Psalm 117 (116):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord's mercy is becoming ever more evident to us, especially as the voices of opposing nations have yielded to His Name, through which our deliverance has come; and the truth of the Lord lasts forever, fulfilling both His promises to the righteous and His warnings to the wicked.

Therefore, since the Lord of all has realized the promises, has bestowed the salvation He assured, and has unveiled the wells of grace to everyone, let you, who are from the Jews, and you, who have come to faith from the Gentiles, join together in a harmonious song and offer gratitude to the Gracious One.

The blessed Paul succinctly recounts the various nations to whom he proclaimed the divine message, so that from Jerusalem and its surroundings to Illyricum, the gospel of Christ might be fulfilled (Romans 15:19). Rather than taking a direct route, he journeyed through the nations, imparting the doctrines of salvation to them as well. He aimed to evangelize where Christ was not yet known, lest he build on another's foundation. As it is written, “Those who have never been told of Him will see, and those who have never heard will understand” (Romans 15:20-21). He later traveled to Italy and then to Spain, sharing grace with the islands scattered across the sea. In his letter to the Romans, he expressed, “I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while” (Romans 15:24). In his epistle to the insightful Titus, he stated, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1:5). This is how the eminent John liberated Asia from its previous corruption. Thus, the divine Andrew enlightened Greece with the brilliance of divine wisdom. Similarly, the most revered Philip corrected the false beliefs of the inhabitants of that and other regions of Phrygia. The great Peter journeyed from Jerusalem to Rome, spreading the light of truth to all. Collectively, they traversed the entire world, dispelling the shadows of ignorance and revealing the Son of truth. Hence, the prophetic word rightfully calls upon all nations to offer praise to God, for all have received salvation. Glorify Him, you peoples. Long ago, the Jews were dispersed throughout the earth, taught to worship one God. They did not reside solely in Palestine nor were they a singular nation under one king. Instead, they were scattered among heathen nations, ruled by various sovereigns, and yet they upheld their own way of life and adhered to the laws. The Prophet aptly referred to them not as a nation, but as peoples. Many among them embraced the divine message. In Jerusalem, three thousand and then five thousand were suddenly brought in by fishermen, and as the divine James noted, many also believed who were previously in darkness (Acts 21:10). In regions like Syria, Cilicia, Lycaonia, Pisidia, Asia, Pamphylia, and other Gentile territories, the Apostles were instrumental in delivering the divine message to the Jews. Some accepted and rejoiced in the truth, while others rejected the beneficial teachings. Therefore, the prophetic word justly bids them to sing praises to the Giver, for it identifies them as nations.

The term "people" may refer to the Jewish believers in Christ, or it might encompass all humankind, emphasizing that all are bound to express gratitude to Christ for becoming man to redeem all humanity, particularly for the salvation of the Jews. As he stated, “I am sent only unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). The comments of Eusebius reveal that these words contain a prophetic vision for the good things in the Church and a prefiguring of the global proclamation that followed. This psalm does not summon merely a few nations, but rather the entirety of the earth and sea, fulfilled in the radiant coming of Christ. Following His arrival, as Theodoret suggests, He provided the means of salvation to all people, utilizing the holy Apostles in this noble mission. They traversed the entire world, dispelling the darkness of ignorance and revealing the Sun of Righteousness with the command, “Go, teach all nations.” Theodoret further notes that due to the dispersal of the Jews across the globe, who shared knowledge of one God, they could no longer be identified as a single nation under one king; thus, it is fitting to describe them as peoples rather than simply a nation. Alternatively, as Eusebius indicates, he may refer to those who believed from among the nations as foretold in Zechariah: “And many nations shall come unto the Lord, and shall make His people” (Zechariah 2:11). Previously identified as Gentiles, they have now become His people through transformation in their lives. It is noteworthy that the Apostle Paul references these words in his letter to the Romans to illustrate their fulfillment at that time, stating, “But for the Gentiles out of mercy, that they may glorify God, as it is written, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and glorify Him, all nations” (Rom. 15:11).

You, beloved children, heed the divine teachings and do not reject the doctrines of the Church that your instructor Methodius imparted to you.

The same prophets were commanded by God to foretell the calling of other nations in their stead. As David proclaimed, "Praise the Lord, all nations; praise him, all people."

Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; praise Him, all ye people. Although the Holy Spirit, in other scriptures, encourages not just humanity but also mountains, rivers, trees, rain, winds, and thunder to glorify God—since all creation silently yearns for its Creator—humanity is particularly called to offer praise as sentient beings. The prophet, as we mentioned, invites the entire Church to worship the Lord, and by "tongues," he refers to the Gentiles who have embraced the faith, placing them first because he foresaw a greater number of Gentiles joining the Church than Jews. When he mentions "men," he seems to refer to the chosen people or the various tribes of Israel, who have similarly come to faith, as noted by Jerome in his commentary. Psalm 2 reflects a similar sentiment: “Why do the Gentiles rage, and the people plot in vain?” The Apostles in Acts 4 interpret it in the same manner, with "tongues" indicating the Gentiles and "men" denoting the Jews.