All nations praise the LORD.
Only two
lines – but such a deep meaning. Allow me to walk you through.
v. 1a. Praise
the LORD,
all nations!
We have a
glorious beginning – Hallelujah “Living ONE”! God is not called by His status;
He is called by His name. Israel God is called by the name, but He is called by
the Gentiles.
In the light
of current political events, it is an important reminder that at the end ALL
nations will recognize Jesus as Lord of the world. It will be done because the
disciples will bring the Good News to all the nations – Matthew 28:18-20.
Baptizing people and instructing them in faith. St. Paul uses this verse as a
“proof-text” for the mission of Christ – Romans 15:11 (Let’s read!)
v. 1b, Extol
Him, all peoples!
Psalmist
“doubles down” – he encourages all the peoples to extol Him. Exclaim with the
loud voices, keep triumphant praise.
Together the
unity of all nations and all peoples means everyone with
distinction and without exception. The Book of Revelation puts it in four
categories: nations, tribes, peoples, and languages. Together with believers
from Israel they will worship the Lamb Who sits on the Throne (Rev.
7:1-10).
What a
glorious picture!!
It is a long-awaited fulfilment of the prophecies:
2 Samuel 22:50 – glory to His name among Gentiles (a psalm sang by king
David by the end of his life).
Isaiah 11:10 – the root of Jessy will give a hope to Gentiles.
Isaiah 2:2-4 (note nations and
peoples in v. 4) – do you know where the statue dedicated to this verse is
located?
Also psalm 72:11,17 has the same
ideas – kings of their nations fall before Him and serve Him (compare to Psalm
2:1-12).
v. 2a, For
great is His steadfast love toward us,
Great here
has two meanings: (1) it is great in fullness (extended to all nations, see
above); (2) it is great in intensity (covering all sins and faults), it is true
on global and personal level: Romans 5:20-21 and 1 Timothy 1:12-14.
Steadfast love – a word [hesed] which is very
difficult for translation. We’ve talked about it last time (Psalm 118:1,29). It
also can include mercy, grace etc. Most importantly, we need to pay attention
“steadfast” aspect of “love” – along with other aspects of the meaning it
should include “faithfulness.” God is faithful to His promises, covenants, and
prophecies. We can rely on the fact of our forgiveness through Jesus, guidance
by the Holy Spirit, and promise of heavenly haven prepared for us by the Son of
God.
v. 2b, And
the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Faithfulness
is a good translation; we also see it in Lamentations 3:22-23. It is a
background for the hymn “great is Thy faithfulness.”
At the same
time, we can add something: this word is related to very famous Hebrew word
that all of you know – guess which one?
Jesus uses
double of the word 25 times in the Gospel of John (for example 3:3; 5:24;
13:20). Using these doubles signifies that the words of Jesus are “really
true.”
Conclusion: Praise
the Lord (Alleluia!)
The term
denotes being clear (pure) sound and color, therefore “to show off [in a good
sense], shine, or boast”
Think of the
words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (see the background in Jeremiah
9:23-24).
He is worthy
to be praised, to be boasted about! He redeemed us!
Soli Deo
Gloria – Glory be to God Alone!
