1 Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!
Free Grace note
The shortest psalm carries the widest reach: all nations invited. Two verses, and yet the horizon is the whole earth: praise Yahweh, all you nations, extol Him, all you peoples. From the start God was never a tribal deity for one people alone. His promise to Abraham was that in him all families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Paul quotes this very psalm to prove that the Gentiles were always meant to glorify God for His mercy (Romans 15:11). Someone might assume the Old Testament God is narrow and exclusive. This tiny psalm answers that head on. The door of praise stands open to every nation and language. That same wideness marks the gospel: eternal life is offered to whoever will believe, without regard to family, nation, or standing, on terms as broad as the human race.
2 For his loving kindness is great toward us. Yahweh’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise Yah!
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