Psalm 117
1 From all that dwell below the skies,
Let the Creator’s praise arise;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let the Redeemer’s name be sung
Through ev’ry land by ev’ry tongue.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 In every land begin the song,
To every land the strains belong:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
In cheerful sound all choices raise
And fill the world with joyful praise.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 Your lofty themes, ye mortals, bring,
In songs of praise divinely sing;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The great salvation loud proclaim,
And shout for joy the Saviour’s name.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4 Eternal are Thy mercies Lord;
Eternal truth attends Thy Word;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore
Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Isaac Watts 1719
You can hear the tune, Lasst uns Erfreuen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP0l1Cllmis
Reflection
Let praise come from everywhere, from everyone. In every language. This is praise as it would be in response to the great commission to spread the Good News of Jesus around the globe. This is a Psalm that encourages the embracing of diversity. This is global salvation, for Jews, for Gentiles, for all people in all ages. It is such a simple Psalm, but its very simplicity has power: Praise God for God’s love and faithfulness.
The original Psalm that this hymn is based on is only 2 verses, the shortest Psalm, and if you’re counting the chapters it’s in the very middle of the Bible. Nowhere escapes, nowhere misses out from every shore to every other shore into the far distance, and forever, until the time when any sun anywhere in the entirety of the heavens neither rises nor sets, on the day when heaven encompasses and welcomes all.
Our praise should be joyful and be in our own words, we don’t need to impress God with eloquence. God delights in our simple, innocent and honest delight in all we see God giving to us.
Maybe some of the impact of this Psalm is in what it doesn’t say. There isn’t a mention of doing things that will please God, nor does it list a catalogue of woes, the writer doesn’t ask God for anything, there’s no request to smite any enemies. It is purely and unashamedly devotional.
For those of us who preach or lead any form of worship, let its brevity be a lesson too. There are no wasted words, it gets to the point quickly.
Are we challenged to praise God for God’s love and faithfulness in our day and age?
Prayer
From all that dwells below the skies
Let our prayer & praises rise on high
Hallelujah
Amen