Psalms 117

Chapter Summary

Psalms 117 begins with a call to all nations to praise the Lord, emphasizing the universal scope of God's mercy and truth. The psalmist invites all peoples to join in worship, acknowledging God's greatness and faithfulness. This brief yet potent chapter underscores the global nature of God's kingdom, encouraging believers to proclaim His praise to every nation. The chapter's central message is rooted in Psalms 117:1-2, where the psalmist writes, 'Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples! For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.'

Context for the Chapter

Psalms 117 is part of the fifth book of Psalms, which focuses on the global nature of God's kingdom. This chapter is situated within a collection of psalms that emphasize God's sovereignty, mercy, and faithfulness. The psalm's call to all nations to praise the Lord is consistent with the themes of universal worship and global redemption that are woven throughout the Psalms.

Heart Application

As we reflect on Psalms 117, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing and responding to God's steadfast love and faithfulness. We are called to join in the universal praise of God, acknowledging His greatness and goodness. May our hearts be filled with worship and our lives be characterized by praise, as we proclaim God's glory to all nations.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Psalms 117 is a short chapter that calls all nations to praise the Lord. It emphasizes God's greatness, mercy, and faithfulness, providing a foundation for universal praise. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing and responding to God's love and goodness, and we are called to join in the global worship of God. According to Psalms 117:1, 'Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples!'

Voices from the Church

“This psalm is a call to all nations to praise the Lord, and it is a prophecy that one day all nations will worship Him.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The psalmist invites all peoples to join in worship, emphasizing the global scope of God's kingdom and the universal nature of His sovereignty.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. Introduction to Universal Praise (Psalms 117:1) — The psalmist invites all nations to praise the Lord, emphasizing the global scope of God's kingdom.
2. Reason for Universal Praise (Psalms 117:2) — The psalmist highlights God's steadfast love and faithfulness as the foundation for worship, emphasizing the reliability and goodness of God's character.
3. Global Nature of God's Kingdom — The chapter underscores the global nature of God's kingdom, emphasizing that all peoples are invited to worship and praise the Lord.
4. Call to Worship — The psalmist calls all nations to praise the Lord, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and responding to God's greatness and goodness.
5. Conclusion — The chapter concludes with a reaffirmation of God's universal sovereignty and the call to global worship, emphasizing the importance of proclaiming God's praise to all nations.

Core Doctrines

Sovereignty of God

Psalms 117 emphasizes God's universal sovereignty, highlighting His greatness and goodness. This doctrine is rooted in God's character and provides a foundation for trust and worship.

Global Nature of God's Kingdom

The chapter underscores the global nature of God's kingdom, emphasizing that all peoples are invited to worship and praise the Lord. This doctrine is consistent with the themes of universal redemption and global worship that are woven throughout the Bible.

Importance of Worship

The psalm highlights the importance of worship, emphasizing the need for all nations to praise the Lord. This doctrine is rooted in God's character and provides a foundation for recognizing and responding to His greatness and goodness.

Faithfulness of God

The psalm emphasizes God's faithfulness, highlighting the enduring nature of His love and commitment. This doctrine provides assurance and confidence for believers, emphasizing the reliability and goodness of God's character.

Lessons from Psalms 117

1. The Importance of Worship — Psalms 117 emphasizes the importance of worship, highlighting the need for all nations to praise the Lord. This lesson reminds us to prioritize praise in our lives and to recognize God's greatness and goodness.
2. The Global Nature of God's Kingdom — The chapter underscores the global nature of God's kingdom, emphasizing that all peoples are invited to worship and praise the Lord. This lesson reminds us of the universal scope of God's sovereignty and the importance of global evangelism.
3. The Faithfulness of God — The psalm emphasizes God's faithfulness, highlighting the enduring nature of His love and commitment. This lesson reminds us of the reliability and goodness of God's character, providing assurance and confidence for believers.
4. The Call to Global Worship — The psalmist calls all nations to praise the Lord, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and responding to God's greatness and goodness. This lesson reminds us to participate in the global worship of God and to proclaim His praise to all nations.
5. The Sovereignty of God — Psalms 117 emphasizes God's universal sovereignty, highlighting His greatness and goodness. This lesson reminds us of the importance of recognizing and responding to God's character, and it provides a foundation for trust and worship.

Themes from Psalms 117

1. Universal Praise — The chapter emphasizes the importance of universal praise, highlighting the global scope of God's kingdom and the need for all nations to worship and praise the Lord.
2. God's Character — The psalm highlights God's greatness, mercy, and faithfulness, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and responding to His character. This theme provides a foundation for trust and worship.
3. Global Evangelism — The chapter underscores the importance of global evangelism, emphasizing the need to proclaim God's praise to all nations. This theme is consistent with the Great Commission and the universal scope of God's sovereignty.
4. Worship and Praise — The psalm emphasizes the importance of worship and praise, highlighting the need for all nations to recognize and respond to God's greatness and goodness. This theme provides a foundation for prioritizing praise in our lives.
5. Faithfulness and Sovereignty — The chapter emphasizes God's faithfulness and sovereignty, highlighting the enduring nature of His love and commitment. This theme provides assurance and confidence for believers, emphasizing the reliability and goodness of God's character.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does Psalms 117 reveal about God's character, and how can we apply this to our lives?
2. How does the global nature of God's kingdom impact our understanding of worship and evangelism?
3. What role does faithfulness play in our relationship with God, and how can we cultivate a deeper understanding of this doctrine?
4. How can we participate in the global worship of God, and what are some practical ways to proclaim His praise to all nations?
5. What are some ways to cultivate a heart of worship, and how can we prioritize praise in our daily lives?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Psalms 117

	Sermon	Description
	(Education for Exultation) Let All the Peoples Praise Him by John Piper	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accepting one another within the church community. He urges the congregation to embrace a mindset of change and sacrifice f
	Let All the People Praise God by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel continues his verse-by-verse study of the Bible. He focuses on Psalm 117, which is one of the Hallel Psalms. The psalm emphasiz
	Gravity and Gladness on Sunday Morning - Lesson 2 by John Piper	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of pursuing joy in God as our highest duty. He believes that the problem lies in people filling themselves with trivial and wo
	Exposition on Psalm 118 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches on the importance of praising the Lord and confessing His goodness, emphasizing that God's mercy endures forever. He encourages all, from Israel to those who
	Exposition on Psalm 117 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches about the universal praise of the Lord, calling on all nations to worship Him. He emphasizes the significance of God's merciful kindness and enduring truth,
	Psalm 117 by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches on the unbounded preciousness of Psalm 117, emphasizing the importance of praising the Lord among all nations and people. He highlights the need for missionary z
	Homily 28 on Romans by St. John Chrysostom	John Chrysostom preaches on Romans 15:8, emphasizing how Jesus Christ, as a Minister of the circumcision, fulfilled the promises made to the fathers, showing His concern for both J

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 117

Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 117 emphasizes the universal call to praise the Lord, highlighting God's greatness, mercy, and faithfulness. According to Henry, this psalm is a prophecy of the time when all nations will worship the Lord, and it is a call to all peoples to join in the praise of God. Henry also notes that the psalm emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to God's character, highlighting the reliability and goodness of His love and commitment. As Henry writes, 'The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; His greatness is to be acknowledged and adored by all nations.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?