1O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.
Psalms 117
KJV · Chapter 117/150
📖 Chapter study
Summary
The shortest chapter in the entire Bible: just two verses summoning all nations to praise the Lord for his great kindness and everlasting truth.
Explanation
Despite being the shortest chapter in the whole Bible, this tiny psalm has a surprisingly universal reach, explicitly calling on 'all ye nations' and 'all ye people' — not just Israel — to praise God. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 15:11 precisely to argue that the gospel is meant for Jews and Gentiles alike. The application today is that no matter how small an act of praise may be, it can carry enormous meaning and reach.
Fun facts
- This is the shortest chapter in the entire Bible (just two verses) and is also located near the geometric center of the Bible as a whole.
- It is quoted by Paul in Romans 15:11 as biblical proof that the message of salvation was always intended for Gentiles too, not just for Jews.
Verse-by-verse explanation
- Psalms 117:1With just two verses, this is the shortest chapter in the entire Bible. And brief as it is, it already invites all nations to praise, not just Israel—a universal opening that contrasts with the tiny size of the text.
- Psalms 117:2“The truth of the Lord endureth for ever”—this line closes a two-line psalm with the same idea of permanence found in several others. Brief in size, but no less dense in content.
Chapters
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