A BLESSING FOR ALL THE GENTILES This psalm was assumed by some as a mere glorifying conclusion to another psalm; But the Hebrew text confirms the futility of this assumption, and that it is a complete and an integral psalm; or rather a poem, though short, yet it presents living and fiery feelings. It is a Messianic psalm, and a prophecy concerning the receiving of faith by all the Gentiles, and establishing the church of the new covenant1. The church praises by it at the beginning of the sunset vespers (the 11th hour), as a reference to establishing the church at the fullness of time, and opening up of the gate of faith before the Gentiles, being those of the eleventh hour. Although it is a short psalm, yet it is a climax of sweetness, that gives hope for the world to receive the Lord Christ, and for the instigation of the spirit of praise and thanksgiving everywhere. The Lord Christ, took upon Himself to explain this psalm directly before His ascension to heaven, by saying to His disciples: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28: 18 – 20; Mark 16: 15 – 16). Finally, this very short psalm 117 , as well as the very long one 119, called the great psalm, both came to confirm the fact that the value of worship is not measured by time and the length of prayers, but by their depth and spiritual warmth. God wishes for His whole people to become a blessing for all the nations; so that all would truly be the children of Abraham, who has got the divine promise: “You will become a blessing” (Genesis 12: 2); And that the proclamation by the Lord Christ to His disciples, that they will become a blessing to the whole world (Matthew 28: 18-20) would be realized. On the cross, the Lord Christ presented salvation to the account of the whole world; and sent to us His Holy Spirit, so that we would be a blessing to those whom we know, and those we do not. It is a joyful psalm, which confirms that the knowledge of God will spread all over the world, the way water fill the oceans. 1 W. S. Plumer, ps. 117. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 102 “Oh, praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Extol Him, all you peoples” (1) This is a prophecy that proclaims the love of God for all humanity, and His longing for all to enjoy His salvation, and that they all, together with the heavenly hosts, would become a choir to praise the Lord. The Jewish people, often, could not manage to present praises befitting to the holiness of the temple. But now, as all the Gentiles partake of praising the Lord, praise is presented with pure hands and hearts. The Lord Christ Himself promised, saying: “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring; and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one Shepherd” (John 10: 16, 17). This promise has been realized when the preaching among the Gentiles started by the entrance of ‘Cornelius’ into faith; as it was then said: “They glorified God, saying: ‘ God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life’” (Acts 11: 18). This psalm calls upon, not a single nation, two, or three, but all earth and sea; which was actually realized when the light of the Lord Christ shined by His coming. Then it refers to the reason behind their salvation, that it was not for the sake of their good works, nor for that of their good life and confidence; but it was for the sake of God’s graciousness and mercy “His merciful kindness is great toward us” … stronger and more solid than the rock; and it grows day after day, to be received by many1. (St. John Chrysostom) In psalm 116, (LXX), God ordained that, through His mercy, the Jews will be united with the Gentiles; and that His grace will be granted to the Gentiles, to become partners in the inheritance with the Jews, who, by the grace of God, before long time were called His people; While the Jews were noble, and the Gentiles were lowly, Now, by the mercy of God, the Gentiles became noble as well; for all to rejoice together in the knowledge of the truth2. (Father Ambroseater) “For His merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord” (2) 1 On Ps. 117. 2 Commentary on Paul's Epistles Rom (15: 11). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 103 The mercy of God was demonstrated in three important evangelic facts: a- The resurrection of the Lord Christ that has granted us the new life; b- The ascension of the Lord Christ that opened before us the gates of heaven; and, c- Through the renewal of the hearts and minds of the Gentiles, they received faith, for the enjoyment of the true promises of God. The whole world was astonished by their acceptance of the gospel; which was a testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord to the end of time. The gospel of Christ presented to the believers “an everlasting consolation and good hope by grace” (2 Thessalonians 2: 16). It presented the practical love of God the Father, granting the eternal life through the sacrifice of His only-begotten Son. According to St. Augustine, the psalmist refers to two things: God’s mercy, and God’s truth or justice. And as it came in psalm 116: 5. the Gentiles submitted to the name of the Lord through His promise of mercy to the pious, as well as through His threat of justice to the wicked. This psalm tells more clearly about the preaching of the gospel by the saintly apostles all over the world, and the joining of all the nations and their entrance into faith in Christ; as it came in the prophecy of Zechariah, saying: “’Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion. For, behold, I am coming, and I will dwell in your midst’, says the Lord. Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become my people. And I shall dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you” (Zechariah 2: 10-11). Here, Zechariah openly proclaims that the Father, the Lord of hosts has sent the Lord … who made the Gentiles His people; His onlybegotten Son came and dwelt in the midst of His holy church; His great mercy prevailed over the sins of the Gentiles; and the truth of His words He previously gave to His prophets, He realized, and will endure forever, along with faith in Christ. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “And the truth of the Lord endures forever”. This, in particular, is a feature of His shining truth; For the events of the old covenant were a symbol and a shadow; according to the reference by the Evangelist St. John, saying: “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1: 17) 1. 1 On Ps. 117. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 104 (St. John Chrysostom) AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 117 LET US ALL BE ONE HOLY CHURCH My soul praises You, O Lord; For all Your benefits toward me; Yes, and I call all the Gentiles with me; To present a praise of thanksgiving for the riches of Your love; My heart will never rest until I see everyone join the heavenly creatures; To become all one holy church; Perpetually meditating in Your love and care. Your mercy, O Lord is the secret of our strength; You liberated us from the bondage of the devil; And made us children of God Your Father; You broke down the gates of Sheol; And You gave us the two wings of the Spirit; To fly and set forth to You; You opened the gates of heaven before us; And presented Your righteousness to be our righteousness; Your truth supports us forever; Glory be to You, O Philanthropic One!
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