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Extol Him, All You Peoples
Psalm 117 is a very short song with a very wide call. In two verses, it tells all nations and peoples to praise Yahweh, then gives reasons from Yahweh’s loving kindness and enduring faithfulness.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage is a psalm, so it speaks in the form of poetry and song. Verse 1 calls all nations and peoples to praise Yahweh. Verse 2 gives the reason for that praise, then ends with another brief praise command, keeping the whole psalm centred on worship.
Psalms 117:1–2Main takeaway
This psalm calls all peoples to praise Yahweh because his loving kindness is great toward us and his faithfulness endures forever.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A call that reaches everyoneThe psalm opens with direct praise words: “Praise Yahweh” and “Extol him”. The audience is very broad, because it names “all you nations” and “all you peoples”.
Explanation
The psalm opens with direct praise words: “Praise Yahweh” and “Extol him”. The audience is very broad, because it names “all you nations” and “all you peoples”. In this short song, the call to praise is not narrow or private. The repeated commands make worship the clear starting point of the passage.
02A reason introduced by “For”Verse 2 begins with “For”, showing that the psalm is now giving a reason for the praise command.
Explanation
Verse 2 begins with “For”, showing that the psalm is now giving a reason for the praise command. It says, “his loving kindness is great toward us”. The verse does not explain further who “us” includes, so it is best to stay with the psalm’s own wording and emphasis.
03Faithfulness that continuesThe same verse adds a second reason: “Yahweh’s faithfulness endures forever.” This points to faithfulness that does not come to an end.
Explanation
The same verse adds a second reason: “Yahweh’s faithfulness endures forever.” This points to faithfulness that does not come to an end. The final words, “Praise Yah!”, return to the theme from the beginning. So the psalm starts with praise, gives reasons for praise, and ends with praise again.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Who is invited to praise Yahweh in this psalm?
Look at the words after the praise command and name the groups exactly as verse 1 does.
02What reasons for praise does verse 2 give?
After the word “For”, list the two qualities named in the verse itself.
03What phrase in verse 2 shows that Yahweh’s faithfulness does not stop?
Find the exact words that describe how long his faithfulness lasts.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 117:1–2
1Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!
2For his loving kindness is great toward us. Yahweh’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise Yah!