What is the meaning of Psalm 117:1? Praise the LORD Psalm 117 opens with a direct command: “Praise the LORD”. • This is not a suggestion but a loving summons from our Creator (Psalm 150:1-2,6). • Praise centers on who He is—holy, sovereign, faithful (Psalm 103:1; Revelation 19:5). • By starting here, the verse reminds us that worship is the proper first response to God before we ask, plan, or do anything else. all you nations! The call immediately widens: every nation is invited. • God’s heart has always been for the whole world (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6). • Jesus confirmed this global mission—“make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). • Heaven will be filled with “every nation and tribe and people and tongue” (Revelation 7:9). • Psalm 117 therefore looks ahead to the gospel’s worldwide reach and refuses to limit worship to Israel alone. Extol Him To “extol” is to lift up, magnify, rave about God with enthusiastic delight. • It takes praise a step higher—“Magnify the LORD with me” (Psalm 34:3). • Such exaltation flows from personally tasting His greatness (Psalm 145:1). • The New Testament echoes this posture: we were saved “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him” (1 Peter 2:9). • Extolling is verbal, joyful, and public; it lets the world know whom we love most. all you peoples! The verse ends by including every people group and every individual within those groups. • No one is too obscure or distant; the invitation is personal and collective (Psalm 47:1). • Paul cites this line to justify taking the gospel to the Gentiles (Romans 15:11). • Acts 13:47 shows early missionaries seizing that mandate. • God “wants all men to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4), so He calls all to worship. summary Psalm 117:1 is a concise yet sweeping trumpet blast: • Praise belongs to the LORD alone. • Every nation is summoned, revealing God’s global purpose. • We are to extol Him—lift Him high with wholehearted enthusiasm. • The invitation reaches every people and each person, pointing to the universal scope of the gospel. In just eleven English words, God declares His worth, His mission, and His desire for worldwide, joy-filled worship. |
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