Psalm 117:1-2

Psalm 117, the shortest psalm in the Bible, is only two verses long — and in today’s responsorial we hear it in its entirety.

In just a few words, it issues a sweeping invitation that perfectly echoes Isaiah’s vision and Jesus’ teaching that God’s steadfast love and saving faithfulness are meant for all.

Praise the LORD all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples!

The vision of this psalm is unmistakable: all nations (gôyim) and all peoples (’ûmmîm) are called on to give praise and glory to the God of Israel.

For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

The reason for this praise is expressed in two covenant-rich Hebrew terms: hesed (steadfast lovingkindness) and ’emet (faithfulness). God’s loyal love and unshakable fidelity toward his people are stronger than their sins, ensuring that his promises and covenant endure forever.

This brief psalm points out an important truth: Israel’s election was never meant to be a private privilege. Chosen by mercy rather than merit, Israel was to be the instrument through which all the nations would come to know God’s goodness.

In the light of Christ, the psalm’s call to the nations finds its ultimate fulfillment: the blessings once promised to Israel are now offered to all through the Gospel.

“This psalm contains the prophecy that the Church and the teaching of the Gospel would spread to the ends of the earth” (Saint John Chrysostom, Expositio in Psalmos, 116).