“Praise Him All You Gentiles” Psalm 117

Praise the LORD Another psalm of praise Part of the Hallel (113-118) used in Passover observance and at other times This psalm is shortest Quoted in the New Testament “Hallelujah”

All you Gentiles Major theme of the New Testament – salvation is for all mankind! John 3:16, Titus 2:11, Acts 10:34-35, Matt. 28:18, Gal. 3:27-28 While many Gentiles rejoiced in this, some Jews had difficulty accepting this One approach that Paul and others used was to appeal to the Old Testament and show it as God’s plan

All you Gentiles Romans 15:7-13, esp. vs. 11 Paul is challenging brethren to treat each other properly. His emphasis is that whether Jew or Greek should not matter

All you Gentiles The Old Testament has many passages that looked to salvation available to Gentiles The prophets often sent to other nations – Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Daniel. Others addressed many nations in one form or another

All you Gentiles The Old Testament & Gentiles Genesis 12:3 (cf. Gal. 3:8) 2 Samuel 22:50 (Rom. 15:9) Deuteronomy 32:43 (Rom. 15:10)

All you Gentiles The Old Testament & Gentiles Isaiah 11:10, the Root of Jesse…for the Gentiles shall seek Him Isaiah 49:6, “I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles” Isaiah 62:1-2, “the Gentiles shall see Your righteousness, and all kings Your glory.” Isaiah 66:18,19, all nations and tongues, declare My glory among the Gentiles.

All you Gentiles The Old Testament & Gentiles Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:17-21 spoken to a Jewish audience, BUT consider Romans 10:11-13, spoken to all nations Ephesians 3:1-13 Paul was blessed to reveal the message of Gentile salvation – “according to the eternal purpose”

All you Gentiles One final thought on this Romans 2:12-16, speaks of a law for the Gentiles. God would consider them as those of the Law

All you Gentiles Back to our psalm! In Psalms 111-116 a call for Israel to “praise the LORD”. Now the invitation is extended!

Merciful Kindness His merciful kindness (2) Who is our God? He is merciful – Eph. 2:4 Heb. 2:17, 4:16 James 5:11 1 Peter 2:9-10

Merciful Kindness His merciful kindness (2) He is kind (loving-kindness) Mercy is a product of His kindness – Eph. 2:4, 7 Titus 3:4-6 His merciful kindness is great toward us!

His Truth Endures Forever The truth of the LORD endures forever (2) We have seen His truth fulfilled (concerning the Gentiles) If He has done that, we can believe Him Hebrews 6:13-18 Psalm 110:5, all generations 1 Peter 1:22-25 – His word endures forever John 17:17 – sanctified by His truth

You are included in God’s plans! Will you praise Him?