Psalm 117
Introduction
Exposition
Verse 1
O praise the LORD, all ye nations. This is an exhortation to the Gentiles to glorify Jehovah, and a clear proof that the Old Testament spirit differed widely from that narrow and contracted national bigotry with which the Jews of our Lord's day became so inveterately diseased.
Verse 2
For his merciful kindness is great toward us. By which is meant not only his great love toward the Jewish people, but towards the whole family of man. The Lord is kind to us as his creatures, and merciful to us as sinners, hence his merciful kindness to us as sinful creatures.
Explanatory Notes & Quaint Sayings
Verse 1
O praise the Lord, etc. The praise of God is here made both the beginning and the end of the Psalm; to show, that in praising God the saints are never satisfied with their own efforts, and would infinitely magnify him, even as his perfections are infinite.
Verse 2
For his merciful kindness is great toward us. We cannot part from this Psalm without remarking that even in the Old Testament we have more than one instance of a recognition on the part of those that were without the pale of the church that God's favour to Israel was a source of blessing to…
Hints to the Village Preacher
Whole Psalm. The universal kingdom. 1. The same God. 2. The same worship. 3. The same reason for it. Verse 2. Merciful kindness. In God's kindness there is mercy, because, 1. Our sin deserves the reverse of kindness. 2. Our weakness requires great tenderness. 3. Our fears can only be so removed.
SUBJECT. This Psalm, which is very little in its letter, is exceedingly large in its spirit; for, bursting beyond all bounds of race or nationality, it calls upon all mankind to praise the name of the Lord.