful poetic parallelism, reinforcing the universal scope of the command—every single ethnic group and individual across the globe.
Psalm 117 1 Bonus section
The brevity of Psalm 117 itself emphasizes the monumental message it carries. Its very short length makes its universal call to praise stand out with exceptional power and immediacy. The placement of this Psalm within the "Hallel" collection (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during Passover, would have been particularly impactful for ancient Israelites. Singing about gôyim (Gentiles/nations) praising YHWH during a feast celebrating Israel's unique deliverance might have initially seemed incongruous to some. Still, it would have progressively deepened their understanding of God's ultimate and overarching redemptive purposes extending to all mankind. The Apostle Paul’s direct citation of Psalm 117:1 in Romans 15:11 validates the New Testament understanding that God's plan always included the salvation and inclusion of Gentiles. This validates Psalm 117:1 as a pivotal bridge between the Old and New Covenants, underscoring the consistent nature of God's universal heart.
Psalm 117 1 Commentary
Psalm 117:1 is a microcosm of God's redemptive plan, transcending its brief form to deliver a profound theological statement. It asserts that the Creator of all has a rightful claim to the worship of all His creation. This seemingly simple command to "praise the Lord" to "all ye nations" is deeply revolutionary within its historical context, rejecting the idea of tribal deities and instead proclaiming the sole, universal sovereignty of YHWH. It is a prophetic anticipation of the New Covenant age, where people from every tongue, tribe, and nation will gather to worship God through Christ. This verse highlights that God's plan has always extended beyond Israel, encompassing all peoples who acknowledge His "merciful kindness" and "truth" (Ps 117:2). It is a foundational text for missions, demonstrating God's desire for the renown of His name among all humanity. For practical usage, this verse compels believers to engage in global evangelism, celebrating the diversity within the body of Christ, and understanding that our worship is part of a larger, global chorus destined for God.