How does Psalm 117:1 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19? Psalm 117:1—A Worldwide Call “Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples!” Matthew 28:19—A Worldwide Commission “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Shared Wording, Shared Vision • “all you nations … all you peoples” (Psalm 117:1) • “all nations” (Matthew 28:19) The same Greek expression panta ta ethnē (“all the nations”) is used in the Septuagint of Psalm 117:1 and in Matthew 28:19, tying the two passages linguistically and theologically. From Command to Praise, to Command to Go • Psalm 117:1 issues a divine summons: every ethnic group is to worship the LORD. • Matthew 28:19 provides the means: disciples are sent to those same groups so they can know, follow, and praise Him. • The Great Commission is therefore the God-ordained pathway for fulfilling Psalm 117:1. Prophetic Thread Through Scripture • Genesis 12:3—“in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” • Isaiah 49:6—“I will also make you a light for the nations.” • Luke 24:47—“repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in His name to all nations.” • Revelation 7:9—“a great multitude … from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue” is seen praising the Lamb. Psalm 117:1 previews the global praise that these passages anticipate and that the Great Commission activates. Practical Implications for Believers • Confidence—Our evangelism rests on God’s prior promise that the nations will praise Him. • Urgency—Since God commands every people to exalt Him, withholding the gospel is disobedience. • Expectation—The gospel will gather worshipers from every culture, so ministry among unreached peoples is never in vain. • Worship Focus—Mission exists so that Psalm 117:1 becomes reality; evangelism and worship are inseparable. Summary Psalm 117:1 declares what must happen: all nations praising the LORD. Matthew 28:19 tells how it will happen: disciples going to make more disciples among those very nations. One verse calls for global worship; the other commissions global witnesses. Together they reveal God’s unchanging plan to turn every people into a choir of praise for His glory. |
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