Psalm Chapter 117

What is the meaning of Psalm 117?

Introduction to Psalm 117

Psalm 117 holds the distinction of being the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, yet within its mere two verses lies a profound theological declaration that resonates throughout Scripture. This compact psalm serves as a powerful call to universal worship, breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers by inviting all nations to praise the God of Israel. Its brevity makes it memorable, but its message makes it monumental.

Context of Psalm 117

Psalm 117 is strategically positioned within the collection of psalms known as the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), which were traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, particularly during Passover. These psalms collectively celebrate God’s deliverance, with Psalm 117 serving as a crescendo of praise that bridges the more personal expressions of thanksgiving in Psalm 116 and the elaborate celebrations of God’s goodness in Psalm 118.

In the broader biblical narrative, this psalm anticipates the worldwide worship of יהוה (Yahweh) prophesied throughout Scripture. Its placement in the Psalter is particularly significant as it stands between psalms that focus on Israel’s special relationship with God and those that speak of His universal sovereignty. This positioning beautifully illustrates the transition from God’s particular covenant with Israel to His global redemptive purpose for all nations.

Ancient Key Word Study

• הַלְלוּ (Halelu) – This imperative form of “praise” opens the psalm with a command that carries more weight than simple appreciation. It implies a public, demonstrative celebration of God’s character and actions. The root הלל (halal) suggests spinning around with joy, pointing to praise as an all-encompassing, physical, and emotional expression.
• גּוֹיִם (Goyim) – Typically translated as “nations” or “Gentiles,” this term historically distinguished non-Israelite peoples. Its use here is revolutionary, as it explicitly includes all ethnic groups in the worship of Israel’s God, foreshadowing the universal scope of the Messiah’s kingdom.
• שַׁבְּחוּהוּ (Shabchuhu) – Another word for praise, but distinct from halal. This term, from the root שבח (shabach), implies addressing God with calm, thoughtful admiration. It suggests a more contemplative form of praise based on careful consideration of His attributes.
• חֶסֶד (Chesed) – Often translated as “lovingkindness” or “steadfast love,” this rich Hebrew term encompasses God’s covenant loyalty, unfailing love, and merciful faithfulness. It represents His consistent, reliable commitment to His people despite their inconsistency.
• אֱמֶת (Emet) – Translated as “truth” or “faithfulness,” this word comes from a root meaning “firmness” or “reliability.” It speaks of God’s unchanging nature and the absolute dependability of His promises.
• גָּבַר (Gavar) – This verb, meaning “to prevail” or “be strong,” suggests overwhelming power. Its usage here implies that God’s chesed is not merely present but powerfully active and triumphant in human affairs.
• הַלְלוּ-יָהּ (Hallelujah) – The psalm begins and ends with this phrase, forming an inclusio. It combines the imperative “praise” with a shortened form of God’s name (Yah), making it both a command and a declaration of יהוה (Yahweh)’s worthiness.

Compare & Contrast

• The command to “praise יהוה (Yahweh)” could have been expressed using the more common Hebrew word זמר (zamar), which specifically relates to musical praise. Instead, הלל (halal) was chosen, emphasizing total-person worship that goes beyond mere musical expression.
• The phrase “all nations” (כָּל-גּוֹיִם) deliberately uses the term typically reserved for Gentile nations rather than the more general term עַמִּים (amim), highlighting the inclusive nature of this call to worship and its prophetic significance.
• The pairing of חֶסֶד (chesed) with אֱמֶת (emet) is significant, as it echoes the classic biblical formula first seen in Exodus 34:6, emphasizing both God’s love and His unchanging character.

Psalm 117 Unique Insights

The brevity of Psalm 117 is itself a profound theological statement. Jewish tradition teaches that its conciseness demonstrates how praise of God can transcend human language and elaborate ritual. The Midrash Tehillim notes that its position as the shortest psalm suggests that even the briefest praise, when sincere, is precious to God.

The universal call to worship in this psalm was revolutionary for its time. Ancient Near Eastern religions were typically national or tribal, with each people group having its own deities. This psalm boldly declares that the God of Israel is the God of all nations, worthy of universal worship. This concept finds its fullest expression in the Messianic age when “every knee shall bow” as prophesied in Isaiah 45:23.

The psalm’s structure employs a powerful rhetorical device known as inclusion, where the opening and closing “Hallelujah” forms a frame around the central message. This structure suggests that the praise of God is both the starting point and the conclusion of all human existence, with His chesed and emet as the foundation for everything in between.

Psalm 117 Connections to Yeshua

The Messiah Yeshua quoted from the surrounding Hallel psalms during His final week, including at the Last Supper, demonstrating their messianic significance. This psalm’s vision of universal worship finds its fulfillment in Yeshua, through whom the barrier between Jew and Gentile is broken down (Ephesians 2:14).

The apostle Paul specifically cites this psalm in Romans 15:11 as evidence that God’s plan always included the Gentiles. This connection demonstrates how Yeshua’s ministry fulfilled the prophetic vision of all nations worshiping the God of Israel, making this brief psalm a cornerstone of New Testament theology about the universal scope of God’s redemptive plan.

Psalm 117 Scriptural Echoes

This psalm resonates with numerous biblical passages that speak of God’s universal reign. It connects with Isaiah 2:2-3, which prophesies all nations streaming to Jerusalem to worship, and Zechariah 14:16, which speaks of all nations coming to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

The psalm’s emphasis on God’s חֶסֶד (chesed) and אֱמֶת (emet) echoes Exodus 34:6-7, where these attributes are first proclaimed as central to God’s character. This connection appears throughout Scripture, notably in Psalm 86:15 and Micah 7:20.

The universal call to praise finds its ultimate fulfillment in passages like Revelation 7:9-10, where people from every nation, tribe, and tongue worship before God’s throne.

Psalm 117 Devotional

In our increasingly divided world, this psalm reminds us that worship transcends all human boundaries. When we praise God, we join a cosmic chorus that includes believers from every culture and nation. This should inspire us to break down barriers that separate God’s people and to celebrate the diversity of His kingdom.

The psalm’s emphasis on God’s steadfast love and faithfulness encourages us to trust Him even in difficult times. Just as His love has prevailed powerfully throughout history, it continues to prevail in our lives today. This truth should motivate us to praise Him not just in good times, but especially in challenging seasons.

Did You Know

• Despite being the shortest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 117 is quoted in the New Testament, demonstrating its theological significance in early Christian teaching.
• This psalm is part of the “Egyptian Hallel” sung during Passover, including at Yeshua’s Last Supper.
• The Hebrew word גָּבַר (gavar) used here suggests not just that God’s love exists, but that it actively triumphs over all obstacles.
• Ancient Jewish tradition suggests this psalm was so short that it was often sung twice during festival celebrations.
• The psalm contains three different Hebrew words for praise, each with its own subtle shade of meaning.
• Its position as the middle chapter of the Bible in many ancient manuscripts was seen as symbolically significant, representing God’s love as the center of Scripture.
• The command to praise God is given in plural form, suggesting communal rather than merely individual worship.
• Some ancient Jewish commentators saw this psalm as prophetically describing the age of the Messiah when all nations would recognize Israel’s God.
• The repetition of “Hallelujah” at the beginning and end creates a literary device called inclusio, common in Hebrew poetry.
• This psalm is one of only four chapters in the Bible that explicitly command all nations to praise God.