Young People's Group

Praise the LORD, All You Gentiles!

by Mitchell Tan
November 18, 2021

THE CALL FOR ALL GENTILES TO PRAISE THE LORD

Psalm 117 is a special psalm where it includes a call for all Gentiles to give praise to the LORD.

“Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him. All you peoples.”
Psalm 117:1

1. PRAISE THE LORD

The phrase “Praise the Lord” means “Hallelujah” in Hebrew. “Halal” means “praise” and “YHVH” means “The LORD”. The LORD God spoke to Moses about how His name “LORD” was not known by the people of Israel yet (Exodus 6:3). This is the LORD’s covenantal name. He is the LORD and He will show forth His Lordship by bringing His people out of Egypt through great signs and wonders, bringing them to Canaan and thus fulfilling His covenant to Abraham. The LORD and His name are to be greatly revered.

Most of the time, in other psalms, the call is for Israel to praise the LORD. This psalm is one of those rare ones where the Gentiles are included. The word “Goyim”(Gentiles) is a reference to everyone who is not an Israelite. God has in mind the Gentiles that they can also understand Him and worship Him.

We are graciously considered as part of the Gentiles. It is truly our great privilege to be able to understand and know God. It is our special joy to be able to appreciate Him and to praise Him.

2. LAUD HIM

“Laud” has the idea of “glorifying” the LORD. The call is for all people to laud Him above all things. All people of the earth, both Israel and Gentiles, are to give great praise to Him.

THE REASONS FOR PRAISING THE LORD

“For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the LORD endures forever.”
Psalm 117:2

1. HIS MERCIFUL KINDNESS

God’s merciful kindness is truly great towards us. He has included us, the Gentiles, as part of His people. This faith in God is not just meant for Israel. It is also meant for the whole world. This is part of the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) that the LORD had established. In Abraham, all the nations of the world will also be blessed. Furthermore, God’s mercy and kindness can also be seen in how He has given us all things in life. All blessings that we have come from Him.

As we look back on 2021, it has been a challenging year for many of us. Let’s be thankful for the LORD’s merciful kindness in our lives. Let’s praise Him for all that He has blessed us with.

2. HIS TRUTH

Truths come directly from the LORD God Himself. He is the source of all truths. It is wonderful to be able to understand the truths of the LORD and to highly regard them. They are glorious, powerful and enduring. God’s merciful kindness and truth applied then also apply today.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

“Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles!
…
Praise the LORD!”
Psalm 117:1-2

The Psalmist began the psalm in giving praise to the LORD and he ended it with praising the LORD too. Giving praise to the LORD should be so much more a part of our lives.

Let’s take time to reflect on how God’s merciful kindness has been bestowed on us this year. Let’s thank God for the truths that we learn each week at Youth Worship. Let’s respond with hearts of gratitude and joy by giving praise to the LORD even more.

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