Psalms 117:2

For his merciful kindness is great towards us,.... Not us Israelites only, of whom David was, but Gentiles also; or otherwise there would be no force in the reason why all people and nations should

For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Toward us; either, 1. Towards us Jews, to whom he hath given those peculiar privileges which he hath denied to all other nations. But this may seem an improper argument to move the Gentiles to praise God for his mercies to others from which they were excluded. Or, 2. Towards all of us, all the children of Abraham, whether carnal or spiritual, who were to be incorporated together, and made one body and one fold by and under the Messias, , which mystery seems to be insinuated by this manner of expression.

Psalms 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD [endureth] for ever. Praise ye the LORD.Ver. 2. For his merciful kindness is great] Invaluit, hath prevailed over us, breaking through all obstacles and impediments, whether within us or without us, eating its way through all rocks and remoras; and though we would put it back, yet it will overcome us; his grace is irresistible, neither can it ever be taken away. And the truth of the Lord] As his mercy alone moved him to make promise, so his truth bindeth him to perform the same. See 2 Samuel 7:18; 2 Samuel 7:21. The word of promise bindeth God, and, therefore, it may seem to be stronger than God. If his merciful kindness prevail over us, as Psalms 117:1, his truth prevaileth over him. The Jewish doctors observe that the word Emeth, here used for truth, consisteth of Aleph, the first letter of the alphabet; Mem, the middlemost letter thereof; and Tau, the last: to show that as God is Alpha and Omega, so the truth of God is the all in all of our comfort. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ; this is the sum of all the good news in the world.

CXVII.This, shortest of all the psalms, might well be called multum in parvo, for in its few words it contains, as St. Paul felt (Romans 15:11), the germ of the great doctrine of the universality of the Messianic kingdom. That it was intended for liturgical use there can be no doubt, and possibly it is only one of the many varieties of the Hebrew Doxology. What is also very noticeable, is the ground on which all the world is summoned to join in the praise of Jehovah—His covenant kindness and the fulfilment of His promises to Israel. The idea latent under this is shown in the second word rendered praise; properly, to soothe. The nations are imagined coming to make their peace with Israel’s God after seeing His display of power for their sakes; but a wider and nobler truth emerged out of this.

Verse 2. For his merciful kindness is great] גבר gabar, is strong: it is not only great in bulk or number, but it is powerful; it prevails over sin, Satan, death, and hell. And the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.] Whatsoever he has promised, that he will most infallibly fulfill. He has promised to send his Son into the world, and thus he has done. He his promised that he should die for transgressors, and this he did. He has promised to receive all who come unto him through Christ Jesus, and this he invariably does. He has promised that his Gospel shall be preached in every nation, and this he is doing; the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever. Therefore, Praise ye the Lord! ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEENTH PSALM This Psalm contains a doxology to God for his mercy and truth; and it is prophetical, having reference to the calling of the Gentiles; Romans 15:11. It contains two parts: - I. An exhortation to praise God. II. The reason for it. I. 1. He speaks to the Gentiles: "Praise the Lord, all ye nations." Praise him for the promise of salvation; and then, when fulfilled, praise him for the enjoyment of this salvation, - for the remission of sins, and gift of the Holy Ghost. 2. He speaks to the converted Jews, whom he notes under the name of people, as they are called Psalms 2:1; Acts 4:25. As they and the Gentiles are intended to make one Church, so they should join in the praise of him of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. II. The reason given: - 1. Because his mercy is great. It is strong; confirmed toward us, in sending his Son to save both Jews and Gentiles from their sins. 2. Because the truth of his promises is fulfilled. The promised Messiah is come, and has performed all that was prophesied of him. 3. Because this truth is forever. His promises and their fulfilment belong to all generations. There will never be another Messiah; Jesus is the true one: he tasted death for every man; he forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; and his blood cleanses from all unrighteousness. Now, for all this, "Praise ye the Lord!" [N. B. Proclaiming the eternal mercy of God in Christ is more likely to persuade sinners to return to their Maker than all the fire of hell.]

2. For mighty hath been his lovingkindness toward us] Mighty as Israel’s transgressions have been (Psalms 65:3), God’s mercy has been mightier (Psalms 103:11-12; cp. Romans 5:20; 1 Timothy 1:14). Lovingkindness and truth are fundamental attributes of Jehovah’s character (Psalms 115:1, and often). St Paul unites them in the proposition in support of which he quotes Psalms 117:1. “I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy” (Romans 15:8-9).

For his merciful kindness is great toward us - His kindness; his compassion; his love. All nations - all people - may say this, and therefore the psalm is adapted to universal praise.

2. Merciful… truth—Two distinguishing attributes in their relation to God’s promise and covenant—kingly qualities, (Proverbs 20:28,)— specially remembered and extolled by the Hebrews in their deliverance from captivity.