Salmos 117
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 117
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This is the shortest Psalm in the Psalter. It encourages the Gentiles to praise Israel's God (cf. Psalm 67; 100), the only true God. SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM Israel's God is fully revealed in His acts in creation (Genesis 1-2; 6-9) His promises to Abraham (Genesis 12; 15; 18; 22) land seed great name all families of the earth blessed in him SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS redemptive acts toward Abraham's descendants (cf. Ps. 117:2a) the exodus conquest return from exile
Salmos 117:1-2
117:1 This Psalm begins and concludes with the Piel IMPERATIVE, "Praise" (BDB 237, KB 248, cf. Psalm 113; LXX, Psalm 116). Psalms 113-118 are called the Hallel Psalms from this root ▣ "Laud Him" This is a second Piel IMPERATIVE (BDB 986, KB 1387, cf. Ps. 147:12) and is a SYNONYM of "praise," v. 1a. ▣ "all nations. . .all peoples" This universal aspect is characteristic of the Psalms (cf. Ps. 22:27; 33:8; 47:1; 66:1,4; 67:3-5,7; 82:8; 96:7-10; 98:4; 100:1). This is the OT's great commission. Israel was to be a "kingdom of priests" (cf. Exod. 19:5-6) because all the world is YHWH's. This verse is quoted by Paul in Rom. 15:11, which emphasizes YHWH's inclusion of the Gentiles in the work of Christ (cf. Rom. 15:9-13; note Rev. 7:9). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 117:2 "lovingkindness. . .truth" These two characteristics of YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD) are often listed together (i.e., Ps. 108:4; 115:1; 138:2). For "lovingkindness" see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (HESED). For "truth" or "faithfulness" see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT ▣ "everlasting" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam). This is an important point because of Israel's repeated faithlessness and idolatry. YHWH is forever faithful but His people are not! He has a larger purpose than just one people/nation (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN).