Psalm 117 (NIV)

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

This is the shortest psalm in the entire book of Psalms—just two verses—yet its significance is as long as it is deep. Martin Luther devoted thirty-six pages to Psalm 117, expounding it in four important categories: (1) Prophecy—the Gentiles will participate in gospel blessings, (2) Revelation—the kingdom of Christ is not earthly and temporal but rather heavenly and eternal, (3) Instruction—we are saved by faith alone and not by works, wisdom, or holiness, and (4) Admonition—we should praise God for such a great salvation (taken from James Montgomery Boice on Ps. 117). Regarding its brevity and importance, Spurgeon remarked, “A very short Psalm if you regard the words, but of very great compass and most excellent if you thoughtfully consider the meaning.”

Prophecy

God’s chosen people would grow far beyond the limits of the nation of Israel, both in geography as well as in makeup. Whereas the Word first came to the Jews, it then went out into Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth under Jesus’ leadership and atoning work on the cross (Mt. 28). God’s grace, love, and offer of salvation would be for all people everywhere.  Finally, we know that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord (Is. 45, Rom. 14, Phil. 2), either willingly—when people accept Him as Lord and Savior—or by imposition when He finally returns to establish His kingdom on the earth.

Revelation

God’s intervention and plan was not just for the Jewish people in their day, but for all people in ours, as well…and at every point in between. Additionally, God will continue to reveal himself to every person on the planet through general revelation and the law that is written on their hearts (Rom. 1 & 2). And while we live in the here and now, God’s Kingdom is eternal, and His people will enjoy his love and blessings forever and ever. And the trials and tribulations we face in this fallen world are merely “light and momentary troubles…achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Cor. 4:17).

Instruction

For great is his love towards us (v. 2)…in while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)…and we did not initiate that loving transaction, but rather, God drew us to himself (Jm. 6:44). God’s great love is what leads us to praise Him! His love is so great because it came at such a great price! The instruction is to repent of our sins and place all of our trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross! For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:8-9).

Admonition

Add up all these great gospel truths and what do you get? Praise! Praise the Lord! Extol his name! Share his Good News! Live out his good commands! Trust in him with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight (Pr. 3:5-6)! Oh, what a great salvation we have in Christ! What magnificent promises! What a glorious future! Praise the LORD, indeed!!!